#high school fleet anime | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

kokoch4n3l · 20 days

Text

DEAD GIRL'S BEACH࿐ྂ KUROKAWA IZANA x f!oc x SANO MANJIRO

THIRTEEN — can't catch me now

"his need for control may stem from underlying fears of abandonment, leading Mr Kurokawa to maintain a tight grip on those around him."—MAYA'S ROUGH NOTES ON K.I

chapter summary: Mikey goes to the Philippines, leaving a trail of bodies behind him. Takemichi returns to the future. Maya keeps her promise to Izana.

warnings: dark content 18+, manga and anime spoilers, multiple character deaths, murder, guns, use of weapons, stabbing, mentions of suicide, blood and gore, depiction of corpses, scars, torture, depiction of wounds, unhealthy attachments, toxic and unhealthy relationships, vomiting, suggestive themes, mental health issues, depression, dark impulses, emotional manipulation, blackmail, corruption, bribery, torture, allusions to sex, suggestive themes, dehumanization, toman + draken slander, slight grandpa sano slander, non-linear narrative in one part, drug use/misuse, mention of overdose, slight emotion incest, funerals, grieving

word count: 13 593

masterlist | previous | bonus 1

The underpass looms overhead like a forgotten relic of urban decay, its walls coated in layers of graffiti and grime. Matsuno Chifuyu stands alone in the dim light, his silhouette cast long against the concrete pavement. He exhales a weary sigh, the weight of the world heavy on his shoulders as he gazes out into the empty expanse before him.

Karma, he thinks bitterly, is nothing more than a fairy tale for the weak-minded. If it were real, Kisaki Tetta would have faced justice long ago for his crimes. But life isn't fair, and justice is a fleeting illusion in a world ruled by power and greed.

Chifuyu's mind drifts back to the events that had led him here, to this empty underpass on a cold, unforgiving night. He remembers the faces of his friends, the ones who had stood by him through thick and thin, the ones who had paid the ultimate price for their loyalty. Baji, Smiley, Angry, Pah-chin, Peh-yan, Hakkai, Kazutora, and now, Maya—they were all gone, lost to him forever in a cruel twist of fate.

They were all gone and now Matsuno Chifuyu stands before Sano "Mikey" Manjiro after 12 years with the muzzle of the latter's gun pointed at him. Chifuyu's heart pounds in his chest as he faces him, his old friend turned bitter enemy. The weight of their shared history hangs heavy in the air, a silent testament to the bonds they once shared and the betrayal that tore them apart. Mikey's gaze is cold and unforgiving, his finger tense on the trigger of the gun and Chifuyu meets his gaze head-on with softness in comparison. He knows that this is the end, that Mikey holds the power to snuff out his life in an instant and he will. Chifuyu knows the cause of his friends' deaths was Mikey. It was obvious, especially with how Kazutora's body was found— stabbed in the same Baji stabbed himself 12 years ago.

Mikey stands before him in black pants, a white shirt and a brown jacket. There is a dragon tattoo on the side of his neck. The tattoo looks fresh. His hair is no longer blonde and tied back like he had it in middle school neither was it short and blonde like it was in high school. His hair is black and styled in a similar way to Baji's. A lump forms in Chifuyu's throat. He can't help but feel a pang of nostalgia for the days when they were just kids, riding their motorcycles through the streets of Tokyo with the wind in their hair and laughter in their hearts. But those days are long gone, replaced by a bitter reality of loss and betrayal.

Mikey's gaze remains cold and distant, his expression unreadable as he holds Chifuyu at gunpoint. There's a tension in the air, thick and suffocating, as the two former friends face each other in the shadowy underpass. Memories of their shared past flood Chifuyu's mind, the good times and the bad, the laughter and the tears.

But there's no room for sentimentality now, not with Mikey's finger hovering dangerously close to the trigger. For a brief moment, Chifuyu sees a glimpse of the boy he once knew buried beneath the layers of anger and resentment. But it's gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced once again by the cold, indifferent facade of the man before him. There is no need to fight. Chifuyu won't try fighting either. Sano Manjiro is here to get something and he will get what he wants like he always does.

Unfortunately, it seems that something is Chifuyu's life.

However, Chifuyu's eyes flutter down toward the necklace Mikey is wearing and his heart drops. Oh. Oh. It's now Chifuyu realizes Maya's necklaces weren't among the retrieved items from her new apartment or the car wreck. It's now he realizes it wasn't a suicide. He was too stupid to figure it out right away— too blinded by his own grief and guilt. The realization hits him like a punch to the gut, leaving him reeling with a sense of profound loss and anger. How could Mikey have done this? How could he have taken Maya away from them, erased her from their lives as if she never existed? The weight of his grief bears down on him, threatening to crush him beneath its suffocating embrace.

He wonders if Maya was tortured to death or if it was quick and painless. He hoped it was painless. Oh god—were the ashes the funeral home gave him even Maya's? Chifuyu can make out a hickey on Mikey's neck and Chifuyu's thoughts run wild with possibilities.

Was Maya alive?

Was she dead?

Why did you kill her Mikey?

There is so much Chifuyu wants to ask as he looks back at Mikey's cold eyes but it all remains unsaid. Instead, he finds himself thinking back to Takemichi and his wild tales of time travel. In their younger years, Chifuyu had found solace in the idea that maybe, just maybe, there was a way to change their fate, to rewrite the tragic events that had torn their lives apart. But as time passed and Takemichi drifted away, those hopes faded into nothing more than childish fantasies. Now, faced with the harsh reality of their situation, Chifuyu can't help but feel a pang of bitterness at the thought of what could have been. Time travel or not, they were trapped in a never-ending cycle of violence and betrayal, with no hope of escape.

In the shadow of uncertainty, with the weight of his grief heavy upon him, Chifuyu finds himself grappling with a newfound sense of acceptance. Death no longer holds the same grip of fear over him that it once did. Instead, it looms before him as a distant inevitability, an end to the suffering and turmoil that has plagued him for so long.

Takemichi's words echo in the recesses of his mind, stirring a flicker of hope amidst the darkness that threatens to consume him. For a brief moment, Chifuyu allows himself to entertain the possibility that maybe, just maybe, there is a chance for redemption, a chance to set right the wrongs of the past. But even as he clings to this fragile hope, Chifuyu knows that the road ahead will be fraught with danger and uncertainty. There are no guarantees, no promises of a happy ending. All he can do is face whatever comes his way with courage and determination. "Got any last words Chifuyu?" Mikey asks

As Mikey's voice cuts through the heavy silence, breaking the tension like a sharp blade, Chifuyu's thoughts are pulled back to the present moment. The cold steel of the gun pressed against his skin serves as a grim reminder of the imminent threat he faces. "do you remember Hanagaki Takemichi?" Chifuyu asks, his voice shaking a little "Someday, he'll come looking for you... He'll be like how he was back then as if he'd travelled through time"

The gun still doesn't move from between his brows as Chifuyu continues. "Look closely into his eyes... His eyes never lie..."

For a moment, time seems to stand still as Mikey's finger on the trigger twitches, the weight of their shared history bearing down upon them. And then, with a final flicker of resolve, Chifuyu utters his last words, a quiet yet resolute plea with tear-filled eyes: "Trust him."

BANG

Mikey's reflection stares back at him with an unsettling emptiness, his gaze fixed on the figure in the mirror as he methodically trims his own hair. Each snip of the scissors echoes through the silent room, punctuated only by the sound of Sanzu's laboured breathing behind him.

Sanzu lies sprawled on the floor, a pool of crimson spreading beneath him like a macabre canvas of despair. His eyes, once filled with unwavering loyalty and devotion, now gaze blankly at the ceiling, a silent testament to the price of allegiance in a world ruled by power and violence.

Mikey's hands move with practiced precision, the sharp blade of the scissors slicing through his hair with a detached sense of detachment. His mind is a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, a tempest of guilt, and regret that threatens to consume him from within. Mikey's hands falter for a moment as he catches sight of Sanzu's prone form in the mirror, his reflection juxtaposed against the stark reality of the scene behind him. But the moment passes as quickly as it came, and he returns his attention to the task at hand with a detached sense of detachment.

There are no words exchanged between them, no last-minute pleas for mercy or forgiveness. Only the quiet acceptance of their roles in this cruel dance of fate played out against the backdrop of their shared history and the bonds that bind them together.

Sanzu Haruchiyo, the man— boy— he scarred as a child over a damn toy airplane. Tore the corners of his mouth and then force him to smile. Oh god, Mikey didn't deserve Haruchiyo. Maybe that's why Mikey killed him. He remembers the boy he used to be, full of mischief and laughter, before the weight of their world came crashing down upon them like a tidal wave. And he remembers Sanzu, always by his side, loyal to a fault, even when Mikey didn't deserve it. Mikey looks away and continue cutting his hair, pushing back the need to vomit when he sees Shinichiro in place of his own reflection. He trembles as he puts down the scissors and pushes his hair back into a middle part in hopes to look different than his deceased older brother.

He does. It works. Mikey doesn't bother to pick his hair off the floor or to get rid of any evidence. Mikey steps away from the mirror, his gaze lingering on his reflection for a moment longer before he turns and walks away, leaving the blood-stained scene behind him without a second glance. The police already know it's him behind the serial murders. There was only so much Tokyo Manji Gang's influence could cover and now that he was off doing what he wanted, people were no longer listening. It would take a while for Izana and Kisaki to realize he was no longer in the country and even longer for the police to figure that out.

Mikey is in the Philippines, the air is warm in comparison to Japan right now. As Mikey steps out into the bustling streets of Manila, he allows himself to breathe, to simply exist in the present moment without the burden of his past weighing him down. The neon lights of the city flicker overhead, casting an ethereal glow over the bustling streets below.

"Hair holds memory. That's why I cut my hair after Chifuyu broke my heart. It made me feel better"

That's what Maya told him. Mikey agreed of course. After Emma died and Izana cut his hair for him, he felt better.

So now that he has murdered all his friends, Mikey cuts his hair again.

He thinks about their deaths for a moment before he leaves the motel.

First came the twins then Peh-yan, followed by Pah-chin. No one fought for their life. Or well they did but Mikey could tell they had already given up the moment they began.

Next came Hakkai. The warehouse he lured him to set ablaze with ease and Hakkai never tried to escape, simply looking up at him with nostalgia.

After that was Kazutora, he fought. Tried telling Mikey that what he was doing wasn't fair after figuring out it was he who was responsible for Maya's death. Kazutora fought back but quickly gave up, bleeding out on the floor of his apartment, staring up at Mikey with eyes filled with sadness.

Then was Chifuyu. A quick shot between the brows and it was done.

Mitsuya was next. He didn't fight much either as Mikey strangled him.

Last was Draken. Stabbed him right through the heart. Draken fought back. Kind of. But he quickly gave in.

Haruchiyo simply kneeled before him the moment Mikey pulled out the gun and pointed it at him.

All of them did.

Why?

Their life was his to keep and his to take.

For Sano "Mikey" Manjiro is the sun, the center of the universe, and like the sun, his gravitational pull is too strong for anyone to resist and too powerful for anyone to survive.

As his vision clears Takemichi looks around. The first thing he does is pat around his pockets to feel for his phone. Seeing it's an iPhone and not a flip phone it confirms he's back in the present. Wednesday, January 10, 2018, 11:47 am. He's come back 12 years to where he belongs. The last time he was here he was in jail which meant the timeline was successfully changed. So, was Hina safe? Chifuyu, Pah-chin, Peh-yan, Draken, Mitsuya? Were they all okay? "Hanagaki-kun?" A female voice says from behind him

Takemichi turns around and sees a girl. She looks familiar but he can't remember exactly where he knows her from. She bows a little. "Thank you very much for coming here during such a busy time" she stands up straight "Please this way"

Upon arrival, Takemichi is greeted by a solemn atmosphere, the weight of grief heavy in the air. His heart quickens as he tries to piece together the puzzle before him. Who is being mourned here? The receptionists look familiar, undoubtedly related to the deceased, but Takemichi's mind struggles to make sense of the situation. "Thank you for coming to my brother's" the girl chokes up "My brother's..."

The second girl takes over. "Please go inside" she directs him

Takemichi's confusion intensifies, his anxiety mounting with each passing moment. But it's when he hears their words— "Keep it together Mana!"

"Sorry Luna" —that a sinking feeling settles in the pit of his stomach.

Luna?

Mana?

Brother...

Takemichi's steps falter as he enters the funeral house, his heart pounding in his chest. And then, he sees it—the altar adorned with candles and flowers, a solemn tribute to the departed. And there, amidst the somber display, is a picture of Mitsuya Takashi.

A funeral honouring the dead.

Takemichi runs. He runs and runs down the streets pulling out his phone to find out what happened. He couldn't talk to Luna and Mana. He had to find Naoto. The internet gives him more questions than answers

Former Tokyo Manji Gang Admin Mitsuya's remains found, murder suspected

Mitsuya-san's Murdered Body Discovered, culprit unknown

The headlines blur before his eyes, each one a stab to his already shattered heart. He doesn't understand. He changed the past—everyone should be alive. But as he searches for Hinata's name, the cruel reality hits him like a freight train. He searches for Hinata's name next.

Tachibana Hinata(26) Dies in Car Accident, Motorcycle Gang Suspected

Hina died the same way. Nothing changed. Takemichi's breath catches in his throat as he grapples with the devastating truth. He's back in the same dingy apartment, the penthouse a distant dream. Something went wrong—no, Takemichi went wrong. The weight of his failure crushes him as he stares at a photo taken with the other Toman captains, a painful reminder of what should have been. His heart hurts. How could this happen? "So here you are," A familiar voice says "I've been looking for you"

Tears fill Takemichi's eyes as he sees Tachibana Naoto come through the door. He stands up and runs toward the younger boy hugging him tight. The memory of his death in the previous time makes him cry and the events of this timeline make him bawl. Once Takemichi has calmed down Naoto starts explaining this future. "You've time-leaped into the past multiple time in your attempt to save my sister. This is the worst future that's happened yet" Naoto tells him "Of course, nē-chan wasn't saved... And all the chief members of Tokyo Manji Gang have been killed"

Takemichi thinks he's going to throw up. "Killed?"

Naoto nods. "Shiba Hakkai burned to death. Mitsuya Takashi strangled. Ryuguji Ken, Stabbed. Matsuno Chifuyu, shot in the head" He pauses "Hayashida Haruki, Hayashi Ryōhei, Kawata Nahoya, Kawata Souya, Shiba Hakkai and Hanemiya Kazutora... Even Kisaki Tetta was killed"

Takemichi lets out a gasp. "Even Kisaki...? Everyone is dead...?"

"The suspect is still at large," Naoto informs him. "We don't even have a clue as to where he might be."

"What about Mikey-kun?! Was Mikey-kun murdered too?! What about him?!" Takemichi's voice trembles with fear.

Naoto hesitates, his gaze falling away. "Mikey..." He takes a deep breath before continuing. "The wanted criminal for these serial murders is Sano Manjiro."

Takemichi is going to be sick. "Could dial down the jokes a freakin' notch? There's no way he'd...!!" Seeing Naoto look away makes Takemichi confront the cruel reality presented toward him "I want to meet Mikey and talk to him"

"Takemichi-kun, I want to know the truth too. You're the one that can do that. As a former Toman admin and the only one still alive. It's only you left who can see him" Naoto tells him

Takemichi doesn't understand. What happened that caused such a great change in the timeline? Everyone was dead. Everyone. "I eliminated the two people who could have caused Toman to go evil. The Black Dragons were defeated and Kisaki got thrown out of Toman! EVERYTHING SHOULD HAVE ENDED UP FINE!!"

Takemichi and Naoto find a letter. It wasn't from Japan but from the Philippines. A conversation with Mikey he had in the past floods through his mind. It was while Mikey was teaching him how to ride the bike he gifted him. The one with the twin engine like his CB250T. Mikey said his brother found it in the Philippines. "Mikey is in the Philippines." Takemichi says firmly

Mikey's past is dotted with countless encounters with pretty girls, and numerous relationships that flickered and faded like distant stars. But amidst the myriad of faces that have come and gone, it's Kaneko Maya who holds a special place in his heart.

Maya wasn't just another conquest or fleeting romance for Mikey. There was something different about her, something that made her stand out from the rest. Perhaps it was her innocence, her vulnerability that drew him in, or maybe it was the way she looked at him with those wide, trusting eyes as if he held the world in his hands and put the stars up in the sky.

Whatever it was, Mikey found himself drawn to Maya in a way he couldn't quite explain. She brought out a side of him that he rarely showed to anyone else—gentle, caring, almost tender. With Maya, he felt a sense of peace and contentment that he had never experienced before.

Maya was gorgeous. Like a doll almost. Those expensive ones Emma used to play with. The limited edition ones with their pretty clothes and perfectly done hair. Maya's skin was perfect even with the faint freckles on her cheeks. Her skin was warm and soft to the touch. Her hair was silky smooth with fluffy curls and her eyes...

Oh her eyes.

Maya's eyes were gorgeous. They were filled with so much emotion— so much love, sadness, grief. He doesn't think he's ever seen more expressive eyes. Or well, he has but that wasn't the point right now.

The point was that he had killed the girl of his dreams. A shot through the heart and she hit the sand with a thud. She didn't move after that. Mikey had dropped the gun and he felt like his own heart was going to stop. It was an accident. He didn't mean to shoot her. She was just running and wouldn't stop after he called for her. It was stupid of him to do so. Maya wouldn't have been able to get anywhere in the first place. There was nothing for miles and just long endless stretches of beaches. He killed her and it was for nothing.

After all, Maya's death was just the beginning. he voice in his head had whispered to him, urging him to rid himself of anyone who might leave him, anyone who might betray him in the future. And he had listened, giving in to the darkness that lurked within him.

The stupid voice in his head won and now he was alone. So, he listened to the voice and killed the rest of his friends too. All the friends that left him. Even Haruchiyo because what if he left him in the future? Sure Haruchiyo stayed but what if he left later? He wouldn't stay forever according to that voice in Mikey's head so he had to kill Haruchiyo before he could leave.

But now, as he stands alone in the aftermath of his own destruction, Mikey can't help but wonder if it was worth it. Was it worth sacrificing everything he held dear for the sake of his own selfish desires? The answer, he knows, is no. Nothing could ever justify what he had done, the lives he had taken, the hearts he had broken.

His fingers curl around the necklace he pulled off her cold dead body— the necklace with the engraving of a daffodil in the pendant. How fucking fitting he took this and not the other one. Daffodils, also known as narcissus, from the Greek mythological story of a young man so beautiful he pined for his own reflection and turned into a daffodil. That whole story showed there was a fine line between love and obsession and it was fucking fitting he took this necklace instead of the one with the butterfly. Mikey was horrible. He was a horrible fucking person.

All his life had been suffering.

From the death of his dad, his mom, Shinichiro, Baji and Emma.

Each time Mikey has been suffering.

He doesn't think he properly mourned Baji or Emma. He wasn't allowed to. It was the curse of being the strongest. When you're at the top, you're alone. Everyone thinks he isn't capable of emotion but he is. Mikey swears he is. He loves everyone. He loves all of them, even the ones he killed.

He loved Maya. Oh god he loved her and she loved him back, didn't she? Mikey finds himself grappling with a different kind of anguish—the anguish of unexpressed love. Maya's absence weighs heavily on his heart, her memory haunting him like a ghost. He replays their moments together in his mind, each one a bittersweet reminder of what could have been.

He loved Maya, of that he's certain. In her, he found a kindred spirit, someone who saw past the facade of the fearsome gang leader to the vulnerable boy beneath. And Maya had shown him a love he had never known before.

But now she's gone, taken from him in a senseless act of violence. And Mikey can't help but wonder if she ever knew how much he truly cared for her. Did she feel the depth of his love, the intensity of his longing? Or did she leave this world believing she was just another casualty in the endless cycle of pain and loss?

The thought gnaws at him, consuming him from the inside out. He wishes he could turn back time, and rewrite the script so he didn't shoot her. But he knows that's just wishful thinking, a futile fantasy in a world where reality reigns supreme.

Mikey thought Izana would be angry. He really did. But as Mikey sobbed Izana had held him silently and ran his fingers through his hair. Izana simply hugged him. For all his faults and flaws, Izana has always been there for Mikey, a steadfast pillar of support in a world filled with chaos and uncertainty.

Everyone left him all while telling him that relying on Izana wasn't a good thing but it wasn't like any of them gave him any other choice. Mikey would have died years ago had it not been for Izana. So why was everyone so mad at him? They did this to him. They didn't let him mourn. They put all the pressure on his shoulders. Everyone had abandoned him, leaving him to shoulder the weight of their expectations and demands alone. They had pushed Mikey to the brink, refusing to acknowledge the toll their actions had taken on his fragile psyche. So why are they blaming him for turning out the way he did when all he was doing was trying his best?

Mikey ran that night with Haruchiyo. Left Okinawa for Tokyo and so began his murder spree. Mikey couldn't get himself to look at Izana, fearing his brother's actual reaction the next morning. What if Izana actually left him this time like he always threatened to do? Mikey couldn't have that so he ran first.

Ending up in Manila and sending Takemichi that letter was a spontaneous decision but he realized there was one more left to kill— the first to leave him.

Takemichi went to the Philippines with Naoto. The letter contained a message and an address. He knew right away it was from Mikey. There was no doubt about it. He was standing in front of the run-down building despite the dangers Naoto told him about. If Mikey killed the others, he could kill him too. But there was no guarantee Mikey was in there. However, if he is then it'll be the first time in any of Takemichi's time leaps to the present that he'll be meeting Mikey. As Takemichi walks through the ruins of the building he wonders what Mikey of the future was like. What was he going to say to him? Mikey no doubt changed after 12 years— he killed everyone so that means something. He might kill Takemichi the second they meet. Takemichi gulps at the thought. He turns the corner and remembers Mikey's words about the engine.

It was beneath a suffocating gray sky. In a building abandoned with the ceiling collapsed under a huge scrap pile.

Looking around Takemichi realizes this was the place Mikey's brother found the CB250T engines. "Takemitchy?" A voice calls startling him

Startled, he followed the sound and there he was—Sano Manjiro. Despite the years that had passed, Mikey's eyes held the same intensity. His appearance had changed—his hair was now black, cut short with an undercut, and he bore Draken's dragon tattoo on the side of his neck and a gold necklace. Mikey exuded maturity and confidence, a stark contrast to the boy Takemichi once knew. Finally, Takemichi stood face-to-face with the future Mikey for the first time since he started time leaping. "Um... Have you been well?" Takemichi stumbled over his words, unsure of what to say.

Mikey's smile was warm and familiar. "Yeah," he replied simply.

Takemichi thinks he's gonna cry. No, he just starts to cry. "I'm sorry" he cried

"Still a crybaby that hasn't changed huh" Mikey says with a smile and stands up "I brought you here because I have a favour to ask you"

"huh?"

"I came here to remember my memories with my big brother. I'm overwhelmed with many memories. When I was young I fought with many people. I learned a few things, laughed, and cried too. That's how I grew with Toman." Mikey smiles sweetly at Takemichi "It makes me nostalgic"

"Mikey" Takemichi whispers

He knew it. Mikey couldn't have killed them. No way. Not after everything. Mikey looks up at the sky. "Toman has changed a lot, Takemitchy" He says "Why did you leave Toman? I wanted us to stay together. I wanted you to stay with me like a big brother would..."

"w-what?"

Takemichi stands in disbelief as he absorbs Mikey's words, his mind reeling with confusion and guilt. How could he have left Toman in this future? The realization hits him like a ton of bricks, a stark reminder of the consequences of his actions and the ripple effect they've had on the lives of everyone around him. "I tried to fix everything by myself. Tried to save her. But I couldn't control everything. I'm never gonna be like I was in the past" Mikey says with a solemn look on his face

Takemichi's breath catches in his throat as he listens to Mikey's solemn words, each syllable weighing heavily on his conscience like a leaden burden. The gravity of the situation dawns on him with crushing force, the realization that his actions have altered the course of fate sinking in deeper with each passing moment. "Mikey, what do you mean?"

Mikey's gaze is piercing, his eyes reflecting the weight of the burden he carries. "I tried to stop you from quitting Toman but Ken-chin and Mitsuya stopped me"

Takemichi feels sick again. "That means that... Those two..."

"They were the last to leave Toman and I'm the one who killed everyone. That Toman no longer exists. The guys are... and everyone... I killed them" Mikey tells him "That's why I want you to stop me. Kill me Takemitchy. I want it to all end here"

Takemichi's mind races as he grapples with the enormity of Mikey's request. Kill him? The thought is unimaginable, unthinkable. But as he looks into Mikey's eyes, he sees the pain and anguish that he carries, the burden of his past sins weighing heavily upon him. "What are you talking about, Mikey? Stop. I don't get it," Takemichi stammers, his voice trembling with emotion. Tears blur his vision as he looks into Mikey's piercing gaze, searching for answers in the depths of those haunted eyes. "You ask me to kill you right after we meet. But me, I just wanted to see you again."

"I just wanted to see you again" Mikey repeats, his voice tinged with a macabre sort of melancholy. "Hakkai also said something like that the moment he died"

"The moment he was dying...?" he echoes, his voice barely a whisper as the weight of Mikey's words settles like a stone in the pit of his stomach.

Mikey's gaze drifts upward, his eyes fixated on the vast expanse of the sky above them. "It's hard to achieve his dream," he murmurs, his voice heavy with resignation. "Open a new era. Toman was on the right track, and suddenly everything ended like this."

"Like... this?" Takemichi's voice trembles with uncertainty as he seeks clarification, his heart pounding with apprehension.

Mikey's lips curl into a bitter smile, but there's a glint of something unsettling in his eyes. "When I killed for the first time, I didn't feel anything," he confesses, his words laced with a chilling nonchalance. "And I thought that the difficulties of this world can be fixed with murder. All is well when you eliminate those who get in your way."

The casualness with which Mikey speaks of murder sends a shiver down Takemichi's spine. Anger boils within him, fueling a surge of defiance as he confronts his former friend. "This isn't right!" Takemichi's voice rises in protest, his fists clenching in frustration. "You can't just—"

Before Takemichi can finish his sentence, Mikey lunges forward, seizing the front of Takemichi's shirt and slamming him forcefully into the rubble below. The impact knocks the breath from Takemichi's lungs, leaving him gasping for air as he stares up at Mikey in shock. "What part of this do you not understand?" Mikey's voice is low and menacing, his grip tightening on Takemichi's shirt. He presses the cold muzzle of a gun against Takemichi's cheek, the metal chilling against his skin. "Take that gun, Takemichi. If you don't kill me, you'll be the one that dies."

Takemichi's tear-filled eyes reflect the turmoil raging within him, but before he can even process the overwhelming emotions, he notices tears cascading down Mikey's face. The rhythmic pattern of tears falling on Takemichi's cheeks echoes in the tense silence, each drop a poignant reminder of the anguish they both carry. As Mikey gazes down at Takemichi, his tear-streaked face is a portrait of sorrow and regret. Despite the gravity of the situation, Takemichi remains frozen, his gaze fixed on Mikey's trembling form. The gun lies untouched beside him, a silent witness to the heart-wrenching scene unfolding before him. "We can't go back in time," Mikey's voice is heavy with resignation, the words hanging in the air like an unspoken truth.

And then, in a sudden motion, he collapses to his side, the sound of a gunshot ringing out through the desolate surroundings. "Are you okay, Takemichi?!" Naoto's voice pierces through the chaos, his concern palpable as he rushes to Takemichi's side.

Shock and disbelief grip Takemichi as he registers the scene before him. Blood stains the ground, a crimson pool forming around Mikey's motionless form. Naoto's gun trembles in his hand, the realization of what he's done sinking in. "Mikey!!" Takemichi's voice is raw with panic and desperation as he scrambles to Mikey's side, his hands trembling as he reaches out to his fallen friend.

"TAKEMICHI, DON'T GO NEAR HIM!!" Naoto's voice rings out in a frantic plea, the urgency clear in his tone. But his words hang in the air, halted by the sight of the gun that lies discarded at Mikey's side.

The safety catch remains engaged—a small detail that sends a shiver of realization down Naoto's spine. "He never... intended to kill him?" Naoto's voice wavers with horror as the implications of the situation begin to dawn on him.

Meanwhile, Takemichi's cries echo through the desolate surroundings as he kneels beside Mikey's growingly cold body, his grief palpable in the air. "Tachibana Naoto..." Mikey's voice is weak, barely a whisper in the stillness. "Takemichi would've never been able to kill me."

The weight of Mikey's words hangs heavy in the air, each syllable laden with the weight of a lifetime of suffering. Takemichi's breath comes in ragged gasps as he struggles to process the enormity of the moment. "No, Mikey! Don't say that!" Takemichi's voice trembles with desperation, tears streaming down his face. "I can still change it. I can change the past. I can start all over again! I would do anything to change the future. I don't want to... I'm not gonna give up! Don't say such sad things."

A bittersweet smile graces Mikey's lips, his gaze distant as his strength begins to wane. "Thanks, Takemitchy," he murmurs softly, his words tinged with gratitude. "Your words comforted me. Even if you're telling me lies... I'm happy." As the cold embrace of death envelops him, Mikey's voice grows faint. "Takemitchy... Your hand is... so warm. Just like hers."

And with those final words, the chapter of Sano Manjiro's life comes to a close. On January 20th, 2018, amidst an altercation with a Japanese police officer, Tachibana Naoto, in Manila, Philippines, Sano Manjiro breathed his last breath, leaving behind a legacy of pain, regret, and untold stories.

On January 20th, 2018, Hanagaki Takemichi goes back to the past.

Now back in Japan, as Naoto sifts through the evidence, a heavyweight settles in his chest. The scene is eerily reminiscent of the others he's investigated, each one bearing the same haunting resemblance—a life cut short, a story left unfinished. Sanzu Haruchiyo's body lies in stark contrast to the chaos that often accompanies violent crimes. There are no signs of struggle, no desperate attempt to fight for survival. Instead, there's a sense of resignation, an acceptance of fate that speaks volumes about the relationship between Sanzu and Manjiro.

Naoto's mind races as he contemplates the implications of what he's uncovered. Sanzu, the most loyal of them all, had met his end at the hands of his childhood friend, Sano Manjiro. It's a grim reality that Naoto struggles to come to terms with—a testament to the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of even the closest relationships.

He remembers all the times he met Sano Manjiro as a kid, finding the older man too childish to be a leader. But now, now he can believe it. Now, the invincible Mikey lies in the morgue in the basement of the hospital, waiting for his family to come and claim his body, but not without taking a few lives before that.

Mikey's demise was not the result of a violent struggle or a battle with a formidable adversary. Instead, it was a deliberate choice—a final act of defiance in the face of a world that had grown increasingly dark and unforgiving.

What exactly was it that made Mikey want to die so bad?

So many questions but so few answers. It's then that Naoto's eyes shift onto something glimmering among the evidence. It feels like his heart is in his throat as he picks up the plastic baggie in the tray with Mikey's wallet and other belongings. His fingers tremble as he puts on latex gloves and opens up the translucent bag and pulls the gold necklace out. Naoto's eyes drift over to the report from the Diener saying that this necklace is what Sano Manjiro was wearing. Naoto feels sick. He knows it. He recognizes it. It was hard not to since it wasn't among the evidence retrieved with Maya's body—

—so what the fuck was it doing around Sano Manjiro's neck?

Naoto's mind races with a flurry of unanswered questions as he stares at the gold necklace clutched tightly in his gloved hand. The glimmering pendant seems to taunt him, a silent reminder of the mysteries that still shroud Mikey's final moments. With trembling fingers, Naoto carefully examines the necklace, his heart pounding in his chest as he tries to make sense of the unsettling discovery. How could Mikey, the enigmatic leader of the Tokyo Manji Gang, be connected to Maya's necklace? And more importantly, what could it possibly signify?

As he scrutinizes the intricate design and delicate craftsmanship, memories of Maya flood Naoto's mind—her gentle smile, her laughter, the warmth of her embrace. But now, as Naoto stands on the precipice of a chilling revelation, he can't shake the gnawing sense of dread that grips him. There's something deeply unsettling about the idea of Mikey wearing Maya's necklace, something that hints at a connection far more sinister than he dares to imagine.

Was he right then? Was that body they mourned not Maya's but someone else's? Had Maya really been alive this whole time?

There is a sense of accomplishment in Naoto for knowing his gut feeling had been right about Tokyo Manji Gang being involved in Maya's disappearance but he feels queasy again realizing he was right.

Maya was alive and she had been taken by the Tokyo Manji Gang.

The bile that rises in Naoto's throat is not just from the grim realization of Maya's fate but also from the haunting possibilities of what she might have endured at the hands of her captors. The mere thought of her suffering sends a shiver down his spine.

Sano "Mikey" Manjiro is dead and he just murdered all his friends. He doubts Maya is still alive. She may have been before but not anymore. She couldn't be. If Sano Manjiro died wearing her necklace, there was no way Kaneko Maya was still alive. Tears well up in his eyes. Naoto hadn't cried when Maya's 'body' was discovered. Back then even before he found out that her necklaces were among the belongings, perhaps he had a gut feeling that wasn't her. But now he knows she's dead.

As Naoto grapples with the grim reality of Maya's fate, a heavyweight settles in his chest, suffocating him with a sense of overwhelming grief and despair. The thought that Maya may have endured unimaginable suffering at the hands of her captors is almost too much to bear, threatening to crush him beneath its crushing weight.

Sano "Mikey" Manjiro's death and the revelation of his heinous actions only add to Naoto's anguish. The fact that he wore Maya's necklace in his final moments serves as a chilling reminder of the darkness that had consumed him, a darkness that ultimately led to the demise of not only Maya but also all of their friends.

Tears blur Naoto's vision as he struggles to come to terms with the devastating truth. He had hoped against hope that Maya might still be alive, clinging to the faint possibility that she had somehow survived the ordeal. But now, faced with the undeniable evidence of her death, he feels a profound sense of loss and regret wash over him.

As Naoto sifts through the evidence, his mind races with questions, each one more unsettling than the last. What could have led Maya into the clutches of someone like Sano Manjiro and the Tokyo Manji Gang? Had she unknowingly crossed paths with dangerous individuals, or was there something more sinister at play?

The faded love bites and scratches on Mikey's body only serve to deepen the mystery, hinting at a tumultuous and perhaps intimate relationship between him and Maya. But the thought of Maya being subjected to such treatment fills Naoto with a profound sense of unease and disgust. It's a possibility he can barely bring himself to contemplate. Perhaps Maya had stumbled into the gang's territory by accident, or maybe she had been targeted for some other reason altogether. Whatever the case, the mere thought of her being caught up in the violent world of the Tokyo Manji Gang sends a chill down Naoto's spine.

Just what had his sister and Maya done for them to deserve death?

Takemichi comes back to the future barely a week later with news. "I see... So if Kisaki truly is a timeleaper... We have to kill him" Naoto says lowly with a dark look on his face

Takemichi had explained his theory of Kisaki Tetta possibly being a timeleaper but this surely wasn't what he expected to hear back from Naoto. "Eh? B-But Naoto—"

"There's no point in all this if he keeps messing up the things you've fixed" Naoto says seriously, leaning back in his chair "Therefore killing him in the past is the only way"

Takemichi's breath catches in his throat, his mind reeling at the implications of Naoto's words. The idea of taking a life, even Kisaki's, fills him with a profound sense of dread and unease. "No way!"

"I'm kidding" he says dismissively, but Takemichi can't shake the feeling that there's truth in his words.

"Naoto! Can you please read the situation?!"

As Naoto rises from his chair, the creak of the furniture echoes through the room, adding to the heavy atmosphere that surrounds them. Takemichi's gaze follows Naoto's movements, his heart pounding with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. The whiteboard looms before them, a visual representation of their investigation, adorned with a collage of photographs, newspaper clippings, and scattered notes. "I wonder what the hell Kisaki was aiming for..." Naoto's voice is a low murmur, barely audible above the sound of their own breathing.

His brow furrows in concentration as he studies the array of evidence before him, his fingers tracing over the photographs and articles with a sense of purpose. Takemichi's eyes flicker across the whiteboard, searching for any clues that might shed light on Kisaki's motives. And then, amidst the chaos of images and text, something catches his eye—a photograph of a girl, tucked away in the corner of the board, connected to Mikey's picture by a drawn arrow. The girl in the photo has an ethereal beauty, with porcelain skin, piercing blue eyes, and long, black hair cascading around her shoulders. Despite the solemnity of the situation, her radiant smile seems to leap off the page, drawing Takemichi's attention like a magnet. "Kaneko... Maya...?" Takemichi's voice is tinged with confusion and concern as he points to the photograph.

His mind races with questions, wondering who this girl is and what connection she has to their investigation since he doesn't remember meeting anyone with that name in the past. Naoto's frown deepens, his expression growing sombre as he meets Takemichi's gaze. "Just a casualty of this timeline," he replies gravely, his voice heavy with regret. "She was never a part of the other timelines, so you don't have to worry about her."

Takemichi's heart sinks at Naoto's words, a pang of sadness washing over him as he realizes the tragic fate that has befallen this unknown girl. Despite his relief that she wasn't involved in their past endeavours, the knowledge that she had become a victim of the tangled web of events in this timeline only serves to deepen his sense of despair. Takemichi's eyes dart back to the whiteboard, scanning the array of cut-outs and clippings with a newfound intensity. Among the myriad of images, another photograph catches his attention—a striking portrait of a man with an enigmatic gaze and an air of undeniable charisma. Beneath the image, the name "Kurokawa Izana" is printed in bold letters, sending a ripple of recognition through Takemichi's mind.

"Kurokawa... Izana?" Takemichi murmurs to himself, his brow furrowing in perplexity as he tries to piece together the puzzle before him.

The name triggers a memory, a fragment of a conversation from a past encounter that resurfaces in his mind with startling clarity. He recalls the warehouse in Yokohama, the chaotic scene unfolding before him as Tenjiku's assault on Toman Division reaches its peak. Amidst the chaos, a fleeting mention of a certain Kurokawa Izana lingers in Takemichi's memory, a name uttered in hushed tones by Kakucho, as if shrouded in secrecy and intrigue. "Kurokawa Izana... Tenjiku's leader?" Takemichi's voice is laced with confusion as he speaks aloud, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to slot into place in his mind.

Turning to Naoto for answers, Takemichi seeks clarification on the identity of this mysterious figure. "Naoto, who's Kurokawa Izana?" he inquires, his tone tinged with a sense of urgency.

Naoto's response is swift, his voice carrying a note of authority as he imparts his knowledge on the subject. "Oh, he's one of Toman's top brass. I heard he was Black Dragon's leader too," Naoto explains, his words punctuated by a furrow of his brows as he contemplates the significance of this revelation.

Takemichi's confusion deepens at Naoto's words, his mind struggling to reconcile the conflicting information. "But there are no records of a gang called Tenjiku" Naoto continues, his expression betraying a hint of frustration at the lack of clarity surrounding the situation.

Takemichi feels a surge of frustration welling up within him, a sense of helplessness washing over him as he grapples with the discrepancies between the past and present. The information he possesses from his previous experiences feels obsolete in the face of this new reality. "If you're saying in the past this guy is Tenjiku's captain then it seems that he's important to investigate on" Naoto says in a serious tone and Takemichi agrees

Takemichi and Naoto part ways after that to get some clues. It's how he ended up at the Church where he fought Shiba Taiju. He was wondering what Inupi and Koko were doing and it eventually led him to said church. He met Taiju there and asked to talk to him. Takemichi called Naoto up and Naoto showed up at the Church. They end up at a restaurant Taiju owned. "listen here" Tajiu says "I don't give a shit about cooperating with the cops but through Hakkai, I too have connections with Toman. So it's an exchange of information. I want to know what the cops know as well. Whatever we discuss stays here"

"Understood" Naoto replies with a respectful nod, his demeanor serious and attentive.

"So... You want to know about Kurokawa Izana and the Black Dragons right?" Taiju asks

"Kurokawa Izana is the captain of Tenjiku isn't he?" Takemichi ventures, seeking clarification on the matter "Why did he become Black Dragons Captain and how did he end up in Toman?"

Taiju's laughter rings out, accompanied by the soft glow of his cigarette. "You're mistaken"

Takemichi cocks his head like a puppy in confusion. "eh?"

"You got it in the wrong order" Taiju blows out a puff of smoke "First let's start with Black Dragons. I was the commander of the 10th generation, you remember that much right?"

"yes"

"Do you know who created Black Dragons?" Taiju asks and takes another drag of his cigarette

"Who?" Takemichi is going to be honest, he didn't know much about gangs, not even the one he was in

"The first-generation captain is Sano Shinichiro," Taiju reveals, his voice tinged with a note of reverence as he speaks of the gang's origins. "The one that started it all was Mikey's brother."

Takemichi's eyes widen in astonishment at the revelation, his mind racing to process the implications of Taiju's words. "Mikey's brother?" he echoes, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to fall into place in his mind.

As memories of Mikey's anecdotes about his brother flood his thoughts, Takemichi finds himself grappling with the weight of this newfound knowledge. "The first generation of Black Dragons was legendary," Taiju continues, his voice tinged with a sense of reverence for the gang's storied history. "The second and third generations continue to hold that. Eventually, the baton was passed down to Kurokawa Izana, the eighth-generation captain."

"The eighth generation... That means he was there before you," Takemichi observes, his mind racing to connect the dots between the past and present.

Toman was formed when the ninth generation was around, which meant the eighth generation predates the gang's inception. "So, Kurokawa Izana must be older than you," Takemichi concludes, his tone tinged with a sense of realization as he pieces together the timeline of events.

"Yup, two years older, the S62 generation," Taiju confirms, his voice carrying a note of authority as he elaborates on the gang's hierarchical structure.

The mention of the S62 generation triggers a flicker of recognition in Takemichi's mind, a realization dawning upon him with startling clarity. "S62? Tenjiku's members!" he exclaims, his eyes widening in realization as the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.

"Kurokawa Izana retired from Black Dragons and made Tenjiku three years later," Taiju continues, his voice tinged with a note of solemnity as he recounts the events that shaped the gang's tumultuous history. "Fucked Toman over, and then the Kanto Incident happened."

Kanto Incident. Kisaki said that to him at the beginning of Tenjiku's ambushes 12 years ago. "Who won, Toman or Tenjiku?" he inquires, his voice tinged with a sense of trepidation as he braces himself for the answer.

Taiju's response is grim, his expression clouded with a shadow of regret as he recounts the outcome of the fateful confrontation. "You should know since you were there, but I'll answer your question anyway," he replies, his tone tinged with a note of resignation. "Tenjiku won. As a result, Sano Manjiro at the top, Kisaki Tetta as number two, and Kurokawa Izana as number three..."

The revelation sends a chill down Takemichi's spine, his mind reeling with the implications of Taiju's words. "But yeah, Kisaki is dead," he interjects, a note of uncertainty creeping into his voice as he attempts to reconcile the conflicting reports surrounding Kisaki's fate.

Taiju's response is cryptic, his gaze lingering on Takemichi with an intensity that borders on scrutiny. "Is he really dead, Tachibana Naoto?" he muses, his words laced with an undercurrent of skepticism.

Naoto's expression tightens, a flicker of unease crossing his features as he weighs his response carefully. "I've investigated things about Kurokawa Izana," he begins, his voice measured as he addresses the looming spectre of uncertainty. "He somehow has a huge amount of influence in the police. Kurokawa is much bigger than we first thought."

Taiju's chuckle is mirthless, a sardonic twist of his lips betraying his amusement at the irony of the situation. "Kisaki was made to be dead, right?"

"Murder, assault, theft. Kisaki was alleged with various crimes, so he escaped overseas. It seems there was a body prepared to pose as Kisaki," Naoto explains, his words punctuated by a nervous gesture as he rubs his palms against his trousers.

"S-so Kisaki is..."

"Alive" Taiju confirms, his voice devoid of emotion as he extinguishes his cigarette in the ashtray with a decisive flick of his wrist.

With a heavy sigh, Takemichi absorbs the weight of this revelation, his mind swirling with a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. "Sano is dead. Kisaki is overseas, and therefore Toman's top is now Kurokawa Izana" Taiju concludes, his tone matter-of-fact as he summarizes the current state of affairs.

Takemichi's fingers tighten around the photograph of Kurokawa Izana, his features contorted in a mask of anger and frustration. "Why him?" he demands, his voice tinged with a note of incredulity as he struggles to comprehend the inexplicable allure of this enigmatic figure.

A dark look passes over Taiju's features, a shadow of regret clouding his expression as he contemplates the question. "I don't know," he admits, his voice tinged with a note of resignation. "But Sano trusted Izana more than Ryuguji Ken."

Takemichi's mind reels at the revelation, his thoughts swirling with confusion and disbelief. Mikey trusting someone over Draken? It sounded inconceivable, a betrayal of everything Takemichi had come to believe about the unshakeable bond between the two friends. As he grapples with the implications of Taiju's words, Takemichi is left to ponder the enigma of Kurokawa Izana—a figure shrouded in mystery and intrigue, whose influence extends far beyond the confines of Toman's hierarchy. Just who the hell was Kurokawa Izana, and what role did he play in the tangled web of alliances and betrayals that defined the world of gang warfare? "Well, well, well!" A familiar voice rings out, drawing the attention of the trio. "If it isn't both my former bosses? Having a private conversation, are we? That sucks."

It's Koko and Inupi, their presence igniting a spark of tension in the air. Taiju's anger simmers just beneath the surface at their unexpected intrusion. "You fuckers bringing Toman's minions into my place! What do you want?!" he growls, his voice laced with a palpable edge.

Inupi's voice remains devoid of emotion as he delivers their ominous message. "Under Kurokawa's orders, we've come to seize you all," he states matter-of-factly, his words carrying the weight of authority.

Koko, on the other hand, wears a smug grin, his eyes gleaming with malice. "There's a sneaky rat from the police sniffing around, I see... Sitting face to face with my former leaders" he taunts, relishing in the discomfort he elicits.

"You guys are prying into Kurokawa Izana, and therefore, you are all Toman's enemies" Inupi declares, his tone betraying no hint of sympathy or remorse.

Taiju's laughter cuts through the tension like a knife, his sadistic grin sending shivers down Takemichi's spine. "You guys, my enemies?" he scoffs, his voice dripping with disdain. "The guy who has clung onto Black Dragons and Black Dragon's wallet! Does Izana meet your requirements, Inui?! And are you still Toman's fucking wallet, Kokonoi?!"

The situation feels dire, with so many men from Toman surrounding them. Takemichi knows that fighting and winning would be impossible. If what Naoto said about the police being corrupted by Kurokawa is true, then calling for backup would be futile as well. "Hanagaki, escape from the back door..." Taiju's voice cuts through the chaos, his gaze flickering to Takemichi "Tachibana Naoto, please tell me the truth about Hakkai's death. I don't believe Sano did it. I don't know how he ended up at Sano's hideout, but I'm sure Izana was behind it. Please clear Hakkai's regrets."

Takemichi's heart clenches at the plea in Taiju's words, a surge of determination coursing through his veins as he resolves to uncover the truth behind Hakkai's demise. With a nod of affirmation, he meets Taiju's gaze, silently vowing to honour his request and bring closure to the lingering shadows of the past. "Taiju," Takemichi calls out over his shoulder as Naoto begins to pull him away, a sense of gratitude swelling within him. "Thank you for everything."

Taiju's response comes in the form of a gentle smile, a silent acknowledgment of their unspoken bond. "It's my debt to you," he replies, his voice carrying a weight of sincerity that resonates deeply with Takemichi.

With a nod of appreciation, Takemichi and Naoto break into a sprint, their footsteps echoing through the empty alleyways as they make their way towards Naoto's car. But amidst the rush of adrenaline, Takemichi's mind churns with thoughts and revelations. The mention of Black Dragons and their enigmatic leader, Kurokawa Izana, triggers a sudden realization within Takemichi. Inupi and Koko, with their ties to Toman and the underworld, could hold the key to unravelling the mysteries surrounding Izana and the Kanto incident. "NAOTO!" Takemichi's voice rings out, cutting through the heavy breaths of their hurried escape.

Naoto halts, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. "What's wrong, Takemichi?" he inquires, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.

"I think we should go back," Takemichi declares firmly, his eyes ablaze with determination. "They both know more. I want to know more about the Kanto incident. I'll go back."

Without waiting for Naoto's response, Takemichi pivots on his heel and races back towards the fray, his heart pounding in his chest with a newfound resolve. Naoto's voice cuts through the air, halting his sprint. "Takemichi..."

The glint of metal catches Naoto's eye first, a chilling premonition of danger. Reacting on pure instinct, Naoto lunges forward, pushing Takemichi out of harm's way just as the trigger is pulled. The deafening crack of gunfire fills the alley, followed by a sharp cry of pain as Naoto takes the bullet intended for his friend, his body jolting from the impact before collapsing to the ground. "Takemichi..." Naoto's voice wavers, strained with agony, as he lies in a growing pool of crimson, his strength ebbing away with each passing moment.

Takemichi's heart clenches with fear and despair at the sight of his injured friend. "N... Naoto," he whispers hoarsely, his voice choked with emotion as he rushes to kneel by Naoto's side, cradling him in his arms.

"Hang in there!" Takemichi pleads, his hands trembling as he desperately tries to stem the flow of blood.

But Naoto, his face contorted with pain, offers a weak smile. "Run" he grits out through clenched teeth, his voice barely a whisper.

Takemichi's eyes well up with tears, his heart breaking at the sight of his friend's suffering. "No, I can't leave you!" he protests, refusing to abandon Naoto in his time of need.

However, Kisaki's cold laughter echoes through the alley, a sinister presence looming at its entrance. "Hmph," he sneers, his expression twisted with malice. "That was a bad choice."

With Naoto's limp form cradled against his chest, Takemichi braces himself for whatever horrors await them, his resolve steeling as he prepares to face the looming threat head-on. Amidst the chaos of the alleyway, a new voice slices through the tension like a knife. "Oi, oi, oi," it rings out, masculine and unfamiliar. "Tachibana Naoto was mine to kill."

Takemichi's heart pounds in his chest as he turns to face the source of the voice, his eyes widening in disbelief. Standing before him is a figure shrouded in darkness, exuding an aura of menace that sends shivers down Takemichi's spine. White hair frames a face etched with malice, and piercing eyes gleam with a predatory light. This must be Izana, the sinister force behind the chaos that has engulfed their lives. Kisaki's laughter cuts through the tense atmosphere, his voice laced with amusement. "Sorry, Izana," he replies casually. "This fucker pushed Takemichi out of the way."

The mention of Izana's name sends a chill down Takemichi's spine. This is the man who is responsible for so much suffering. "You guys killed my Mikey" Izana growls, his voice dripping with malice.

Takemichi's blood runs cold at the mention of Mikey, his mind reeling with disbelief. "My Mikey?" he whispers, the words barely escaping his lips.

But before he can process the implications of Izana's words, another figure emerges from the shadows. It's Kakucho, his presence commanding and authoritative. Takemichi's heart sinks as he realizes the danger he's in. "Kill him" Izana commands, his voice devoid of emotion as he turns away, leaving Kakucho to carry out his orders.

Tears well up in Takemichi's eyes as Kakucho levels his gun, the weight of his impending doom crashing down upon him. "Kaku-chan" he chokes out, his voice trembling with fear and desperation.

In the face of imminent death, Kakucho hesitates, his resolve momentarily faltering at the unexpected nickname. But duty compels him forward, and he pulls the trigger without hesitation. Pain sears through Takemichi's body, a white-hot agony that threatens to consume him. "I'm sorry, Naoto," Takemichi gasps, his voice choked with pain and regret. "I'm sorry."

Naoto's gaze is steady, even as his life ebbs away. He begins to speak, his words heavy with finality. "When I first found you in the future timeline, you got me depressed," he admits, and Takemichi's heart clenches at the confession. "I thought to myself, can this pathetic wimp really commit to all this?... I thought about how my sister could fall in love with you."

Takemichi listens, his heart breaking with each word, but he finds no anger in Naoto's honesty. Instead, there's a strange sense of acceptance, a recognition of their shared journey. "Now that I think of it," Naoto continues, "no matter how much you failed, you always came back to me. That's how a hero would act like... You never gave up when you've failed so many times."

Tears stream down Takemichi's face as he listens to Naoto's final words. "Takemichi-kun," Naoto says, his voice growing faint. "You are my pride."

"Naoto..." Takemichi whispers, his voice choked with emotion.

"This is our final handshake," Naoto says, reaching out his hand.

Takemichi grasps Naoto's hand tightly, his fingers trembling with grief and determination. This wouldn't be the end. He would rewrite this tragedy, undo the pain and suffering that had brought them to this moment. He would save Hina, Mikey, Mitsuya, Draken, Chifuyu, and everyone else.

With a silent vow, Takemichi swears to himself that he will rewrite this fate, even if he must endure endless cycles of suffering to do so.

As Takemichi travels back to the past, Naoto is still clinging to his last few breaths. Kisaki, Kakucho and Izana are still there in the alleyway talking amongst themselves, probably waiting for the clean-up crew. "W-What did he want with her?" Naoto choked out, trying to lift his head off the ground to look at them

It didn't take a genius to understand he was talking about Maya. Izana grins and steps out of the alleyway, standing over Naoto's body. Something slides out of the front of Izana's coat. Maya's other necklace dangles over Naoto's face as it was strung around Izana's neck. Oh. Oh no. Naoto feels tears well up in his eyes. What he was thinking earlier was nothing compared to reality. "She was cute. That's all" Izana says with a lazy tone "It's too bad she had to die"

He feels sick. So so sick. Something way worse happened to Maya than he thought. "She was adorable, Tachibana. Had her with me while you were running around like an idiot looking for her" Izana taunts as he crouches down over him and pulls the necklace off, dangling it over his face "Sweetest thing I've ever met"

Thing. Izana was talking about Maya like she was an object. Naoto can't do anything but breathe heavily like he just ran a marathon. He's dying. The gunshot wound in his torso is hot and his clothes are quickly soaking with his blood. Maya had been alive this whole time and with the way Izana is talking about her it seems she died recently. Izana leans closer and whispers "made the sweetest sounds when I fucked her too... Would've loved to take her virginity but it's too bad Matsuno beat me to it."

Naoto's eyes widen. Oh god. He feels like he'll vomit. "it's too bad my little bunny died" Izana says then stands back up, fastening the necklace around his neck again

Izana walks away from him and as Naoto takes his last breaths he hopes that this time, Takemichi is successful.

Izana's first memory of the Sano house was of meeting Sano Mansaku. The short old man simply raised a brow and asked who he was. Izana just shrugged and told him his name and the old man scoffed and told him Mikey was in the shed. Izana couldn't help but roll his eyes at the man before heading over to the shed. It had been months since the Kanto incident back then and there was no sign of Mikey since Emma's funeral. Tokyo Manji Gang was currently under the supervision of Draken who hadn't even bothered to come to the Sano residence to check up on Mikey. Izana thought that was fucking stupid. His plan couldn't come into action if Mikey was missing. So he showed up at the Sano residence and immediately felt sick at the thought of Emma running around the yard he was currently walking in and Shinichiro sitting on the deck smoking.

As he made his way into the shed he felt gross. The shed was turned into a room with a vibe too old for someone 15. Everything in the shed belonged to Shinichiro. Izana without a word made his way over to the lump beneath the blanket on the twin-size bed and pulled the covers off Mikey to a sight he hadn't expected. Mikey had gotten significantly skinnier, looked like he hadn't showered or eaten in ages and his blonde hair was matted and tangled. Izana remembers feeling sick to his stomach as he forcibly pulled Mikey out of bed. Izana had to stop himself from shaking when he felt how frail Mikey was. This was not the Invincible Mikey he watched take Shion down back during the reign of the 9th gen Black Dragons. No, this was a weak sad kid who looked like he was seconds away from death.

As much as Izana hated him, he couldn't let him die either. That would mean he came this far for nothing. So as he drags Mikey into the main house he sees Sanzu who's cooking, probably to coax Mikey to eat. Sanzo goes wide-eyed at the sight of him and Mikey and Izana just pushes Mikey into the bathroom and has to bathe him. After that Izana spends time to try and fix Mikey's hair while Sanzu sits in front of Mikey and feeds him by hand. His hair was way too matted and barely salvageable. He cuts off what he can't untangle and Mikey ends up with short hair and throws up what he ate at the sight of himself in the mirror. It seems Mikey kept his hair long for a reason. He couldn't bear to see Shinichiro staring back at him the mirror even if it was with different coloured hair.

It wasn't hard for Izana to whisper suggestions into his ear and even easier for Mikey to listen and merge Tenjiku and Toman together.

What Izana hadn't expected or realized was that Mikey genuinely saw him as his big brother. It made Izana sick to his stomach but also gleeful.

How easy it was going to be to make him suffer.

The members of the Tokyo Manji Gang made it even easier. One by one, starting from that little shit Hanagaki Takemichi, they started leaving Mikey after absolutely berating him.

Mikey of course was devastated. Bawling his eyes out in Izana's chest each time someone left. Mikey was completely dependent on him and Izana loved it. All he had to do was act like a loving older brother and Mikey would do whatever he asked. Only, Izana hadn't expected Mikey to barge into his room in the middle of the night looking for comfort because he could still feel Emma taking her last breath and her heart stop.

Mikey would cry in his sleep— sob, whimper and beg. Sometimes it was for Shinichiro but most of the time it was for Emma to wake up. It was hard for Izana to ignore it. He wasn't sure what to do. Kakucho told him he needed to comfort Mikey so Izana did. Izana told Mikey he would never leave him but simultaneously told Mikey to listen to him or else he would leave. Of course, Mikey complied, clinging tightly to Izana in fear he would actually leave.

As Mikey grew older he really started to look like Shinichiro, even though at first Izana liked it. He liked that he got his big brother back in some form. Mikey dyed his hair black, the same shade as Shinichiro's too. But eventually, it started making both him and Mikey sick. So when Mikey started growing it out again and wearing it all messy in front of his eyes, Izana didn't stop him nor tell him to fix his hair. After all, it wasn't healthy for Mikey to keep throwing up every time he looked at himself in the mirror.

Perhaps over the years, Izana began to actually become fond of Mikey. Listening to him mumble a little "I love you Aniki, good night" before bed and ask for random things. Izana had become fond of him. Izana wonders if Mikey knew that he had in fact begun to love him and didn't see him as a simple tool. But there was no point in that now because in front of him sat both Sanzu Haruchiyo and Sano "Mikey" Manjiro's photos, surrounded by too many flowers for Izana's liking. There's incense burning between both photos and Izana can feel his eye twitch.

He often dreamed of this day when he was younger.

The death of Sano "Mikey" Manjiro.

He thought it would bring him happiness. He'd have Shinichiro all to himself as well as Emma. Then he'd even convince Shinichiro to adopt Kakucho as well. But now there is no Shinichiro, no Emma and no Manjiro. There was no one. No family except Kakucho.

Manjiro's death didn't bring Izana the satisfaction he thought it would. Instead, he felt empty.

"KUROKAWA IZANA! YOU FUCKING BITCH!"

A familiar voice yells from the entrance of the funeral hall. Izana already knows who it is. Some of his minions are holding her back. "Should I get rid of her?" Kakucho asks lowly as the other members of Tokyo Manji Gang here to mourn Manjiro and Haruchiyo start to look confused as well

They're sitting at the front of the hall, Kakucho next to him. Haruchiyo had no family. He had long denounced Akashi Takeomi and Kawaragi Senju as family. Kakucho told him Mikey would have liked it if they did both funerals together so, they posed as Haruchiyo's family as well. "no" Izana says and gets up off the mat "I'll talk to her"

He walks over to the entrance toward the screaming woman also in an all-black mourning outfit like his own. She probably just got back from Tachibana Naoto and Hanagaki Takemichi's funeral. His men are holding her back from entering the hall and they step aside as soon as Izana walks over. She's about to lunge at him but Izana simply grabs her wrist and drags her out of the hall. She's still yelling even as they stand at the back of the building. "You never shut up do you, Yuzuha?" Izana says as he leans against the wall

Yuzuha's jaw drops at his words. "is that really what you have to say right now?" She's angry, rightfully so "Mikey may have killed my brother but I know it was you that killed Naoto and Takemichi"

Yuzuha is clenching her fists, visibly resisting the urge to punch him and Izana is resisting the urge to get a cigarette. Maya told him he wasn't supposed to smoke. "So what? What's done is done" Izana shrugs

Izana isn't even sure why he's entertaining this. Oh man, he kinda wishes Manjiro killed this bitch too. "What done is done?" Yuzuha repeats and takes hold of his black suit jacket, tugging harshly at the lapels "Everyone is fucking dead Izana! All because you're a selfish bitch"

Okay, now she was going too low. Izana holds her wrists and stares at Yuzuha with darkened eyes full of anger. But just before he could say anything, she saw the necklace. "This is..." Yuzuha's eyes widen in horror as her eyes shift between him and the gold butterfly pendant necklace looped around his neck "You killed her too?"

Just as she's about to touch the pendant Izana pushes her away. She struck a sore spot. "Shut the fuck up" Izana hisses "I may have gotten my men to get rid of Hanagaki and Tachibana but not her"

Yuzuha looks confused but then she starts to laugh— hysterically, like he said something funny. Izana is really resisting the urge to shoot her right now and make Shiba Taiju mourn another sibling. How dare she accuse him of killing Maya? His Maya. His bunny. He would have never killed her. She was never meant to die. His little brother made a mistake and that was fine, he forgave Manjiro but never in his life would he want to kill the girl that brought him so much joy and excitement and— "Mikey killed her didn't he?" Yuzuha asks with a grin like it is funny

"What's so fucking funny about it?" Izana asks annoyed

Yuzuha laughs even more. It seems grief has turned her crazy. Can grief make you crazy? "You never wanted her dead. You love her and Mikey killed her"

"It was an accident" He surprises himself by saying that

Izana had no reason to be defending Manjiro right now but it just happens. "an accident? You sure it wasn't because you fucking ruined his life?" Yuzuha spits back taking a step forward

Oh, now he was mad. "I ruined his life? I did? Are you so fucking sure about that?"

Izana takes a step forward and forcibly grabs Yuzuha by her upper arms and pulls her against him. She flinches and tries to pull away but Izana holds her even tighter. "Remind me just how long Ryuguji Ken took over Toman after Emma died? Remind me how long it took any of you to even fucking notice he wasn't around?" He's a few decibels away from yelling in her face "If it weren't for me, Manjiro would have died"

Yuzuha looks scared. Good. She should be. She should learn to think before she speaks. She should have looked at the facts before accusing him of some bullshit. "I got Manjiro out of bed, I stopped him from starving himself to death, I fixed him up, I fed him, I kept him alive..." Izana says angrily "Tell me Yuzuha, just in what way did I ruin him?"

"His friends—"

"They left on their own and you know it too" Izana cuts her off immediately

Yuzuha is speechless. "Everyone left him and I was the one that stayed" He continues and finally loosens his grip on her arms to let her go "I may have been the villain but I was still his big brother..."

Never in his life would Izana thought he'd be saying that to someone willingly. Never in his life did Izana think he'd call himself Manjiro his big brother in such a manner that wasn't patronizing or for a cruel game.

Can grief make you crazy?

When Izana flips open his wallet the first thing he's met with in the clear pocket is a Polaroid picture. Among the Black Cards and cash is a Polaroid picture of him, Manjiro, Maya and Kakucho. They're sitting on the beach and Izana has an arm around Maya and Kakucho and Manjiro is sitting on the other side of Maya, arms around her waist. Maya is kissing Izana's cheek hard in an attempt to annoy him.

Nothing about that moment had been annoying. He's smiling widely in the picture, tugging her and Kakucho close and by extension, Manjiro too. The only bad thing about it was that Maya wasn't sober. She was high off a whole bunch of drugs and to date, months after her and Manjiro's deaths, he still doesn't understand how she didn't die of overdose. Oh well, it seems he'll never know.

The people are gone and now all he'd got left are pictures and the stupid necklace he's wearing.

It had been months and he was avoiding coming back to the beach house. It was something he had bought for Manjiro. His little brother loved the sea and what better to buy him a place that was far from anyone else and safe for him to leave without any security? Manjiro loved this place and at one point so did Izana. But now he hates it.

Izana can still smell Manjiro's cologne and body wash on the sheets, his clothes are mixed in with his and there are even a few pieces of his hair still lying around here and there. It seems no matter how many times he gets the place cleaned up, hair still shows up somewhere. It makes him sick.

Sometimes it feels like his lungs are rejecting air. It seems that he'll die before he ever learns how to breathe without Manjiro again.

But it wasn't just Manjiro's things that were bothering him, it was Maya's too. Her makeup, her clothes, her hair ties, her scent— it's everywhere. She stayed in that house, even though unwillingly, for only a month and a half and her traces were everywhere. There are still footprints too small to belong to his other men in the sand and fingerprints on the glass of the windows and doors. Sometimes he can still feel her skin under the tips of his fingers and her scent on his clothes. It was like her essence had woven itself into the fabric of the house.

It's like she's everywhere and he can't get rid of her. Maya kept her promise and now she was haunting him in the worst way possible.

(Sometimes he hears Manjiro's laughter and Maya's drunken giggles. Other times he hears Manjiro gagging and sobbing, whimpering out Emma's name and Maya's pitiful moans and breathy whimpers, pleading to go home)

Izana is sitting at the front of the house rather than at the back of the deck facing the beach. He's sitting on the porch, tapping his fingers against his knee, now craving a cigarette more than ever. "Kakucho you have—"

"no" Kakucho shuts him down immediately

Even after her death, Kakucho hasn't forgotten that Maya told him smoking isn't good for a recovering addict. Izana can't help but curse at Maya for that. She's probably doing the same. Or maybe not.

Part of Izana hates Manjiro for killing her. But the other part doesn't blame him. When so many people in your life have left you, of course, the last straw would end up with you doing something drastic. Manjiro didn't mean to kill Maya. Izana should have stayed up that night and held Manjiro as he slept. Then maybe he wouldn't have gone on a killing spree and ended up getting shot in the head by that stupid Detective Tachibana. Izana should have stayed awake that night and maybe that was one of his biggest regrets next to just taking Manjiro to Tokyo with him for the deal in Tokyo and leaving Shion and maybe Rindo and Ran with Maya at the beach house.

Maybe Izana should have never let Kisaki kill Emma in the first place...

He feels bitter and angry. He hates this stupid beach house with its walls filled with Manjiro and Maya's laughter and he knows Kakucho hates it too because he's visibly itching to leave. Manjiro and Maya's shoes are still there by the front door and Izana can't help but curl his fingers around the butterfly pendant necklace he's wearing.

Sano Manjiro and Kaneko Maya at one point belonged to him. They were both his. But now they've gone so far. Too far. There was a bitter irony in it all, a cruel twist of fate that mocked his earlier assurances to them. He had once promised Manjiro that he would always follow, that their paths would remain intertwined no matter where life took them. And to Maya, he had sworn that he could always catch her no matter how far she ran from him.

But now those promises rang hollow, mere echoes of a time long past. Manjiro had ventured into the depths of darkness, consumed by a path that Izana could not follow. And Maya, with her promise to go so far he wouldn't be able to catch her, had slipped away like smoke in the wind, leaving nothing but memories in her wake. Manjiro and Maya had slipped through his fingers, venturing into realms beyond his reach

How stupid it was for Izana to be grieving the brother he once upon a time wanted dead and the girl he tortured and somehow fell in love with.

Izana stares at the patch of rotting daffodils under the tree across the beach house on the other side of the road and laughs hysterically while Kakucho watches in silence.

Perhaps grief does make you crazy.

—fin

notes: thank you for reading Dead Girl's Beach, I hope you enjoyed! Both bonus chapters release soon.

thank you to my university profs who went on strike in february all the way to the end of the semester, I would have never finished this fic this fast otherwise(mfers give me back my money).

chapter title from can't catch me now by olivia rodrigo

special thanks to: @highpri3stess @mysouleaten @yaya4thawin @piroporopo @reiners-milkbiddies @bontensbabygirl @tenjikusstuff4 @fairey555 @haikyuusboringassmanager @firstdivisiongirl @bakuhoethotski @xoxowhateveroxox @maraya-007 @dolfiins-art @short-cxke @milky-aeons @asirensrage @blueblazecrusade @brisssaaa009

extra special thanks to monika for all the detailed reviews you left after each chapter. I genuinely appreciated it. Thank you ♡

#tokyo revengers #tokyo revengers fandom #tokyo revengers manila future timeline #izana kurokawa #tokyo revengers izana #tokyo rev #tokyo revengers smut #tw. dark content #tw. dark themes #mikey sano #sano mikey manjiro #manjiro sano #mikey smut #izana smut #DEAD GIRL’S BEACH #tokyo revengers angst

61 notes · View notes

phantasmiac · 1 year

Text

in which touya is your best friend’s older brother

cw/tw: fem!reader, reader is in college, make out scene, nothing else i think

wc: 2.9k

a/n: obsessed with my own au. part two can be found here.

from middle school to high school, you and the two eldest todoroki children had followed the same 8AM-3PM schedule, eating the same assigned lunches and traveling in and out of the same building. but it wasn’t until your second year of high school that they really became aware of your existence, after you and fuyumi began volunteering at the same local daycare center. you vividly recall her flushing a deep shade of red that matched the streaks in her hair when you’d told her you were in the same year, and having to repeatedly assure her that she hadn’t upset you. it was an honest truth; not once had you been put in the same class, and you yourself couldn’t name one person outside of your own — with the exception of the todoroki siblings. it was impossible to be unfamiliar with the two when their popularity was so overwhelming. fuyumi, for her beauty, intelligence, and tenderhearted demeanor, and touya, mostly for his delinquent behavior. there’d been a few fleeting instances over the years where you’d fallen under the same spell as your classmates; the one that glued their eyes to the hot troublemaker just a grade above you. but they were just that — fleeting.

you’re not sure what was contaminating the air inside of the todoroki household the first time you came over; only that it had infected you with a certified school girl crush on your best friends older brother. every interaction with him left your heart flapping it’s dainty little wings. being fuyumi’s best friend, and spending as much time over as you did, granted you access to exclusive perks. “perks” such as the offhand, sarcastic comments you were now susceptible to; ones that weirdly drew you in instead of putting you off. you were able to see him doing things other than smoke on top of the bleachers from the window of your after-school prep classes, or beat up some random upperclassman in the middle of the hallway. watching him play the guitar, obliterate everyone at shogi, and tend to the garden plants was quite the change of scenery. if feeling special was a crime, you were guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, though you’re sure your classmates would too if they’d experienced the feeling of touya peeking at your homework over your shoulder and “obnoxiously” whispering the answer into your ear.

it was just your luck that the very same virus had to go and infect little 13 year old natsuo and make you his target. little natsuo who would stammer and blush and make a complete fool out of himself whenever you were around. little natsuo who once noticed you while playing soccer with shouto and touya in the yard, and got smacked in the face with the ball in the process (you’ll never let him live it down). little natsuo who singlehandedly destroyed your hopes and dreams of ever getting touya to look at you differently. because once the eldest todoroki sibling caught on, he refused to let it go. he’d gone as far as to create a ship name for the two of you, one that even shouto — always craving his big brothers approval — had started using. your eye twitched every time he would refer to you as natsuo’s girlfriend. it went without saying that the whole thing was just one big, running joke. but natsuo’s feelings were real, and you knew touya would rather stick his hand in a blender than break his little brothers heart — that is, if he ever even saw you that way in the first place.

touya graduates at the end of your second year, declaring he’s taking a “gap year” and moves out to live with a friend of his; the shy one you’d met a few times and bonded with over animal crossing once. rei permits it without much of a fuss, grateful that it’s tenko and not one of those “awful influences” he used to hang around at school (though you always suspected tenko had a secret wild side, too). he visits occasionally, still acting like he never left, but his overall absence allows you to finish your final year without the distraction of silly little feelings consuming you. you pride yourself on how well you’ve managed to suppress it all, just to feel like a complete liar on every single one of his visits, when he tugs on your hair and scares you from behind as a greeting like some grade schooler with a crush. by the time touya’s gap year ends, you and fuyumi begin your first semester of college, and rei has grievously accepted that her son is not planning on getting a degree.

a week prior to your winter break, you’re asked out by a guy in one of your gen-ed classes as you’re leaving with fuyumi. although touya doesn’t immediately come to mind, and the guy seems decent enough, you feel compelled to turn him down. it’s fuyumi’s elbow nudging into your back as she attempts to appear busy on her phone that gets a “sure” out of you. that friday, you find yourself sitting at the theaters watching a newly released horror movie next to a guy you haven’t batted an eyelash at other than the one time both you and fuyumi had missed a powerpoint slide. it’s then that touya — who you haven’t seen in nearly three weeks — comes to mind, for two particular reasons: a) because this is the type of thing he’d definitely put on after intruding on your and fuyumi’s movie night and b) because this is kind of a weird first date, but you’re sure it wouldn’t be as bad (or bad at all, for that matter) with him.

the following night, you’re at the todoroki household to help them get things sorted for the winter break trip you’ll be tagging along for. touya has finally reappeared and is uselessly laying in starfish position on fuyumi’s bed as you hand her clothes to fold into her suitcase. he’s rambling on and on about his recent whereabouts and his plans to start a tattoo apprenticeship, to backpack across europe, and to start a band, and a bunch of other things that he’ll probably forget about in a few months. even though half of what he’s saying is nonsense, he sounds so enthusiastic, you can’t help but smile and nod along. fuyumi scolds you to stop encouraging him, which he rolls his eyes at before asking, “anyways, what’s going on with my sister in law?”. natsuo has just recently gotten into his first real relationship with his first real girlfriend, so you’re ready to correct him until —

“nuh-uh! not your sister in law anymore. i mean, unless you count our marriage,” fuyumi intercepts. “she scored herself a boyfriend this week. oh my gosh, i didn’t even ask you how your date went!”

the clothes are long forgotten as fuyumi shakes you violently by the shoulders, and you don’t have time to explain that the date went nowhere before touya is mumbling something about “not wanting to hear this crap” and leaving the room. the next day, touya brings home a girl for the very first time. seeing her makes you realize that you’ve never put much thought into what touya’s type might be like. the girl standing before you is sweet and effortlessly beautiful, able to make a casual outfit look dressy. you don’t question how strange it is that he would choose to introduce her to his family the day before a trip, or the fact that he doesn’t outright call her his girlfriend. you’re much too focused on the way she constantly leans into him, and shamefully flitting your eyes away when he looks up at you like he knows you’re watching. you will yourself not to shed any tears as you lay beside fuyumi that night, thinking about how his absence in the last three weeks must have been because he was spending them all with her.

the car ride to the log cabin you’ll be staying at for the week is spent stuck between the window and shouto, who’s going ham on some game on his ipad (you hate to admit how entertaining it is to watch), and shooting lasers into the back of touya’s head through the gap in the headrest. there’s a few times your eyes meet through the passenger side window, but instead of pulling a face like usual, he looks away. whether your nausea is a result of motion sickness or emotional distress, there’s no telling. by the time you reach the cabin, the moon is out and the stars are littering the sky, offering just a bit of light that peaks through the towering trees and helps with the unloading of the trunk. upon settling in your rooms, rei announces that she’s going straight to bed. you can already hear shouto and natsuo’s voices coming from their own rooms; shouto playing with his little green haired friend and natsuo talking to his girlfriend. fuyumi, always so productive, immediately gets to unpacking her suitcase — an activity you have little interest in.

it was the promise of a hot tub that got you to come on this trip in the first place, and you weren’t going to let the night deter you from your wish. fuyumi insists that tomorrow is promised as you carelessly dig through your luggage for a swimsuit, but you don’t budge. you curse your stubbornness when you head down to the back porch to find the hot tub lit up, bubbling, and occupied. you’re met with the sight of a bare back that’s more built than the last time you’d seen it. touya’s lack of acknowledgment of your presence deceives you into turning your heel for an attempt at a silent escape; a silence that is soon shattered by the sound of swashing water, and then touya’s voice: “i don’t, bite you know.” it’s with reluctance that you turn back to face him. his arms are dangling off the side of the tub, his chin propped at the edge. “i wouldn’t put it past you,” you quip back.

you don’t think the lack of conversation is nearly as awkward for touya as it is for you. he’s been staring at the water, unblinking, for the past five minutes (months, for you), chewing on his lip pensively like something magical might bubble to the surface. your eyes, on the other hand, have been scanning every area of the premises for something that might save you. the woods are pitch black with the exception of the porch lights. maybe you could bring up how scary it is out here? no, you don’t want to come off as a wimp. the skiing plans for tomorrow? no, that’s lame. how about his girlfr —

“is it okay if i kiss you?”

the sudden jolt of your body causes a big splash that manages to hit both you and touya in the face. if he’d lost his mind, the water should have been enough to startle him and set it straight. instead, he wipes a hand down his face and continues to look at you expectantly for your answer. you’re incapable of offering it to him in words; so you wade your way across the tub to where he’s sat, kneeling in front of him as an invitation. perhaps it was silly to assume he was asking for a simple, chaste peck, but the arm that hooks itself around your waist and pulls you forward elicits a gasp out of you nonetheless. but it’s nothing compared to the thrill you feel when both of his arms move to grab your thighs, effectively hoisting you up and getting you to straddle him. not once in any of your fantasies had you imagined being on top of touya, but you think the reality is much more satisfying. it’s hard to say who makes the first move, seeing as you’re both hungry for the same thing. your fingers are digging into touya’s cheeks, and his onto yours in a different area. you’ve been told countless times that your first time making out wouldn’t be a scene out of a movie. but somehow, touya’s lips and tongue guide you in a way that makes you look and feel like you’ve been doing this for years.

it’s everything you’ve ever dreamed of and more, excluding the sound of fuyumi’s “oh my god!” ringing in your ear. she’s standing at the slide doors with her hands covering her eyes, nearly tripping over her own feet. instantly, you rip yourself away from her older brother and shoot out of the water, scrambling for an explanation. she shouts something about waiting for you up in the room before nearly colliding face first with the glass doors. you don’t bother to look at touya’s reaction as you exit the tub and quickly snatch a towel, nor at rei, now wide awake and frantically and asking what’s wrong as you zoom up the stairs. you waste no time in profusely apologizing to fuyumi, who’s now laying flat on the bed with her head dug into a pillow. the thought of your friendship coming to an end has your voice shaking and tears forming in your eyes. the sound gets fuyumi to set the pillow aside and smile at you softly.

“i’m not angry. i just wish i hadn’t had to see that with my own two eyes,” she laughs, hands holding yours. “but i am a little confused as to why you’d wanna be with my gross old brother of all people. i thought that other guy was a catch.”

it’s hard to identify whether the sound that leaves you is a sob or a laugh, but you allow yourself fall into fuyumi’s arms in relief. she spends the rest of the night interrogating you, and then singlehandedly planning out your future wedding.

touya actively avoids you for the rest of the trip, opting out of all the planned activities in exchange for staying holed up in his room until hunger strikes and forces him down to the kitchen. you try not to be hurt by his behavior, disregarding it as him being embarrassed at being caught by his little sister. that assumption is proved wrong when he has multiple interactions with her, while acting as if you don’t exist. of course, fuyumi attempts to get an explanation for you, but she always comes back with the same response: “he said he’s not going to talk about it with me”.

on the last day of the trip, you tag along with natsuo and shouto for a day of ice skating, fuyumi staying behind to get a head start on some assignments. it was just yesterday that you’d suddenly remembered the girl touya had brought over, and come to the conclusion that the reason he must have been avoiding you is because he’d cheated, and the guilt was eating him alive. it didn’t matter how hard fuyumi insisted that her brother would never sink so low, and that he’d never said she was his girlfriend. you were now certain you were the other woman, and staying in the house was driving you mad.

the three of you are sat outside the rink, rental skates in hand. you’re focused on tying up your own as shouto makes repeated calls of his brother’s name, each call being ignored and becoming more irritated by the second. natsuo is glued to his phone, typing away and smiling like a fool, shouto’s pokes at his puffer jacket going completely unnoticed.

“jesus, natsu,” you roll your eyes, punching him on the arm with enough force to get his attention. “shouto’s been calling your name for ages.”

“sorry! i’m texting my girlfriend.”

you chuckle as you kneel down to attend to shouto’s neglected skate laces. “you didn’t even have to say. when are you gonna bring her over? you know, like touya.”

the last part definitely could have been left out, and said in a less bitter tone, but it gets natsuo to quirk his eyebrow in confusion. “that girl from last week? i don’t even know why touya brought her over. he complains about her to me all the time. says she has an annoying crush on him,” he mumbles.

the strength required to keep down the grin threatening to form at his revelation is downright shameful, though the satisfaction doesn’t last long. because if touya doesn’t have eyes for someone as stunning as her, where does that place you? you know it’s sneaky of you to take advantage of natsuo’s obliviousness, but with the way things are going with touya, you know he’s the closest you’ll get to some answers.

“that’s too bad. she was really pretty.”

“yeah, well, i don’t think i’ve ever heard touya call anyone pretty.”

“i have,” shouto speaks up from under the confinements of his wool scarf. he winces when you unconsciously tighten his laces a little too hard at his statement.

natsuo looks at him like he’s been shot. if touya was going to gush about someone he was sure it’d be to him. “when? who? where?”

“he didn’t tell me. i just heard him, once, when his friends were over. they were talking about girls and stuff, and they were making fun of him. because he never liked anyone. and then he got all mad and started yelling that he did like someone.”

“when was this?” natsuo probes on, phone now long forgotten.

“his second year, i think. it was before fuyumi met you,” shouto points a gloved hand at you.

high school touya never showed an interest in anyone; it was one of the reasons everyone believed they had a chance. your jealousy has now been replaced with sincere curiosity, an eagerness that reflects natsuo’s.

“do you remember their name?”

shouto nods nonchalantly, completely oblivious to the fact that he has you and natsuo on the edge of your seats.

“i never said anything because i thought it had to be another person with the same name after he started making fun of you and natsu.

but it was your name.”

#dabi x reader #dabi #dabi drabble #dabi headcanons #dabi imagine #dabi x y/n #dabi angst #dabi fluff #dabi fanfic #touya todoroki x reader #touya todoroki #touya x reader

1K notes · View notes

queers-gambit · 2 years

Text

Angel is the Centerfold

prompt: insecurity runs deep when Eddie's secret lady-love finds the worn pages of a centerfold - marked on a woman who looks nothing like her.

pairing: Eddie Munson x female!cheerleader!reader

fandom masterlist: Stranger Things

note: you ever just get overwhelmed and wanna dip off for a week because you need to recharge your battery? reader's actually able to do that here - lucky ducky.

word count: 2.7k

warnings: cursing (when isn't there), insecurity, small angst, comfort ending i guess.

Let's be honest, high school wasn't easy on anyone. Sure, some people could slip through the cracks while remaining unnoticed, unseen, unheard, and never bothered. Others weren't as lucky but it wasn't as bad or pressured as some other lives in high school.

I wasn't gonna make excuses for the other jocks but I found life just flowed a little simpler if I nestled myself securely on the outskirts of social circles.

I was once lead in the spring musical last year and liked to keep up with my drama friends; I was voted in as class president in October; pitcher on the softball team; might've even found myself on the cheerleading squad.

Did it make sense? Probably not to others.

But for the way my mind liked to race, keeping extra busy with a plethora of friends was easier. I was never in one 'crowd' and could hop around freely to my choosing; occasionally even hopping over to the Hellfire Club on a few random days.

Those were the conversations I was most animated in.

These guys never gave a fuck and liked pushing creative envelopes. So, they wouldn't push me about my home life but sure as shit pushed me into whether or not I thought Luke Skywalker was hot or not. Gareth was running a very important poll and it was vital I give them my honest opinion on the Jedi.

If I wanted, I usually had a seat at Hellfire, too. I couldn't make every game and usually my character was someone fleeting due to my busy schedule... But it was how I came to really get to know Eddie Munson better. He was the Dungeon Master and was always willing to hang for an extra hour to go over some details about the campaign or game.

If I didn't understand something, he was breaking it down for me. He teased me, sure, but never made me feel lesser-than for not grasping a concept completely.

It could've been the reason we started hanging out at his trailer.

Maybe it was also because life was finally catching up to me and overwhelming me in a tsunami wave of stress, and I needed an escape.

Either way, one moment, I'm content being a busy little bee, and the next, I'm crying my eyes out at Eddie Munson's trailer as a roach smoldered in a glass ashtray between us.

It became something of a regular occurrence for us. Sometimes, I ran into his Uncle Wayne on his way out to work and other times, it was nearly pitch black when I arrived. But Eddie was always welcoming; never complaining when I'd burrow into one of his hoodies for comfort; content to roll a joint and let the pair of us rant about our weekly worries.

I guess he got sick of hearing me complain so much because one evening, perhaps while rambling, Eddie leaned forward and seared his lips on mine. He made some comment about shutting me up like this from now on before pressing his tongue into my mouth and commandeering every known thought I had.

It worked... For the first couple months.

It was nice to feel like I had something private, 100% for myself. Nobody knew that Eddie Munson was the guy I spent my free time with; they didn't need to know I started blowing them off in favor of him. They didn't know how we would lay in his bed, fucking, talking, laughing, smoking; they never needed to know how he whispered sweet nothings in my ear, and like a fool, how I ate it up.

It was private. Eddie was private.

Stolen glances in the hallway, a few kisses in empty classrooms.

But then... It turned a little repetitive.

Once, I'd met him in the woods (per his request) and when I arrived 'early', he was in the midst of another deal. Waving me off as "another customer that can wait", he turned to the boy in front of him and all but basically ignored me.

I knew we weren't public, but damn, right?

And there was the time when my Mom's car tire blew and she couldn't pick me up from softball practice... But Hellfire had just let out and when I asked Eddie for a ride home, he chuckled, "I would, princess, but I don't think I could fit your reputation in my van."

I get there were some other people around when I asked, but shit.

Oh! And there was that other time when he and I went to the corner store for a few snacks and his arm was securely around my shoulders. It was about 12:30 in the morning on a Saturday, and sure, not many people were out but a few had come in after us... And Eddie had dropped his arm so quick, you would've thought he was burned.

He had waited until they were gone before letting us pay together and leave...

It was starting to feel more and more like Eddie was ashamed of me. Like he didn't want to be seen with me... Like he couldn't stomach the idea of people knowing he was into me - or I was into him.

None the less, the idea started to gnaw at my mind because I couldn't begin to understand what was so wrong about... Well, me.

Eddie had called that night and asked if I was down for a movie and joint, claiming he had picked up my favorite candy at the store today and needed my company to break into it. I had agreed with the thought that maybe I'd just gently broach the subject; just ask in earnest if there was something about me he was ashamed of or not.

"Hey, sweetheart," Eddie panted when he opened the door for me, instantly leading me through his trailer, "I'm so sorry, I lost track of time. You mind hanging tight so I can hop a quick shower?"

"Oh, yeah, no problem," I assured, nodding with a small smile.

"Thanks, doll," he whispered, kissing my cheek, "be just a minute."

I nodded absently and watched him go, looking around his room and finding it only mildly messy today. I sat on his bed and rubbed my hands together, trying to think of the best way to ask him what was up, when suddenly, my eyes caught sight of a dog-eared magazine peaking out from under a pair of boxers in front of Eddie's bedside stand. Curiosity burned my stomach and I let the tip of my show gingerly toe the boxers to the side and cocked my head to get a better look.

Only... I almost wish I hadn't.

The woman in the worn-centerfold was outstandingly gorgeous and her curves were natural. You could say I was staring but there's a way you can tell - and that woman, staring up at me, was 100% natural. She was something lethally beautiful with sculptured thighs and a taunt stomach; defining outlines running along her curves.

Picture perfect.

An angel in the centerfold.

Her hair was even perfectly cascading around her, maybe akin to a halo that draped off her thin, highlighted shoulders. Reaching up to feel my own, I couldn’t help but scoff and drop my hand instantly as even our fucking hair was stark opposite one another.

I felt my mouth dry as I took note of her breasts and how they spilled from her lace bra before darting my eyes down to skim her body and land on the smooth, hairless cunt peaking out from a pair of pure white crotchless panties. Taking a sobering breath, I realized everything about her was in some way, shape, or form the exact opposite of me.

Insecurity reared its ugly head and made me question if this was the reason Eddie didn't want to be seen with me. If this was why he didn't want to commit; to date me; to let others know... Because I was wrong. I was all wrong in his mind - this woman with the perfect natural body was a reflection of what he thought was ideal.

His idea of what he wanted.

And it was the literal opposite of me.

Feeling sick, I let my foot jerk to push the boxers back over and stood nervously from his bed. The room was about to collapse on me and a ringing started in my ears, forcing my feet to move or else I'd break down in sobs right there.

Pausing at the cracked bathroom door, I knocked and called, "Hey, Eddie, I forgot my aunt's coming to town and I have to help my mom. I'll just call you later, okay?"

Praying to God my voice remained steady, I waited as Eddie mulled over my words. "A-Are you sure, sweetheart? I didn't get to see you much this week. We can always just watch a movie, or something?"

"I'm sure, I'll just call you later. Bye," I called, not leaving room for argument.

"O-Okay, call me when you get home! Bye! Drive safe!" Eddie called over the sounds of his shower; my feet surging to get me as far from the trailer park as possible.

Call it childish but I didn't call Eddie. I just didn't really have it in me to entertain a conversation where I wasn't okay. In fact, I didn't really have it in me to do anything that week. So, I took mercy on myself and canceled all of my obligations - only going to classes, and then straight home, where I remained alone in my room as my mother worked nightshifts at the hospital this week.

And at lunch, I just hung out in the SGA room where I made up for the work I'd miss from all my canceled after-school meetings.

So, it was easy to avoid everyone. Easy peasy.

Nobody seemed to notice because of how thin I constantly stretched myself, but my self esteem took a major blow that I wasn't really looking to actively heal and wanted a little peace to myself. So I made myself extra scarce by faking a really bad period so nobody would question me too much.

Turns out, maybe Eddie noticed my flighty behavior. I didn't know it, but after school on Wednesday, he caught Chrissy's elbow and ducked into an empty classroom to ask her what was up with me.

The head cheerleader assured him I was just feeling a little under the weather, not putting too much thought into why he seemed so worried. She knew you two were friends and figured he thought I was sick, not realizing he was actually trying to understand why I had blown everything (and one) off this week.

After school Friday, Eddie had enough and loaded into his van after clocking my absence at practice again. Not that he was paying attention (he totally was), but I'd missed the whole week, and he knew that wasn't normal.

So, when he showed up at my door, imagine his shock to see me answer it in my pajamas.

"Eddie," I felt my eyes widen, trying to subtly close the thick cardigan I was wearing around my leggings and tank top. "Uh, did I forget something in History?"

"Funny enough, you did."

"Oh."

"Yeah," he breathed, "see, by my observations, you've been blowing everyone off this week, and can mean you've forgotten your friends."

I scoffed, "No, not entirely."

"Yes, entirely," he repeated. "What's going on with you?"

"Nothing."

"Bullshit," he shook his head. "You've not been in the cafeteria all week, you haven't been doing the morning announcements, you haven't shown up at Hellfire, or SGA, or cheer, or any of your other orgs - the hell's up with you?"

"Oh, I uh... Didn't think anyone really realized," I admitted quietly.

"When you move as quick as you do and then come to a screeching halt, yeah," he chuckled, "a few people notice. So, again, what's wrong?"

"It's literally nothing."

"So, why're you blowing me off too?"

"I'm not."

"You're standing pretty defensively in your doorway," he pointed out softly. "Am I... Like, am I not welcome anymore?" His question caught me off guard because I wasn’t sure how to answer it. My silence was enough of an answer as he whimpered, "Oh, shit, wait, what'd I do, sweetheart?"

"You didn't do anything."

"Well, obviously I did if - "

"No," I sniffled, cutting him off, "that's what's wrong, you just... You never did anything."

"Okay, darlin', I'm confused," he paused. "What didn't I do?"

"You... You were always ashamed of me, never wanted to be seen with me, or let people know we were hanging out. I get we weren't dating, but you never asked me to be your girlfriend, either. So, yeah, you didn't do anything... And then I just... I found something that confirmed I'm nothing like what you want. So, maybe you're not welcome here anymore because I don't think I was ever welcome in your life."

"Sweetheart, how can you say that?" Eddie asked in confusion. "I'm ashamed of you? No, that's the farthest from the truth! Where is this - I don’t understand.”

"C’mon, Eddie. You literally run the other way when it comes to even seeing me in public," I pointed out. "If you're ashamed, that's one thing. If you just don't want to be in a relationship, that's another. But I don't think you really want to be with me, so, let's just cut our losses."

"What the hell could you have seen that made you think I don't want you?" he scoffed. "Darlin', I just - I'm not very good at this shit, okay? And I'm the Freak, remember? You're gonna take more of a social hit dating me than I will - I just wanted to try and protect you from the ridicule coming your way for even being seen with me."

"Then that's my decision to make," I shrugged.

"You're right," he agreed. "And I'll let you make that decision on your own, but that's if you even want to be with me. 'Cause apparently you've found something that's so Earth-shattering, it's making you think I don't want you. Darlin', I worship you, okay? So whatever it is, I promise it’s not what you think.”

"Then why... Why don't I look like them?"

"What?" He asked. "Like who, doll?"

"I know it’s stupid but… The women you look at in magazines, okay? The women you fantasize about - those women. Why don't they and I look alike?"

Eddie looked gobsmacked for a moment but recovered quickly, speaking softly but strongly, “Because they're exactly that, pretty girl, a fantasy. Nothing like the real thing," he smiled at me. "And for whatever it's worth, I look at a variety of things, so, the odds of you lookin' like one of the women I look at... Are actually pretty high."

"Eddie - "

"No, I'm serious," he smirked, "'cause I just think about you most of the time. Those women might get me started but it's the thought of you that takes me out, hmm?"

"Oh, my God," I couldn't help but laugh, "okay, okay, you've made your point.”

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I guess I just got a little in my head.”

"So, why're you home instead of at practice? You’re always over thinkin’ something, why’s your head all in a twist?”

"Well, you, Munson, put my head in a twist pretty consistently. And for the record, it started as an insecure week that required a lot of self-care."

"Well, what's on the agenda for tonight?"

"Um, gonna paint my nails and watch a few movies?"

"Got room for one more?" He pouted dramatically. "Missed you this whole week, and I barely got to see you last week, too."

"I think I could squeeze you in somewhere," I smiled with a nod, opening my arms to let him step over the threshold and into my embrace. Against his chest, I spoke, "If I didn't want to be with you, Munson, I wouldn't be. So, don't go worrying about protecting my reputation, because I'm only concerned with my happiness - and you make me pretty damn happy.”

I felt Eddie's arms tighten and his lips press to the top of my head, "Good plan, baby. And I'm only concerned with your happiness, as well."

"All right, kiss-ass, you’re already invited in. Don’t gotta lay it on too thick.”

“Oh, so, I don’t have to offer to paint your toes?”

I paused, letting my chin press to his chest as he smirked down at me. “Well now, wait a minute…”

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson imagine #eddie stranger things #eddie x reader #stranger thing s4 #stranger things 4 #stranger things season 4 #stranger things #stranger things x reader #eddie munson x fem!reader #eddie munson x oc #eddie munson x y/n #requests open

2K notes · View notes

weeb-polls-with-pip · 5 months

Text

Autistic Anime Boys Prelims - Propaganda Division - Round 2

Propaganda:

Amuro -

"Being a Newtype is just space autism to me. But also he sucks at falling in line in a structured environment, would rather work with machines than talk to people, and is only allowed as a child soldier because he's the bestest at big robots."

Kyouya -

"what's there to say? you know him. you love him. vote kyoya."

Euini -

"I relate a lot to his social anxiety, especially his performance anxiety that occurs when he's being watched by people, particularly due to his stress at needing to follow the plan/do things the "proper" way in order to not feel like he's a failure. he also stands like a lil autistic kid and i appreciate him so much for that.

(LIGHT SPOILERS) basically, he has a test that he needs to take in order to advance as a witch, and he keeps failing it because he cant perform properly while being watched by other people, even though he knows the "right" spells to use and why he's supposed to use them. on his third attempt of the test, he's prepared a "script" to use so that he can follow it and not worry about failing in the moment (in this case, his script is a hand-written book of the proper spells to use and the order in which he's supposed to use them), but when a part of the exam changes, he's no longer able to follow his script. because he's been taught all his life that there's only one proper way of doing things, his way of thinking is very rigid and he's not able to deviate from his plan without panicking. luckily, one of his fellow examinees (richeh from the autistic anime girls poll 💕) is able to convince him to try and change the way that he does things to something that is more attuned to his personal needs- basically change the way that he casts his spells and which spells to use so that he doesn't need to struggle with doing things in the way that everyone says that he should; the way that he cant seem to manage. but, even before richeh helped him with that though, he was still finding way to modify the "proper" spells a little bit to better suit his weaknesses. he was trying so hard to fit in to the mold that witch society gave him, but it just wasnt right for him and he was making it work however he could."

Aoi -

"He has a very devoted special interest in the idol Takada-chan, which he frequently imagines in fights and other situations… the moment someone (Itadori) expresses equal interest in something he is passionate about, he immediately declares them besties and brothers and creates a whole elaborate shared history for them that doesn’t actually exist. He’s not really interested in connecting with people who don’t share his interests. He’s seen as somewhat strange and eccentric. Though in the present he is respected because of his strength as a sorcerer, as a child he was very isolated."

Floyd -

"Has no emotional regulation skills and will make it everyone's problem. Prone to mood swings and can get angry at the drop of a hat, but can also be so goofy, silly, and lovely. Sways side to side for that good good stim, and loves to squeeze others (with violent intent and affectionate intent). Who doesn't love a good pressure stim? His interest in things can be fleeting, and his motivation to do things can change as quickly as his mood. Spontaneous and feral extraordinaire."

Apollo -

"Not canonically autistic but he has ZERO volume control plus he scripts/repeats stuff (“I’M FINE!!!”), sometimes mimics other people’s speech patterns (like replying “ja” to Klavier), sensitive to loud noises (stayed backstage at a concert cuz it was too loud) and bright lights (complained about the stage lights being too bright at the same concert + screamed when opening the hatch to the bright stage at magic show), and has been really into space since he was a kid, which could definitely be a hyperfixation (not to mention how he read every single one of Phoenix’s old case files back when he admired him). Plus he’s a little TOO normal, to the point where it circles back around to making him the odd one out, which is absolutely what masking feels like for me. Even when he tries to be fun and weird he gets strange looks/made fun of for not being weird in the right way. The list of autism symptoms is just a checklist for him at this point."

Ash -

"he just has those vibes ya know?"

Shou -

"His special interest is math. He uses math terms in regular conversations and calls people yoctograms/zeptograms which earned him monikers such as "math man" and "pi-face". Speaking of Pi, he once shouted 155 consecutive digits of it through a megaphone just because he could. He's so normal."

Sunny -

"Sunny has been told that his face is not expressive. He doesn't talk a lot and he often gets lost into his imagination. He is a great listener and recalls a lot of information being told he has a great memory (he is able to remember a whole speech about flower symbolism that his friend told him) He is compared to a cat."

Yuu -

"He’s like if an emo programmer boy was also completely unhinged and also had a tragic backstory."

91 notes · View notes

doublesama · 1 year

Text

The girls of the Harekaze are always in a pinch. In fact, 11 of the 12 High School Fleet episode titles directly reference them being in a pinch.

#high school fleet #haifuri #high school fleet anime #shima tateishi #mei irizaki

1 note · View note

tetrix-anime · 2 months

Text

High School Fleet Movie scans

#haifuri #high school fleet #mc axis #anime scans #official art

23 notes · View notes

fernsnailz · 4 months

Text

January 2024 Review Roundup

hello everypony‼️ something i want to do through 2024 is a mini review series where i recap some of the media i watched/played/read at the end of every month. this was inspired by tumblr user ponett’s 2023 media wrap-up, it's a great collection of quick reviews so go check it out!

i’m doing this partially as writing/analysis practice, but mostly because my memory is really bad and i want to keep track of what i've seen this year. with that said, my thoughts on everything i finished in january 2024 is under the cut :]

Portal 1 + 2

yyyup i beat Portal and it only took me (checks watch) 13 years

the first time i played Portal 2 was at a friend’s house when i was in middle school, and i had a fuckin blast. but after all that time... it still holds up! i don’t think anything i have to say about Portal will be particularly new since people have been praising this series since it came out. the writing, the level design, even the controls feel tight and engaging the whole way through. i played on switch and expected a bit of jank, but i was pleasantly surprised at how smooth it felt to play. the only part that dragged for me were the levels through the old aperture labs, but i think i would like them a lot more on a second replay. Portal 2 is fantastic and one of my new favorite games, the artistry behind it is truly incredible and i’m really glad i finally finished it. while i was playing Portal 2, i described Glados and Wheatly to a friend and said “they’re like if a ceiling fan could be passive aggressive and if Fozzie Bear was an evil golf ball”

I Think You Should Leave

finally. i can truly understand and appreciate Subspace Dubbed Over

i think one of my favorite things about I Think You Should Leave is how it utilizes horror. beyond sitting slack-jawed in disbelief at the crazy events unfolding before my eyes, a number of the sketches dipped into bits that genuinely kinda scared me. like the one sketch that circulates on here where the guy (pig?) in a mask crawls through a dog door, which is. genuinely terrifying. but so many of the other sketches have slow, nerve-racking pacing leading to crazy shit that would be perfect in a horror film were the context different. idk i like dissecting how horror and comedy are essentially the same thing and I Think You Should Leave was very good at enabling that <3 favorite sketches are probably “then let my wife eat the damn receipt” and “55 BURGERS 55 HOTDOGS 100 FRIES 100 TATER TOTS”

Sonic Prime Season 3

man. ohhhh man. i didn’t go into this with high expectations and i still feel let down. Sonic Prime Season 3 was definitely my least favorite “season” of the batch - abysmal pacing, very few character moments i actually enjoyed, and the things i praised about the show felt very underutilized through these episodes. Nine is the shining star of Sonic Prime and i was looking forward to seeing his more villainous side, but his character took such a sharp turn into pure evil and it felt like he spent the entire season repeating the same three lines. and as much as i praise Shadow’s writing in Prime, it doesn’t really matter when he spends half of the season trapped in a hole that he just… runs out of later.

lastly, i cannot stop thinking about how bad the pacing of this season is. three episodes for a repetitive final battle feels like such a waste of time when you see just how much they rush the emotional resolutions in the last episode. however, there is one thing i truly love about Sonic Prime Season 3 - i love the Sails and Mangey fakeout death. it's so fucking funny. like you really expect me to believe that two cartoon animals in this Y-7 rated show EXPLODED?????? absolute comedy gold.

overall, i just… don’t really know what to think of Sonic Prime. anything i enjoyed in the show was often fleeting, and much of it felt like its only purpose was to waste my time. also Rouge i can’t believe they did you so dirty oh my god

Ghost Trick

i was so proud that i figured out the secret behind Sissel’s memory loss like halfway through the game. however i also kept getting caught during the prison escape sequence like an idiot

Ghost Trick is in a similar situation as Portal where 1. it’s incredible and one of my new favorite games, and 2. there’s nothing i can really say about it that hasn’t already been said or just. shouldn’t be said. Ghost Trick is a fantastic mystery game, and because of that i think it’s best to go into its story as blind as possible. the narrative unfolds in such fascinating ways - even though the actual object manipulation gameplay isn’t directly about solving the mystery (like in Ace Attorney or other mystery games), it still ties wonderfully into the story in some incredibly unique ways.

i also really love the artstyle of Ghost Trick - i love 2D character artwork with that sharp lineweight, it reminded me a lot of Sonic Battle (another game with an artstyle i love). i was also really impressed by the 3D character models and animation - despite the limitations of the camera, you get a wonderful sense of everyone’s personality from the limited body language expressed in the overworld (even though the models lack much facial expression which. i guess they don’t really need? idk that was the only thing that threw me off). anyways yeah everyone should play Ghost Trick so Ghost Trick fans can be freed from their curse and talk about it without having to tag like 10 different spoiler tags. and for Missile

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off

ok bear with me. i went into Scott Pilgrim Takes Off without reading the comics first. and i fuckin loved it

my understanding of Scott Pilgrim before SPTO was mostly from the movie (I KNOW I’M SORRY), but even with my base understanding of the series i really enjoyed this show for what it was. i found myself appreciating the time they dedicated to further develop every single character in the show - especially Ramona. she’s fantastic as the lead, i really loved watching her reconcile with her exes and seeing all of them grow instead of exploding into coins. my favorite episode was probably the one with her and Roxie - not only did i adore the movie-jumping set pieces, but you really understand the weight of Ramona’s mistakes in their past relationship and how much it hurt Roxie. despite the big climactic fight, the flashbacks are quiet, subtle, heartbreaking. Ramona’s apology is genuine, and it feels so wonderful to watch her confront her past throughout the show. also i think it’s really funny that for all these characters to become the best versions of themselves, they had to kill off Scott for most of the story

and holy shit the artstyle and animation. oh my god. i love watching something that makes me immediately go “i need to see the storyboards for this RIGHT NOW.” SPTO is such a visual delight to watch, it elevates the artstyle of the comics while also keeping what makes that style so appealing - i love the line weight on the characters, i love how much forward energy the animation has, i love the fucking. virtual boy section. as soon as i found out Science Saru was also behind Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken, everything made immediate sense. i was destined to love this show.

another worry i had going into SPTO (besides the fact that i hadn’t read the comics lol) is that the original cast from the movie was returning. i think the movie cast is fine, but i wasn’t sure how some of them would fare with voice acting for animation. however, i thought they all did a good job - i think the whole cast loves these characters and would be able to fit into them fairly easily no matter what form their performance takes, and they definitely had a good voice director in the studio with them. the only thing that felt off about the voice performances to me was that sometimes it sounded like some of their mics kept peaking?? idk some of these episodes i watched high as balls and i felt like i could hear and see every single sound and frame of the show. so that might have just been me.

god i did not. expect to have this much to say about Scott Pilgrim. i really loved this show and i’m currently reading the comics to fully catch up on the general Scott Pilgrim experience - i think reading the comics AFTER Takes Off is making me appreciate even more of the character work that went into the show. like they do so much with Mathew Patel in SPTO, a character that was. not originally around for a long time from what i’ve gathered? also i like the funny little robot. oh my GOD i cannot talk about this show anymore whatever it’s good get me out of here

Sword AF Season 1

i put on the Smosh cast’s D&D series to play in the background while i was drawing. i did not expect to think much of it. instead, i had one of the most enjoyable D&D podcast experiences since i listened to The Adventure Zone Balance???

i haven’t really enjoyed other D&D podcasts since i dropped off of The Adventure Zone, and i wasn’t expecting much from Sword AF of all things. then i saw that Shayne was playing as a druid warforged made of plants and his name was fucking Fernie and i sat my ass down and LISTENED. while i think Sword AF is currently lacking in its world and larger story, those things just. aren’t really what Sword AF is really trying to provide at the moment. it’s main focus is comedy, and the players are genuinely such a delight to watch play together and build off of each other. they mostly focus on bits and goofs for the sake of she show's comedic tone, but i still found it thoroughly enjoyable because every player embodies and performs their characters really well. idk Sword AF was an unexpected hit for me this month, i thought it was fun. and i love Fernie so much

Plastic Death - Glass Beach

so originally i wasn’t going to include music reviews in these roundups at all, but then i was entirely surprised by a new Glass Beach album and oh my god. holy shit. oh my fucking god jesus christ. holy shit. its preddy good

Plastic Death gets the low point of the album out of the way immediately. it starts with the “phone call/conversation audio” trope that i don’t particularly enjoy - HOWEVER despite me disliking this opening, 1. it sets up the overall themes of Plastic Death very quickly, and 2. the rest of the album blows this 40 second opening completely out of the water. from there, the album grows into something beautiful and uncontained, and i just. i really like it

Plastic Death captures the beauty of the temporary, asks what it means to be created for a cause you can’t fulfill, questions if you can reclaim yourself from cycles and constraints designed to destroy you. and is also about being transgender. the lyrics are abstract in a way that requires a conversation with the listener, many of the vocals obscured and smooth like waves - this album is definitely one that needs to be listened to a few times. i wasn’t sure how i felt about the vocal style at first before realizing the vocals were the main reason i was relistening to this album, allowing myself to find even more that i loved about it. the instrumentation is also incredible, i love the use of marimba in a number of songs - distant, eerie, almost skeletal. and the fucking. 8-bit section?? which kinda rules???? and that’s the only point in the album it ever shows up??????? incredible. a fleeting, somewhat silly moment that i love every time.

this album left my heart aching, in part from my connection to it and in part from the pure love and joy emanating from this music. i can feel just how much fun this music was to perform and create, a cohesion of time and sound that just clicked for me. Plastic Death made me miss playing music, which is something i haven’t felt in years. all from an album that starts with a conversation about CrankGameplay’s dead youtube channel. good lord

i like this album a normal amount. go listen to it a few times. my favorite tracks are cul-de-sac and commatose

Wish

i watched Wish with a couple of friends and knew i probably wasn't going to like it. with that in mind, i gave myself a challenge: i wanted to find one thing about this movie that i genuinely really loved. it could be anything, and loving it for ironic reasons was allowed.

here's the complete list of things i loved about Disney's Wish (2023):

i love the one shot where King Magnifico stirs an evil caldron evily. i thought it was hilarious. what was he cooking

i loved that the end credits included a reference to Dinosaur 2001 at all, and i loved that they paid homage to Big Hero 6 by showing the forgettable villain of that movie instead of their Baymax cashcow for some reason. my friends and i saw him show up in the credits and were like "who's the trenchcoat guy??"

you may notice that this list is very short and 50% of it is about the movie's credits. so yeah this movie is not very good

Wish is an empty husk of a movie. everything about it feels so, so hollow - lifeless town squares, uninspired character designs (to quote a friend: "i have all of these characters' hairstyles in The Sims"), characters whose existence is only justified to fill empty space or an overused archetype, and an "evil" villain who lacks charisma and spine in a futile effort to remind the audience of previous disney villains with actual character. even the artstyle lacks any sort of sauce, the watercolor effect they were trying to go for only makes the backgrounds and character textures run together, and the dull lighting makes things look even more faded. it's like disney was scared of making a movie that made its audience feel... anything. all to celebrate 100 years of Disney slop, baby!!!

Some YouTube videos I liked in January: 💥 An Exhaustive Look at Pokemon Brilliant Diamond 💥 TomSka's Guide to Plagiarism 💥 Paradise Bombed (this video is a great piece of journalism and i’m definitely not doing it justice by throwing it into the youtube vid list) 💥 Surprising Our Friends with Zoo Animals 💥 Did FNAF Ever Have a Good Story?

thanks for reading! next month’s roundup will be wild because i’ll likely be reviewing House of Leaves and Hazbin Hotel. can you guess which cursed house gives me a worse headache? WHO KNOWS! (hint: it's Hazbin Hotel)

#under the readmore is pretty long! oh boy i love having opinions about media #most stuff in january i liked a lot though :] good month of stuff!!#review roundup #<- oh boy new tag for this series #long post

60 notes · View notes

popponn · 8 months

Text

things about isagi yoichi

i'm keeping a list about isagi for reasons (mostly personal amusement) (please do feel free to add or correct them). contains possible spoiler for manga up to chapter 230 so far and light novel. will get longer, probably, as time goes on. (update, it gets longer and up to uber match ending as of today.)

considerate. almost like a people pleaser. actual people pleaser at first.

pragmatic. thinks very calmly, even when angry it seems, but his words still sometimes get too much.

think things through, sometimes too much.

is confident, but not unaware of his own weaknesses

start pretty insecure.

seems to be sheepish - happy when someone praise / support / pay a large attention to him (pretty humble) (interview, that one kid in station, his family)

how he acts depends on who he is interacting with

switch to a more polite speech pattern whenever nervous (pretty obvious in japanese text, like in the interview scene after bm vs mc).

seems to be less competent on other things other than soccer

looking at his favorite manga / song / shows (most are medias with children as the main audience in mind), either really loves his childhood or doesn’t pay attention to many things after soccer. seems like the latter.

a really healthy family dynamics. his parents are very supportive of his dream.

loves katsu curry.

is a pretty 'normal' high school guy it seems. tissues near the bed, thigh fetish, read manga. speaks normally.

i really don't get why he has a habit of making sure his ahoges stand up in v before a match but god thats cute.

can be really rude and impatient sometimes

is good with people, but seems to enjoy alone time too. seems to be an introvert.

at least on screen, never really talk about how it was in ichinan with the blue lock guys. either it didn't bother him that much consciously or is the type of person who gets along with everyone but no one really knows the background of in details. (put it simply might be more introverted than he appears to be, especially considering how he usually is with people)

seems to be uncomfortable with new people in his personal space (early bachira + kaiser)

while doesn’t ‘like’ rude people, seems to grow ‘used’ to them and even openly admire them (barou + rin)

does not seems to easily prejudice / be judgmental to someone. is really patient (respect to barou, that one chapter with tada from ichinan, still praises kaiser despite the antagonism between them)

his fashion sense is pretty... this is very subjective as i don't have the word for it yet, but yeah, is either not good or pretty old fashioned. (in anime official arts)

when it comes to soccer often looks angrier expression wise

really egoistic. unsurprisingly.

sometimes is pretty self centered in the way that “this is my fault” sometimes, rather than focusing on someone else. but most of the time his self centeredness comes out as “i want this and i will get this”.

on some moments also seems to focus more on what he is not satisfied with rather than what he is satisfied with. might be caused by the storytelling beats, but if taken into consideration how he always wants to improve, it's not unsurprising.

seems to be more goal / result oriented, but is not dismissive towards the process.

whenever he sees someone better than him or something seems to be ‘impossible’ for him, most of the time his responds are ‘i have to work harder for it’. sometimes there are moments of insecurity, but they are fleeting and always went back to ‘i will overcome this / him’ as a respond.

very!!!! competitive. but it’s blue lock.

both in and outside soccer, seems to be very independent

seems to be more analytical by nature rather than intuitive, especially in learning style. complete opposite of nagi.

often starts noticing things from little things and details first before going and getting the bigger picture. detail oriented person? at least in soccer.

yeah soccer nerd.

if the 0 valentine choco, his reaction to seeing live two women getting played in karaoke, and how he didn't immediately went to girls in bowling alley—yeah. definitely 0 experience with girls.

is not wishy washy. knows what he wants and is not the type to change his preference because of his surroundings. did just act as if his preference is different / just doesn't say a thing or walk away when it isn't, back in ichinan these habits are obvious. in blue lock, he doesn't actively try to make other people uncomfortable and even still accommodate some out of the field, but clearly has become more outspoken in his preference or for his comfort. boy really grew more confident (and i love him for it).

he asks santa for ps4 and other than yeah normal highschool boy behavior idk how to dissect or overanalyze this yet give me a sec or a year.

like treats!!!! seems to be partial to sweets, but he also enjoys sour candies according to egoist bible.

doesn't like being ignored. and it kinda shows.

his beef with kaiser is hilarious—but it make sense because kaiser obviously bring it up even out of field (that locker room scene after yukimiya isagi argument), taunts isagi every chance he got (vs barcha, vs mc), and whatever happened in the match. isagi better than some bluelockers and me fr frfr considering he still did not try to punch kaiser's mug.

which bring the point doesn't seems to enjoy fistfight. either shitty at it or just chose not too. but looking at his trend of being shitty at things that are not soccer and his canonically low stats especially before blue lock. yeah might be shit at fistfight (with also a bit of the latter because how do one not try to sock kaiser in the face after *gestures wildly* all that. footnote, i admit the bias). (karaoke, shidou vs rin duking it out pt.1—my guy was dying and he wasn't the one duking it out)

tidy, but not overly tidy to barou level. but realistically comparing it to stereotypes of high school boys? real tidy. (could be seen in blue lock exhib's display of his u20 arc locker and team white bedroom)

wants lil sis or big sis because of my neighbor totoro. idk how to dissect this either but—yeah not a rare thing for an only kid to say, actually.

seems to be more of a street smart kinda guy.

his tenacity in befriending or at least interacting with rin is admirable. shipping lense or not it really is.

he gets along with almost everyone. shipping lenses or not, also amazing especially for an introvert.

he says the wildest shit on field like uh yeah things he said with yukimiya was said to be cencored a little because in jp someone said he was calling yukimiya something else i don't know to say in english.

but is actually not an absolute asshole in field, saw yukimiya broke down and bro actually took a second to pay attention and moved on. until he got provoked, that is.

actually rarely become the one who approach other people first (kira, bachira).

can really got extreme when in high tension (shoving chigiri off, that 100℅ kill you @ kaiser).

turns out he talks about the thigh stuff bashfully. (it's cute.) but i still wonder why he likes lobster. like i feel like something is there. why is his taste in everything that is not soccer makes me wonder what the fuck is up with him. favorite song? cm jingle. fashion sense? honestly casual, but his sense in pattern and color is genuinely so bad im hurting. this point is so full of personal bias feel free to skip it.

seems to be pretty oblivious to things about not-soccer. especially his surroundings. not to the dense point but seems like it stems more from his focus at soccer. but this trait seems to go hand in hand with his self centered tendencies.

(this is bordering to hc, but) it seems like while is indeed obsessed with soccer, more than "oh he is only good at soccer", is more of a "if he wants it he will find a way to get it". but taking in account how his personality used to be in ichinan / pre blue lock, it's unsurprising that he doesn't want that mamy things. even in soccer that he is passionate about, he didn't back then. there is also the fact that he seems to have tendency to hyperfocus into something (i.e.: while still taking into account of others in soccer, think more of them as 'factors' than 'people'), so it may seems like the reason he got or became good at something is like "oh isagi is lucky / specialized in that", but it seems hard work and dedication really does put a big role into it, unsurprisingly. could reach that level in soccer because he is dedicated into it, tldr.

this part also became quite visible if taking into account he wants to play specifically as a striker. he is focused in this very specific thing he wants, that's why he managed to get it / improve in it.

if i did not miscount, he directly has a conversation with ego twice. and in both he is extremely impolite, calling ego names in one (u20 arc). while the other happened after he lost against rin in 4v4, and seems like he is still not happy with the loss. ans it shows. he is pretty rude when ego talk about luck which he himself noted was a big factor there. (man hold grudge.)

so yeah, seems like rather than "possessed in field" it could also be "possessed in everything related to soccer", though fudther research is to be conducted.

is pretty introverted even in blue lock. while sometimes he shares his insight to other people about his play, sometimes he also did not do this (recently you can see this the most in his interactions with ness). but yeah, this is the thing he shares about the most, something related to playmaking and soccer. but other than that nothing—at least on screen.

his pretty peaceful and uneventful background could be factored into, however ichinan highschool is pretty much his tragic backstort and not a peep about that to even bachira it seems. a possibility is that he is hyperfocused towards soccer. not to say his self centered part that is more of "what can i change about myself for this situation" and "i can't change others' way of thinking".

however seeing how that one meeting tada goes (post u20 break) and he said nothing to correct tada, even though he secretly disagrees—then also his parents who seems pretty oblivious to his soccer performance and how he casually acted about his lost against kira despite crying and screaming on public just before that—yeah, seems like a pretty private person. it's not that he is oblivious or do it out of malice, but mostly seems like he just doesn't comment about it and more of the listening type. and even when someone close ask the right question it seems like he doesn't try to show much expression or how he actually feels.

personal bias but yeah this is no longer """being polite""", this is actually being private to a very concerning degree. like the time he opened up about his worry, and still pretty related with soccer, that is completely visibly vulnerable seems like it was with nagi after 3v3 with rin (and see how that ended up. tho this make the fact that he and nagi became pretty close afterwards in such a short time a bit unsurprising. this two indeed kinda have quite a lot bonding moments outside and inside the field, shipping lens or not). like no wonder this guy snaps in soccer field, it's pent emotions fr.

but if how he is after u20 any indication, it seems like he really is very reserved outside of field that it kind of resembles how he was before blue lock. (who knows after nel arc (still bm vs uber rn when i write this, tho the match seems like ending), because boy seems grumpier there. not blaming him tho, it's battle royale inside that team.)

doing a little skimming but it seems like when talking about something he really never put focus on his feelings. it's either what's going on, others' feelings, or an opinion of his but if there are any feelings most of them stays in monologue and thoughts only.

adding to that nagi note, personally found it funny that he nearly get into same team with nagi TWICE (pre u20 team selection, nel choice where he is conflicted between german or england) but he never followed thru with it. this probably has more to do with nagi's motif & such rather than his, which this post wasn't here for sry nagi, and the fact that both that they are protagonists in the main and spinoff. but yeah, personally? it's funny it happened twice. especially factoring the fact they are close enough to have each other's number and isagi admits he has a nice chemical reaction with nagi.

i genuinely wonder how he interacts with kaiser outside of field. like. dude. i know it's funny.

might also add now that it seems the four people he is closest with is bachira and chigiri. was, with kunigami too but yeah. bachira especially, with the two keep being called two side of a coin/a soul. again, shipping lens or not, they are pretty close and isagi really seems to have come to a point where he is okay with bachira's habits no matter how odd. (personal bias, really sweet considering bachira has no friends before this and isagi while is friend with tada WE KNOW HOW IT ALL TURNS OUT). with chigiri, seems like the type of friends who look out for each other (isagi once shown checking his knee and messaging him, while chigiri is the first one jumping into action when shidou nearly kicked him). then you also add that chigiri only ever, on screen at least, opened up about his past to isagi and honestly yeah. shipping lens or not, these two definitely the looking after each other dynamic. kunigami come back, or at least interact with isagi more pls.

WHICH ALSO, seems like isagi is the only one reo kind of opened up to with his insecurities after the 2nd selection—kunigami and chigiri seems to get it too, but at least it was never shown on screen that he opened up the more vulnerable side of his anger at nagi and isagi to them. these two has a pretty good relationship it seems after that screening room scene. (might revise or at to this when epi nagi reach this part)

but this seems unsurprising in some ways because isagi really seems like the listening type. some people said these type of people is good when it comes to getting people opening up. also seems like isagi really never run his mouth so good choice actually. (look at him even he doesnt open up his own emotion how could he do that with other people's emotion. what is this a sign of pent emotion or just a sign of actual limited emotional intelligence when it came to processing them? who knows. blue lock's highly stressful and intense environment is also a factor here but hey, look at how isagi was in ichinan. might be old habits)

he is scarily cold and detached to his bonds when it came to soccer, it seems? like, he is still capable of sympathy even during the heat of the moment, unless you make him angry (both cases: yukki). but for the sake of his play his priority really is on "this is the play that i want" rather than friendships and stuff. on one side, professionality. on the other, yeah egoist.

outside of field doesn't seem to go out of his way to dig up about someone's backstory in "asking and digging and wanting to talk about feelings with them", but will listen if told. (i.e. chigiri acl convo, reo opening up, casually talking about soccer again after noa ego relationship bomb drop, etc.) seems to be more as 'minding his own business and being not nosy', which is kind of in line with his politeness.

then you bring soccer and his ideal play and it gets really cold. he really think of soccer as 'cruel' and it kind of shows with how little he thinks of outside-of-field-relation during a game. (really shows if you compare how most characters personal story, rin and reo for example, has a huge impact on their play) his brain really has an on and off switch with the niceness.

at some point in blue lock, his closest circle is bachira, chigiri, kunigami (could be canon or could be due to the fact these four are kind of the quadruplet of bllk). he is pretty much the guy most of everyone knows and has at least spoken with once after u20 tho.

but other than those 4, it seems that the one he have more highlighted rivalry are niko, barou, rin, and nagi, with yukimiya coming in later in bm. it's funny how isagi seems pretty attached to them in a pretty friendly manner in some ways. barou and rin is just on another level of "i will kill you" getting answered with "sure, okay, geez" (and it's hilarious. with barou, isagi shared meals, was a roommate, and went bowling together once. with rin, he did yoga, laughed at his death threat, and was pissed because rin was impolite. i can go on but moving on). nagi and isagi canonically get along pretty well out of screen. isagi is roommate with yukimiya—i didn't except this combo back then but i really want to know their interactions in that room, especially during and after their conflict.

then there is hiyori, kurona, and nanase's case whose relationship with him is more on the 'supporting side'. with reo, it seems to also fall into the rivalry category—but this guy's relationship with isagi is kind of more about reo-nagi relationship than with isagi himself. with aiku, it's rivalry between defender and attacker (resembles niko the most but the things these two said to each other is way wilder). then there is kaiser—i will wait til nel arc is done.

there are crumbs with some other charas like sae—but these two didn't interact (yet?) in canon. with noa, it's admiration and respect, to put it simply, but it seems it's leaning more into actual mentorship that is more casual compared to how most of bm is with noa (imo, take this part with a grain of salt). with ego, it's...surprisingly complicated on a meta level from my perspective at least.

isagi clearly agrees and thrives with ego's philosophy, but other than taking ego's words/guidance isagi was rude to him. then there is stuff like some part of their design being similar to each other (v hair, eyes on some panels tho this also happens with other charas, beta isagi sketch) and how during nel ego - isagi similarities get commented by noa and snuffy (tho on snuffy case is more of barou - isagi is like ego - noa, who is who tho we don't know for sure). it feels like there is more on these two for the future.

with his family, it's just sweet. his family is proud and supportive of him. and seeing how isagi is pretty independent as in his attachment style is very secure in blue lock, even with how ichinan basically turned him into a people pleaser, yeah definitely and canonically a good family there. he greets them every morning as part of his morning routine, and he is the only character who mention this in said trivia.

enjoys his alone time, based on his trivia. the introvert part is loud and clear.

he doesn't really get jealous easily. like rather than envy, it's more of frustration directed towards himself or straight up being pissed because said someone played a factor in why he couldn't make a goal. but most of the time, when he sees someone's strength, it came out more as an admiration and "i should do more and stand out more too!!!" rather than comparing himself and feels negativity. this especially never happen to his perception towards his capabilities. the closest thing we ever get to him feeling envy is perhaps the parts where he goes "i don't have weapon like them" when talking about chigiri's speed, kaiser impact, and others' specialities. but even then it never really lingers.

and from that probably also shows that isagi is really good at looking someone's strength or specialities. but this seems to also happen in looking at weaknesses and chances. he really does tries to take into account tendencies, skills, blind spots, etc. honestly thinking about this make sense why he immediately collapsed after vs mc, the information loading must be insane. but all in all, the main point is that he is pretty good at reviewing and observing stuffs indeed.

high achiever with an amazing durability. as said word by word by kaiser himself, this guy look at something way more amazing than himself and keep taking it as a challenge. aka his mental strength is insane—or his competitiveness is just that crazy. no wonder he thrives in blue lock where so many people want to him eat alive.

after thinking for a bit and connecting it with the 'not teaming with nagi during the u20 tryouts', it seems like also the guy who avoids his comfort zone, in area of skills and plays in this case. he seems to actively challenge himself.

seriously the type of guy who do and chase what he wants. egoist indeed.

but thinking about that, it also speaks of his adaptability and flexibility. while the part that definitely carries more tension, seriousness, and definitely didn't take shit came out so much in soccer, the way he interacts with those who are friendly with him is so different with those who are antagonistic with him. though so far, with the exception of kaiser it seems, he at some point ended up in a pretty good relationship with some of those—rin and barou are most telling. the antagonism is back on when they are in seperate team tho, but hey this is blue lock.

his moment of satisfaction is really fast—as in he like cheers for a bit, most of the time, then focus on the next challenge. this could be caused by: 1) blue lock highly competitive and rapidly changing environment; 2) it's just how he is build.

#blue lock #bllk isagi #isagi yoichi #isagi #bllk #bluelock #this is like character study #if character study is literally studying a character who lives rent free in your head for three months and counting #so still #character study #i guess #ehe 👍#for my own sake im putting this tag #im just rambling at this point but hey

143 notes · View notes