October 22-28 is Ace Week 2023, so I’d like to give a spotlight to some manga I have enjoyed that have also touched on asexuality.
I Want To Be A Wall by Honami Shirono
A 3 volume Josei manga about the lavender marriage between Gakurouta, a closeted gay man who pines for his childhood friend, and Yuriko, an aromantic, asexual BL fangirl.
She Loves To Cook, and She Loves To Eat by Sakaomi Yuzaki
An ongoing yuri Josei manga with a TV adaptation about two women who bond over food. The series recently introduced Yako, an asexual lesbian, and it’s possible that protagonist Nomoto may be on the ace spectrum as well.
Is Love The Answer? by Uta Isaki
A single volume josei manga about Chika, a young college student who has always considered herself an “alien” because she has no desire for romance or physical intimacy, but finds community with people like herself.
Our Dreams At Dusk: Shimanami Tasogare by Yuhki Kamatani
A 4 volume Seinen manga about a closeted gay boy who gets to know the patrons of a drop-in center who all turn out to be part of the LGBTQ community. Someone-san might be considered a deuteragonist of the story.
I’d also like to mention two yuri manga I haven’t finished yet- I have only read the first volume of both- but because of what others have said I know they feature asexual characters!
what's poppin TyoBabi fandom, I got a present for you
.zip File Download:
DISCS 1 & 2 (109MB)
This FST is basically an in-depth run down of the collection of songs that were sung/mentioned/in the "VOL. 7/BOX" chapter of Tokyo Babylon 5, with some info about the artists and songs themselves. This, as far as I know, is the most thorough run-through of the music of "BOX" on the English web! I've divided it into two "discs", the first being the songs mentioned themselves, and the second being a few fun related extras. You can check out the second disc over on Radio Free T.Y.O, if you're interested ♥
Ginza no Koi no Monogatari
銀座の恋の物語 - "Ginza Love Story"
石原裕次郎・牧村旬子 - Ishihara Yuujirou and Makimura Junko
mp3 download || youtube
The song that Seishirou and Hokuto are pouring their very souls into to perform in the beginning of the chapter. Released in 1961, this a smoky, jazzy duet typical of its time, telling the story of two star-crossed lovers, one in Tokyo and one in Ginza. It was an immediate hit, even having a movie based upon it made, starring Ishihara-san in the lead role. It's a staple duet in karaoke even to this day.
The song that the random selector spits up for Subaru to sing, which Sei-chan subsequently picks up after sending him off to buy cigarettes/exorcise the OL. This was released in 1984, by Tachi Hiroshi, a singer and actor who became quite the sensation when he had a starring role in 西部警察 (Seibu Keisatsu; "Western Police") -- incidentally, directed by the abovementioned Ishihara-san, as you'd have it. "Nakanaide" was a hit, coming in 59th on the ORICON's 1984 top singles list. It's from his seventh album In the Mood.
The song that the OL ghost sings. A dark and heartfelt song about a dying love, it was a massive hit when it was released in 1987, shooting straight to the top of the ORICON charts (as Nakamori-san's 17th number one hit), and has been a karaoke regular since then, just as the OL says in the chapter. Originally written and performed by the very respected Kato Tokiko for her 最後のダンスパーティ (Saigo no Dance Party; "Last Dance Party") album of 1984; she personally requested that Nakamori-san perform the song. It's been covered countless times, including by the original singer/songwriter and the cover artist themselves.
Not actually sung, but the OL ghost suggests she'd like to sing it next. A dramatic and emotional slice of idol pop from the Eternal Idol herself, Matsuda Seiko (who also performs "Who's That Boy", found on Single White). Released in 1987 as a promo-only single from her fifteenth studio album, 1988's Citron. Despite never being released as an official single, it's one of Matsuda's more popular songs, especially karaoke-wise. It's rather interesting that the OL picks a Matsuda song directly after a Nakamori Akina track -- the pair were notorious rivals in the 80s, supposedly even in love.
The song Hokuto is singing when Subaru attempts to sneak back into the karaoke box. Released in 1991, it peaked at #4 on the ORICON charts, and was remixed on Moritaka's second remix album as ザ・勉強の歌 (Za・Benkyo no Uta; "The・Study Song"). It was used as the opening theme to the anime TV series "Mischievous Twins: The Tales of St. Clare's". It's a totally gimmicky song (complete with voguing in the very weird video clip), though cheerful and catchy, so its popularity on the karaoke circuit at the time shouldn't surprise anyone. (You just know that Hokuto unironically adored this song, and drove Subaru batty by singing it at every opportunity.)
Wakaretemo Suki na Hito
別れても好きな人 - "Beloved Even if We're Separated"
ロス・インディオス&シルヴィア - Los Indios & Silvia
mp3 download || youtube
The song that Hokuto announces Subaru should sing with Seishirou as punishment for being late. Another staple in the duets section of karaoke, still, this 1979 release was actually a cover. The song was released by two Toshiba EMI artists, Matsudaira Kemeko and the Purple Shadows, respectively, in 1969. In October 1975, Los Indios released a single-voice version, and in 1979 it was rearranged as a male and female duet, with some lyrics changed slightly. The song was an instant hit, and by 1980, it had sold a million copies.
Am I in pain? Hell yes I am, because do you actually know what this means? Despite of the horrible feeling that you are never wanted, that you bring misfortune? How traumatic must that have been for a small child, that he doesn't want to talk at all.
But the father is also to be pitied because he himself was stuck in his superstitions, which at the moment were more important than the love to his wife. Only Akeno-san's death opened his eyes, because he also loved his son in a way, but he was broken (as many characters).
In a way Yoriichi is in one point very much like his fathers son, if it is about the love of their life. They can't fall in love again and can't remarry. Choosing solitude over everything. How pure must his love for Uta have been? How hurt must he have been if he was not able to move for 10 days away from her corpse. Not drinking or eating anything. What strain must that be on his body and soul. (I am still crying everytime when I read chapter 186)
But he was also healing in a way. Especially after 2 years when he went to Sumiyoshi and opened up, talking about everything that had happened to him. And still, nobody was able to fill the emptiness in his heart that Uta's death left behind.
fav thing: HES SO!!!!! FUCJED UP AND EVIL!!!!!!! HE JUST WANTS TO BE LOVED BUT HE DOESNT KNOW HOW!!!!!!!!! SO HE LIES AND LIES AND LIES AND IT KILLS HIM AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN :3 :3 :3 :3 :3 :3 most epicful little guy. he’s my he’s my he’s my little specialest little sillyest of guys.!!.!!..!..:.
least fav thing: the. sasaki uta thing. i get it i know why they had him do that i just. idk how necessary it was. it’s partially the writing partially the character but mostly the writing. also the abominable detrans shit ishida when i catch you ishida. what are you doing to my boy tbh
fav line: “i’m sensitive to lies bc i’m a liar myself” bc he ISSSSSSSSS :3 :3 :3 HES SUCH A LIAR :3 :3 SOMEBODY FIX HIM
brotp: mutsaura is so important to me they are so horrible together that’s littlerly a fucked up kiddo and his evil guy the atrocities girl
otp: hm. gee this one is really hard. there are so many good ones and they’re all equally good i just don’t know which to pick hmmmmmmmutsurie. DUH
notp: sasamutsi? mutsuken? wtv it is it’s just. not a very hot take it’s just bad. “i love sasaki san” LIARRR you’re obsessed. therapy
random hc: methinks mutsi is superstitious. in a mild way tho like make a wish at 11:11 don’t split the pole knock on wood that kinda stuff
unpopular opinion: not so much on here just a little but whenever i go out into the wild i see so many ppl thinking mutsuki is actually a girl. jesucristo learn how to read
song: many. many many many but
putting a goblin song is so fucked up of me but yknow. him in his white hair era
fav pic:
he’s not taking his SHIT ANYMORE he knows it’s all an ACT he’s SENSITIVE TO LIES :3 :3 :3 :3
I love so much that “Bepo is Law’s weakness” is arguably canon. It’s not “Law’s weakness is cute things” like some ppl in fandom try to say since Law is pretty visibly unaffected by Chopper, little kids, all the standard “cute things” in OP. It’s literally just Bepo and his cuteness that has an effect on Law, and we see it in reaction to Bepo going “🥺” when Bepo was sick, letting Bepo hug him all the time, taking Bepo to Uta concert only bc he knows Bepo wants to go, etc. LawBepo is such a perfect ship, massively underrated ship frfr 🩷🩷🩷🩷
there is this very good compilation pic from @/daily_trafalgar on twitter with a caption "law's reaction to cute things"
you mean barely a reaction
and then there is Bepo
Bepo is special he is spoiled and coddled and can do anything he wants with barely a word from Law. i do think Law is good with kids but Bepo is a grown man - his best friend
and as much as some lawbepo non-shippers want to see them as parent and child -you dont see someone YOU grew up with. YOU were children at the same time with - and grew up alongside each other as a CHILD. You just don't see them as that, it's nonsense. Yes he is like law's little brother but not a child
(i call him Law's baby like 20 times a day but that's in a way that a cute girlfriend is "baby")
Saying all this to say that "oh Law is weak to Bepo's cuteness because he is like Law's baby" (implying child) or even worse = when people call him a pet They grew up together - 4 year difference is forgotten about -you are peers - yes of course Bepo is both subordinate and looks up to Law as an stronger smarter leader etc. but thats not a parental dynamic at all.
its a very serious, rational and collected guy and his favorite guy who he spoils in big and little ways and have been spoiling him their whole lives...
i love that Law saved Bepo from getting his ass beat and dying alone and brought him home and they just stayed in that dynamic their whole life and both became adults but this "Bepo is precious and weak af and i love him" pretty much didn't change.
and Bepo is so comfortable with it. novel was Law focused so it never gave Bepo an "I'LL TO PROVE MYSELF TO YOU THAT YOU DONT HAVE TO PROTECT ME ALL THE TIME I CAN HOLD MY OWN" arc - and that would make sense for his character if there was time/desire to focus on him but because of those constraints Bepo bypassed that and i kinda love it? (you can call it another of many copes of mine idc) but him NOT having a standart "little brother" arc is awesome, Bepo is very comfortable in his role and when he speaks its always
"I'll do my best for you and help where i can because you are so amazing" there is zero of his own ego. He is comfortable in his "lower rank" role, he doesn't strive to be Law's equal he knows he can't be! Law san is the greatest!!
Law is happy with it too because he is a protector in nature (look at his bigass crew ;-;♥) so bepo being HAPPY to be protected makes him happy too. It makes Law feel strong and good, it plays on his ego in a positive way being looked up to and sought out as a protector - yes it's pressure (that Bepo does his best to elevate) but it's not negative and Law takes it happily, it's good to feel needed. And it all started with Bepo and they preserved that - Law is always strong and cool leader and protector and Bepo is always UUUU CAPTAIN 🥺😭🥺😭🥺😭
they are the best and i love them so much it's such a special dynamic and it makes Law's character so much better
This list will be continuously updated from time to time.
Everything on this list will be my personal recommendations for manga that either give off the aspec vibes, have a canon character or have an indirectly labeled character. I will admit a lot of these may be headcanons more than anything, but they aren't without their backing.
I'm using the term aspec as an umbrella term for arospec and acespec.
Trigger Warning Key:
*Contains Sexual References (Jokes, Mentions, etc.)
+Depictions of Sexual Imagery/Complete Nudity (Usually won't go that far, but just to be safe.
-Homophobia,Transphobia, Aphobia, etc.
!Themes of Suicide
/Gratuitous Violence, Gore
Aspec Stories with Canon Characters:
In which the words are said.
Mine-Kun is Asexual by Isaki Uta (ace)
My Astible by Amupaka * (aroace and demiaroace)
Our Dreams at Dusk by Kamatani Yuhki *-! (aroace)
Is Love the Answer? by Isaki Uta - (aroace)
Sex Education 120% by Takaki Kikiki, Illustrated by Hotomura *+ (aroace)
I Want to Be a Wall by Shirono Honami (aroace)
Scum's Wish Décor by Yokoyari Mengo *+- (aroace) (sequel anthology, haven't read the original)
Ame ga Shinai Koto by Okaya Izumi * (aroace) (they don't say the words but "never falls in love" is just right there)
Bloom into You by Nio Nakatani * (aroace) (demiromantic lesbians)
Kiryuu-sensei wa Renai ga Wakaranai by Haruka Ono * (aroace)
Kanojo ni Naritai Kimi to Boku by Umi Takase *-! (alloace)
Ano Yoru no Pool by Pukupuku (aroallo)
Romantic Killer by Wataru Momose * (aroallo)
Hatsukoi, Catharsis by Nuko Hatokawa * (gayace)
Lilies and Voices Born Upon the Wind by Mei Renjouji *- (aroace) (pan, demiace)
She Loves to Cook, She Loves to Eat by Sakaomi Yuzaki (ace lesbian)
Sensitive Boy by 46 *+! (aroace supporting)
Basically Unconfirmed but Implied Aspec Headcanons (Some Personal, Some Universal):
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. by Asou Shuuichi (aroace)
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End by Yamada Kanehito, Illustrated by Abe Tsukasa * (aroace)
Oshi no Ko by Akasaka Aka *! (aroallo)
It's Not Meguro-san's First Time by 9℃ *+ (alloace and aroallo)
Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon by Usui Shio *- (demiaro ace lesbians)
Last Gender: When We Are Nameless by Taki Rei *+-! (arospec aspec)
Umi ga Hashiru End Roll by Tarachine John (aroace)
Fly Me to The Moon by Hata Kenjiro * (aroace)
I Think Our Son Is Gay by Okura *- (aroace)
Renai Daikou by Akasaka Aka, Illustrated by Nishizawa 5mm * (arospec)
Spy x Family by Endou Tatsuya */ (aroacespec) (I'll die on this hill)
One Piece by Eiichiro Oda *+-!/ (aroace)
The Apothecary Diaries by Hyuuga Natsu & Nanao Ikki, Illustrated by Nekokurage *!/ (aroacespec)
Something Like the Dust That Is My World by Amano Shuninta*+- (aroallo)
Seibetsu "Mona Lisa" no Kimi e by Tsumuji Yoshimura *+-! (aroacespec) (kinda bad ideology of gender binary)
Dr.Stone by Riichiro Ingaki, Illustrated by Boichi * (aroace)
Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun by Izumi Tsubaki * (aroace)
My Love Story!! by Kazune Kawahara, Illustrated by Aruko * (aroace)
Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge by Nozomi Uda * (aroallo)
February: Kisaragi Koi
KOI: Actually, I get lonely very easily, so look after me regularly.
(whimper)🐕🦺
#Tsukiuta 10th
#Jusshin Geppo
#Tsuki no Uta Festival
☆ TSUKIUTA 10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL ☆
March: Yayoi Haru
HARU: I shall inform them that, tonight, I shall not let you go.
#Tsukiuta 10th
#Jusshin Geppo
#Tsuki no Uta Festival
☆ TSUKIUTA 10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL ☆
April: Uduki Arata
ARATA: Lightly swaying
#Tsukiuta 10th
#Jusshin Geppo
#Tsuki no Uta Festival
☆ TSUKIUTA 10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL ☆
May: Satsuki Aoi
AOI: There are no tricks regarding my feelings for you. These 10 years worth of gratitude, may they be carried on these wings.
#Tsukiuta 10th
#Jusshin Geppo
#Tsuki no Uta Festival
☆ TSUKIUTA 10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL ☆
June: Minaduki Rui
RUI: Shall I give you this cool and cute mint green 🍨?
#Tsukiuta 10th
#Jusshin Geppo
#Tsuki no Uta Festival
☆ TSUKIUTA 10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL ☆
July: Fuduki Kai
KAI: 📢 Sharing my love for you to the entire world~!!!
#Tsukiuta 10th
#Jusshin Geppo
#Tsuki no Uta Festival
☆ TSUKIUTA 10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL ☆
August: Haduki You
YOU: To convey my love for you, in a red mailbox, a letter 💌📮 will! Mhmmm~~~~! But well, it can't be conveyed through words alone, now can it? ♥
#Tsukiuta 10th
#Jusshin Geppo
#Tsuki no Uta Festival
☆ TSUKIUTA 10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL ☆
September: Nagatsuki Yoru
YORU: Lots of entertainment and treats have been prepared!
#Tsukiuta 10th
#Jusshin Geppo
#Tsuki no Uta Festival
☆ TSUKIUTA 10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL ☆
October: Kannaduki Iku
IKU: A fun festival is about to begin. May I have your hand? We'll be together, my only princess!
#Tsukiuta 10th
#Jusshin Geppo
#Tsuki no Uta Festival
☆ TSUKIUTA 10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL ☆
November: Shimotsuki Shun
SHUN: Now then, let us have a moon banquet. Dance with me for the rest of your life♪
#Tsukiuta 10th
#Jusshin Geppo
#Tsuki no Uta Festival
☆ TSUKIUTA 10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL ☆
December: Shiwasu Kakeru
KAKERU: Over and over again, at any time, let's raise the curtain! To show the radiance of the glittering stars!✨
#Tsukiuta 10th
#Jusshin Geppo
#Tsuki no Uta Festival
☆ TSUKIUTA 10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL ☆
January: Mutsuki Hajime
HAJIME: Checkmate♔
#Tsukiuta 10th
#Jusshin Geppo
#Tsuki no Uta Festival
☆ TSUKIUTA 10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL ☆
Text on image: I get it??? You've placed my heart in checkmate.
#The Inner Voice of A Mutsuki Hajime's Appraiser
☆ TSUKIUTA 10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL ☆
Text on Image: I get it??? Merch will be available in a while, so please look forward to it
SHUN: Ah, my apologies. I said the wrong thing accidentally.
YOU: YOUUUUU DEFINITELY WANTED TO SAY THAT!!! And stop it with that uselessly high quality💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢💢
#Please look forward to future announcements
☆ TSUKIUTA 10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL ☆
SHUN: Kat-chan's🐟 illustrations will be released in a bit~🎶
YORU: He means Katsuo-san!!!!!
#Tsukiuta 10th
#Jusshin Geppo
#Tsuki no Uta Festival
i’m pretty certain that’s not shanks’ own wedding. from what i’ve seen in the japanese fandom the general consensus is that it’s not his wedding and he’s a guest. (a popular theory is that it’s uta’s wedding but idk about that…) i’d bet it’s something to do with the giants (which oda didn’t want to reveal yet) just from the way it’s drawn is meant to deliberately hide the size of the church and the other guests. there’s a guy in the background who’s cheering at the church while facing away from shanks at the same time the doves are being released. it’s a crucial moment and shanks is just off to the side reading the newspaper.
i’m so certain shanks doesn’t have another kid, that would fuck up his character. oda loves shanks, and he loves his father-daughter relationships. he’d never make shanks into the kind of guy who’d willingly start a new happy family while uta’s back in Elegia suffering. it also just goes against the whole theme of bonds being stronger than blood? shanks leaves his adopted daughter miserable and suicidal, but takes care to ensure his biological child he hasn’t met is safe and loved? i just can’t imagine that being the ending.
i also see japanese fans saying they’d think shanks was a scummy guy towards uta if he went and had a kid, so i’ve seen people leaning towards beck instead. apparently oda emphasizing that beck loves women is a big indicator.
another reason some fans say it’s not shanks is because makino calls him ‘taichou-san’ which is a very formal address. how people refer to each other is very important. so there’s a hint in how it’s distant and like a stranger’s behavior.
my personal opinion is that the dad is just a regular villager or a marine. there’s a lot of men who are way closer distance wise so that would be the simplest answer. there’s a good chance oda just doesn’t know or care when only one parent matters. we don’t even know yamato or luffy’s mom.
hi, anon!! sorry for making you wait. it's actually funny that i forgot to reply to this for so long, because in that time, my feelings have slightly... changed? somewhat??? i'll explain.
i was reading the extra "road to laughtale" volumes for fun recently when i stumbled across shanks' section, and there are some interesting implications which actually contradict my previous thoughts, if true.
the language used here -- that shanks is "attending a wedding ceremony," and "performing a benediction" -- sounds less like a man getting married, and more like a man who officiated someone else's wedding. (of course, there's the matter of translation accuracy and how canon this information actually is, but...)
"benediction" in particular is very interesting. not only is shanks attending a wedding, but he is essentially giving his blessing. how literal this is, i can't be sure, but either way, it implies a sense of familiarity/closeness to a party other than himself. perhaps shanks is giving his figurative "blessing" as an emperor to one of his allies, or maybe as a captain to one of his own crewmates. or maybe, in the most literal interpretation, he was responsible for wedding two individuals in some way.
i'd love to get my hands on the raw scans and see alternative translations, but "benediction" is so specific a term, and the repetition of "attending" reads as intentional. again, we still don't know for sure, but i feel a lot less certain about it being shanks' wedding, now!!
So because mod can't find the original tally post heres a new one that has been updated... "X" means there are none on here yet...Also mod insisted on using first and last names to avoid confusion among those from alternate dimensions and timelines, if either is unlisted it is because it has not been revealed yet...And for those that are Un-named mod has been coming up with names for them and will be listed in parentheses.
I was tagged by: @hexsreality (thank you <3)
I am tagging: @adversitybloomed @mearizus (Jin Ling) @melodysian (uta), @soundingstars (Cheong-San), @ghcstchild , @multeasers (A-Qing), @cuckoo-among-beasts
Prelude: The First Movement
You are the opening of the suite, the beginnings everyone awaits, the soft hum of the violins tuning as it grows louder and louder till the lights come on. You are the excitement one feels knowing they have this world to themselves, and the love one feels knowing there cannot be an end. You are the comfort of the unknown instead of the fear, and the happiness you hold, though it may fade, will always return to you. You are the beauty most lack, and the originality everyone strives for. You are the warmth of a light that never fades. Your song: Bach Street Prelude by Vanessa Mae
Strawhat crew (+ bonus) take care of you while you're sick
SFW - Platonic GN!reader insert
Notes : I've been sick during holidays, and maybe you've been too! So here's some comfort with the Strawhat crew (+ Shanks, Buggy and Law because I needed it).
Sorry for the eventual grammar or spelling errors, English is not my first language
. . . . . . . . . .
During your trip to the last island, you enjoyed your free time alone to taste local dishes. Much like your captain, eating was a great deal for you and you made it your personal mission to experiment every street food you could find. Unfortunately, this time, something went wrong... Was it the sea monster mariné or the colorful ice cream on the beach? You couldn't tell. What you could tell, however, was how sick you felt in the hours after the Thousand Sunny sailed away from the island...
Chopper is of course the first one to notice your complexion turning from your usual healthy tone to a grim, greyish paleness. The sweet reindeer takes you to his infirmary, lays you on the bed and does a complete check up :
"It's not good at all! You suffer from a severe form of gastroenteritis" he states, roaming around you, poking your feverish head here, probing your aching belly there. His general agitation makes you dizzy and you close your eyes. When you open them again, Chopper is grinding medicinal herbs to cook you up some remedy.
Luffy is probably the most worried. He's almost never sick, so seeing you in that state makes him really uncomfortable. He tries to talk you out of sickness by making an extensive list of all the things he's been eating and you've been missing since you're in bed, which only worsen your nausea. He's upset to be so helpless and ends up bringing you some candies to apologize. You accept it just to see him return to his warm, beaming usual self, but when he looks away you discreetly pass the sweets to Chopper.
Sanji cooks you a healthy broth. He's taken a list of things you can or cannot eat from your little Dr. Reindeer, and even if the list is scarce and clearly not the kind to make your mouth water, he manages to make it taste good, really good. When you thank him for his effort in keeping you alive and hydrated, he pats your head and advises you to be more careful with what you eat next time.
Zoro acts absolutely unconcerned by your illness, but strangely, as long as you're bedridden, he's often seen taking a nap in a corner of the sickbay. When, between two fever-induced slumbers, you ask him if he's doing this to keep you company, he denies and pretends it's only because he wants to avoid "some stupid cook".
Nami comes to chat with you every day. Once, she shares a precious childhood memory about being sick and taken care of by Bellmer, hoping that you feel as loved now in your crew as she had been back then.
Brook also comes to check on your health regularly. He generally has his guitar or violin with him and will play music and sing very softly. He's convinced that music can cure pretty much everything so he applies his treatment to you, hoping it'll amplify Chopper's medicine's positive effects.
"You know, nakama-san, to see you suffer like this, it breaks my heart. Even though I don't have one, because I'm a skeleton. Yo-ho ho ho ho ho!"
Robin comes everyday with the latest newspaper, so she keeps you informed about what happens on Grand Line. And also, to gossip.
"Who would have thought a yonko like Red-haired Shanks would have a daughter, and a famous singer one? Unusual, isn't it? I wonder who Uta's mother could be..."
You were chatting about Water 7's new assistant to mayor Iceburg when she casually asks you if you're aware that gastroenteritis sometimes causes death, after an utterly painful agony.
Franky tells you that, in his opinion, you just need to drink more cola (you're startled when he shouts it COOOH-LAH because he can't help being super) Sanji tells him to shut up, but Chopper actually corrects the cook :
"If it's stirred well to take away the bubbles, Cola can actually be very helpful with this condition! It keeps the body hydrated and the sugar intake compensates for the almost complete incapacity to eat. Good idea, Franky!"
Franky is beaming with pride to be taken seriously ( Oh, yeah!) while Sanji's absolutely dumbfounded. Robin later swears that in this instant, she's heard Zoro snort through his sleep.
Usopp is the crew mate you see the least. He'd never admit it, but he's afraid your sickness could be infectious. On his way to his first visit, he overheard Robin's comment about its lethality and he's a little afraid to die now... You'll only see him when Chopper affirms that your sickness is displeasing but really common and that there's absolutely nothing to fear. Once he finally sees you, he'll brag about his (imaginary) past grandeur:
"Have I ever told you how I survived the Grand Eastian purple plague? I've been sick for seventy-four days and a half! Horrible, insufferable pain ran through my lungs as every breath made me feel like twenty-thousands millions of tiny daggers were piercing holes in my chest! And my fever was so high my men used my forehead as a heating plate to cook healthy, warm meals! Be sure that I know what you feel, even if you only have some nausea, an aching tummy and a little fever. You have to hang on, you'll live through this like I survived the mighty plague!
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Bonus points
When Shanks sees you puking overboard, his first thought is that you probably overestimated your ability to drink. He brings you a bucket of clean water, thinking you'll rise up, wash yourself and start again, but when he reaches you, you remain half-dead over the railing. It's only then he worries that maybe you could have something less common than a hangover... He helps you to stand and walk to your bunk, and as soon as you're in bed, he calls Hongo to check on you.
He checks on you daily and when you feel better he jokes about reconsidering your presence in his crew if you can be defeated by a tiny virus... (he would never, as the rest of his crew, you're part of his family now).
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You're training for tonight's show with Buggy's crew when pain rises in your guts. Something's wrong, really wrong !
You quickly stand and run out of the circus ring, to your captain's surprise. You vaguely hear him shout something, but your nausea is nasty, you can't stop and you certainly can't focus on his words! A few meters from you now, you notice an old, empty bucket and run faster to it, not caring for the footsteps and the incessant shrieking behind you.
You grab the bucket as Buggy's hands grab your shoulders and his words, barked just next to your ears, finally come to make some sense:
"Where the fuck do you think you're..."
You can't hold back anymore and vomit into the bucket. In the corner of your eyes, you catch a glimpse of your captain's floating head. You hope for him that he'll retreat in time.
It takes a long minute or two for your guts to finally let you catch your breathe. Only then do you notice that the hold on your shoulder is still very much there, but something feels different. Buggy's not clutching as harshly as before... Instead, his fingers very slightly rub into your flesh. The feeling is comforting, but the idea of puking almost straight to his face is rather embarrassing...
You don't dare to look up when you stammer:
"So...sorry captain, I ... I think 'm sick."
He pats your back and his hands finally leave you. From behind, you hear him answer.
" Yeah, I kinda noticed that. As soon as you can walk, go visit the doctor. We need you in the show as soon as possible..."
Relieved that he's not angry, you hear him walk away from you, probably back to the ring.
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You've been feeling funny for a few hours... When you can't work properly anymore, you decide to talk about it to your captain and doctor Trafalgar Law.
He takes a brief moment to examine you.
"A common stomach influenza. It's unpleasant, but nothing serious. Stay in bed for the next 36 hours, I'll regularly visit you to check on how you feel and medicate you."
You fall asleep really quickly after going to your bunk, driven into weird, fever-induced dreams.
The feeling of a fresh hand on your forehead brings you back to the real world and without thinking, you hum with contentment. You don't even have the time to open your eyes before the furtive contact has ended. Somewhere inside your mind, you know who it is, but you're too sick to care now and you return to your slumber.
When it happens again then, you notice the cold palm remains for a longer time, bringing a much needed relief against your hot skin.
"Thank you captain" you mutter, still half asleep.
He answers that's nothing but his job.
When the fever drops and you're finally able to stay awake, he still checks on you every couple of hours, repeating the same gesture over and over. Now that you're feeling better, it seems a bit odd to you that he'd check your fever with his hand instead of a thermometer, but you wouldn't dare to complain. He's a skilled professional, and to be fair, you like the way it feels on your forehead.