Nitori & Reisen "Cheese!"

i think we as a community can agree that

jeff: hot nerd (derogatory).

bible: hot nerd (honorific).

mile: hot nerd (elderly, professionally diagnosed)

us: hot.

I kind of want to reread hourou musuko but there's a part I think when they first get to middle school? that made me SO sad idek why? perhaps (almost certainly) dysphoria related. So maybe it won't be so bad now

I finally got to the end of my reread of Wandering Son today and. Lemme tell ya when Nitroin finally says to Anna that she wants to be a girl and Anna just says to her "Well would that make me a lesbian" just hits me in the heart. Like, she loved Nitorin so much that she didnt even hesitate to accept this new identity, she just knew she wanted to be with her.

My favourite transgener character of all time

Nitorin from Hourou Musuko

Also, since Nitorin's a little worried about Sanae-san's sanity, she'll gift her one if the consoles she has in her possession~

...it's a Famicom.

But hey at least she has the first Zelda and Dragon Quest-

This is a really heartfelt gift, so the massive miko is sweeping her up in a squishy hug as she giggles happily.

Just never let her see a ps3.

Learning that something like that can be called retro now would destroy her.

I read wandering son a few months ago, and I really can't stress enough how important it was for me... I remember being 15 and still closeted, not knowing I was trans, coming across the manga and reading a few chapters but having to put it down. It shook me deeply, in a way I couldn't understand, and I wonder how I would have reacted if I'd kept reading up to the point where Nitorin reached my age at the time (though it was probably for the best that I postponed it five years).

So much quiet pain is suffered during any trans childhood, and the manga perfectly manages to capture that. There’s an always present longing creeping into any interaction that remotely tackles gender with a sad, strong melancholy. Every trans person can relate to that.

Being transfem though, is a much more specific experience, and though Wandering Son might fall short while developing Tatsuki’s (transmasc) character, it really excels with Nitorin.

I’ve always wanted to write trans fiction, something half as impactful as this if I’m ever good enough. And though I’ve tried several times to write about trans childhoods (be it knowing that you’re trans or navigating the uncertainty of obliviousness), I always end up looking back on my characters and wondering, ‘Do I really want to leave them there? Doesn’t it feel like a story told halfway when it will end on the verge of the freedom that adulthood will bring these kids?’ Because, honestly, a child that gets to transition before puberty is a lucky singularity, and while nothing beats the happiness brought by finally recognising oneself as you do transition, that usually happens after you’ve come of age. 

But when Shuu writes ‘I am a girl’ as both a coming out statement and a farewell to the reader, it is triumphant. It is one final truth that seals the fifteen books of Wandering Son, something that feels so earned after all that we’ve seen her go through. It overcomes all cultural barriers, it brought me to tears.

This story, in its context and when it came out, felt meaningful like almost nothing I’d read before ever had. It is a hard story. It is extremely hard to get through when you’re transfem, and twists and turns your insides like only a good mirror can. It’s melancholic, it’s sad, it’s overcoming. It feels like facing the grief of one of the biggests losses that can come out of being trans (childhood) and have it stare at you for an uncomfortably long time. It’s a painful reminder of all the hardships you’ve ever faced, or of the ones that you’re still confronting. And yet I'm so thankful it exists. It doesn't feel like trauma porn, it does not read as fetishizing, and though it’s not perfect, either, it’s obviously but a product of its time. And considering that, it’s amazing how it came to be so beautiful.

Wandering Son inspired me to keep writing and to keep seeking representation, to show the world more of who we are, but especially (and like Lily says near the end), to help others like me who so desperately need to feel seen. Both the uglier, sadder parts of us and the more beautiful and hopeful ones. 

So, more than anything, I am thankful that this manga exists, and I’m thankful that it inspired me to create more art for us, to make each other feel remembered and cared for in a world that might not allow us to show it often enough.

Nitorin

who? | only know their name | loathe | ugh | overrated | indifferent | dead | alive | just okay | cute | badass | my baby | hot | want to marry | favorite 

She's not my favorite, but I still like her a lot!

Old thing, but i thought i'd share it anyways. Nitorin from Hourou Musuko/Wandering Son! An anime i'll truly never forget. as a transfem, it's such an inspiring piece of work that i encourage all of you to check out sometime! even if you aren't trans it still has a really good story with plenty of twists and turns. be ready though, it's one hell of a rollercoaster of emotions

Nitorin innocently offers a few more chocolate bars to her~

...rather big sized ones at that.

"O-oh... Miss Kappa... Y-you're here too..?"

Groaning, she takes the offered chocolate... Mindlessly chowing down in pursuit of the pleasure that's long since left her.

{A.M.V.} Free!! x Uta no Prince-sama / Mamoru Miyano (Inspired): “Canon” (Second opening theme of Uta no Prince-sama Maji Love 2000%) {In that series, Miyano voices “Tokiya Ichinose”. This is not sung by “Tokiya” technically, but might give Tokiya’s image.} I used Miyano’s inspiration to make a Free!! A.M.V.! {It is my very first for this fandom, though I watched as it aired!}

Series: Free!! (C) Kyo-Ani “Canon” (C) Broccoli-Games / ELEMENTSGARDEN {Note: This is a FAN-work}

Characters/Pairs Featured: - RinHaru {Rin x Haru} - Rintori / NitoRin / RinAi {Rin x Aiichirou Nitori} - Ai x Rin x Haru as poly-ship or open relationships; (implied by the end) Feel free to view your preference!

My Commentary:

I would like to propose a Concept - Haru, Rin and Ai all have MULTIPLE HANDS. (This A.M.V. showcases the dynamics / story progression of all three; each of Haru and Ai with Rin, briefly, all acknowledging each other) Contains spoilers for: Free!! Seasons 1 & 2; {Rin; Haru; Ai scenes} “The Final Stroke” Part 2 start; but nothing specific from Final Stroke’s ending {Yet?}. (TFS Part 1 shows only in ‘scenic’ scene.) Others appear as support.

(Though I admit I am personally biased towards RinAi fandom-wise, I’ve also enjoyed the canon dynamic between Rin and Haru.) However, this work was partly made / inspired by an old mutual; this mutual really loved Rin+Haru dynamic too, so this is made in support! {They also like everyone as friends, as do I.} I’m not able to make much for this fandom usually (in the past, I did briefly rp {role-play} Ai, but do not actively write fic or anything much outside rp) but for the most part, this A.M.V. was very fun to make! Happy 10~ years anniversary to Free!! Time Spent: - About an hour and 30 min on the 1st verse + chorus. - Almost 4 and a half hours / a whole evening on the rest. - I am not even kidding when I say this thing must have crashed my editor (Windows Movie Maker... it’s an older version, sigh) at least x30+~50 times while attempting to finish Nitori’s scenes timing and the ending. As a result, this is technically a “first draft” (I know ending’s bit rushed, but I tried!) until I can go back and add in more timings and scene cuts! (Someday!...) - My editor tends to crash pretty frequently if I attempt 50+ clips; sometmes even after 20~ clips or so. This one has just about 40 clips, with bonus KyoAni’s own timings helping to smooth out the rest! - Sub-titles cannot be included at this time; I apologize! (However, lyric{s} below the ‘read more’!) It is recommended you view them in full (or in sections) before watching! - If you watch, I’d really love to hear your thoughts; I put a lot of effort in!

Summary:

“I only swim FREE!.” - Haru

... DO YOU?

“I feel so useless.” - Ai

“A sight you’ve never seen before...”

{Lyric[s] Preview!}:

Distant feelings on a {‘SILENT’} hill, … all of my love… (Get ready!)

“Do not tremble in this cruel world…” Through the kiss of a song, better than thousands of words

We can give something up ({I} swear to you) Just to live in this moment (Hold my hand) For your sake and for mine, we’re ready to take off now…together!

“SO, let’s GO!”

Your beloved voice becomes a powerful impulse That makes dreams reality As our heartbeats synchronize… Ah, exceeding even miracles, (Feel your song!) Up among the stars, (Feel my song!) Until that dream Reaches the unseeable FUTURE, I’ll PLAY this song! {“Free”}

I was scared of truth’s LIGHT…

(Lyric{s} via Uta-pri Wikia!)

“Canon” (description via Wiki): {no, not the fandom term.} In music, a canon is a contrapuntal (counterpoint-based) compositional technique that employs a melody with one or more imitations of the melody played after a given duration (e.g., quarter rest, one measure, etc.). The initial melody is called the leader (or dux), while the imitative melody, which is played in a different voice, is called the follower (or comes). The follower must imitate the leader, either as an exact replication of its rhythms Rand intervals or some transformation thereof. Repeating canons in which all voices are musically identical are called rounds. (For the meaning behind the title / theme!) {In the A.M.V., I semi-relate (if vaguely) this theme to all three characters; plus, more directly, make the comparison to Haru + Free!! AND Relay Medleys.} (There is vague inspiration from the original Uta-pri as well, but not intended directly comparable.)

The final chorus of the A.M.V. is one I had in mind ever since first hearing this song way back around Apr 2k13, when the second part of Uta-pri aired. It may be slightly more modified in a “final” version, but for the most part!...

Lyric[s]:

Distant {“Haruka”} feelings on a silent hill, all of my love… (Get ready!) [Haru <-> Rin] (+Haru; specifically...) “Do not tremble in this cruel world…” Through the kiss of a “song”, better than thousands of words We can give something up (I swear to you) Just to live in this moment (Hold my hand) For your sake and for mine, we’re ready to take off now…together! “So, let’s go!” Your beloved voice becomes a powerful impulse That makes dreams reality As our heartbeats synchronize… Ah, exceeding even miracles, (Feel your song!) Up among the stars, (Feel my song!) Until that dream Reaches the unseeable future, I’ll play this song! I was scared of truth’s light... [Ai -> Rin] Even at this great a DISTANCE, it’s too DAZZLING An unspeakable LONELINESS (No more crying) Thirsting for an impossible cure (Save my heart) [Ai <-> Rin] Since I met you, I’ve sworn to start living! The overlapping melodies of your voice seem to scorch my heart Resonating dreams echoing for eternity Like a sense of déjà vu, I knew today (Feel your love) A bloom of hope (Feel my love) An infinite rainbow Now our feelings are merging as we become one [Ai <-> Rin <-> Haru] The stars are waiting for the sky, they want to become a dream(?) The day will come when they bloom like a flower, and a rainbow awaits us on that day We’re ready to take off now…together! “So, let’s go!” Your beloved voice becomes a powerful impulse That makes dreams reality As our heartbeats synchronize… Ah, exceeding even miracles, (Feel your song!) Up among the stars, (Feel my song!) Until that dream Reaches the unseeable future, I’ll play this song! Feelings tied together on a shining hill…

Queer ask game: 5, 6, 7🏳️‍🌈

5. Talk about a canon mlm ship you like! - David Fisher and Keith Charles from Six Feet Under. This was a really important relationship to me. It was probably the first queer relationship I ever saw in media, and it was definitely the first that showed something more than surface level. There was true intimacy and affection. There was love and conflict. They built a family together. They made me really happy!

6. Talk about a canon wlw ship you like! This one is harder because I feel like women often get the short end of the stick in all character development fields. - Lady Hideko and Sook-Hee of The Handmaiden are a cool couple. They're scared of the horrible men who have attempted to control them but so fearless at the same time. Also the class contrast is fun. - Hannibal Spoilers: There's little development for it, but Alana Bloom and Margot Verger walking down the steps of a mansion in perfectly tailored outfits with their little son was iconic. - Also whatever Utena and Anthy have going on in Revolutionary Girl Utena is very good.

7. Talk about an otherwise queer (i.e. involving bi/ace/trans characters [etc]) canon ship you like! - Two relationships in the Wandering Son manga: Yuki and Shiina are nice as an established background relationship. They're really sweet, and it's refreshing to have a trans woman in manga who isn't treated as a shocking twist. Really all the trans characters in this story are treated respectfully. The other is another wlw ship actually! Spoilers for the end of the story - I really like the wholesome dedication Anna and Shuichi/Nitorin show for each other. They have to negotiate some challenges regarding gender and gender presentation, but decide that their love is more important than outside expectations. It was really impactful when I first read it about 10 years ago.

🌸❤ Rintori Week Day 1: Maid Cafe ❤🌸

💗 @rintoriweek2021 💗

yay!~ I finally finished coloring this piece for rintori week 2021 💗🌸

I've been sooo busy lately, but I'm glad I was able to participate, even just a little bit💕 (if I'm able to squeeze in more time, I really wanna draw more of the prompts🥰💞💕)

Tbh after rereading Wandering Son I can say...it really needed like One More Chapter to wrap everything up.

Like imagine, it can be set in their mid-20's, they're all grown up and meet again. I think Nitori goes by Lily now, and published her book finally. Anna probably got far enough in her career that she decided to reveal their relationship not long after, despite protests from the agency. The two of them grow old together, and have extremely successful careers in their respective fields.

Takatsuki probably kept on modeling, and eventually, I like to think he manages to meet some other transmasc folks (who are seriously lacking in the manga lemme tell ya), and decides to revisit his identity. I personally think he ends up in the sorta "none gender with left boy" category of identity, but transitions and uses masculine pronouns. He eventually starts noticing when girls and guys like him, and dates around before finding someone who makes him laugh.

Mako of course slowly makes her way into transness and drag, and I like to think she eventually found a boy who likes her for who she is. I feel like she maybe at some point convinces Oka into a fling (with help from Doi and Chiba) but it ends in disaster, but afterwards Oka becomes strangely defensive of the fact that Mako's a girl (entirely because it affirms that he isnt gay). Oka remains an idiot til he dies. Mako returns to the bakery when her family begs her to return, and once HRT gets her far enough, she decides she doesnt mind it and takes over.

Chiba would marry Doi, but only after whipping him into shape. She makes him properly apologize to everyone before she even so much as kisses him, but he's actually pretty agreeable. I feel like Doi becomes a teacher, at their old middle school, but Chiba I feel like would become a librarian of some sort. Maybe entirely because she'd enjoy telling noisy kids to be silent.

Sarashina would be an absolute wrecking ball in college. She tries different routes on whims (much to Momoko's chagrin) and eventually ends up part of a punk or metalband, and drops out of school. Sarashina starts drinking and hooking up with folks, until eventually Momoko and her get together, and become a weird codependent couple until they both work thru their issues. The whole way through, Sarashina changes gender presentation every other day, but remains identifying as a girl "more or less" when you ask her.

Nitori's family are hesitant to accept her at first, of course, but as they see her smile more, they begin to try her preferred name and pronouns. Maho's the last person to accept, but even she has to admit she makes a fantastic woman.

Takatsuki only lets their identity slip to his family halfway into his 20's, afraid that they'd never accept him, but ultimately his mom's only concern is that he keeps dressing well. The rest of his family shrugs the whole thing off. Some of them never quite "get it", but they are supportive.

Mako's mom we get to see fully diving in supportively to her. She accepts she knows little about trans things, but after going to the bar Mako is training at, she starts to get it. Eventually, she's the portrait of a perfect ally. Mako's dad actually doesnt even notice until she's two years on HRT, and then just kinda shrugs about it.

I just feel like. With all the characters' stories, the only one which really has a satisfying end is that of Nitorin, and even then I'd like to see a little down the road.

soft boy nitori & e-boy rin 😳

Leaving a Mark

Late entry for Rintori week 2021

Word count: 1337  Rating: M to be safe it’s a tiny bit spicy haha  Day one: shark bites/hickies 

If it hadn’t been so close to competition season, he would have skipped practice. Aiichiro stayed mostly to himself near the back of the pool, cheering on his teammates as they turned and headed back to the other end, a small towel wrapped securely around the back of his neck. He’d gotten there before anyone else that morning, save for Rin Matsuoka, the team captain, and stayed away from the others as they came in to hide the little secret that marked his skin. 

He couldn’t stop himself from rubbing at the side of his neck, feeling the indents of Rin’s teeth still marking his body, and the night before came back to him in quick, heated flashes. 

Rin’s weight settling over him, the other boy’s lips pressing firmly against his own, the first push of Rin taking from him what Aiichiro aways wanted him to have, the pressure of his teeth against his skin as he moved, marking him with a promise that he belonged there, in Rin’s bed, with him, as one. 

A blush crept its way up his cheeks, heat spreading all over his body at the memory of Rin filling him, leaving him breathless and wanting more, wanting everything the other boy could give him and willing to give it right back. 

Ai’s gaze flickered up to the front of the pool, watching Rin lead their team as perfectly as he always did, his eyes alight with that same fiery passion that had drawn the younger boy to him in the first place. From where he sat, he could hear the captain cheering on some of the swimmers, giving them compliments and gentle corrections on what they could do better in the future, then had them go again. 

The practice was going agonizingly slow, every second feeling like another hour until he could be alone with Rin once again. He sat back in his spot, his knees against his chest, watching the others, but mostly watching his lover, a soft blush in his cheeks whenever he would meet his eyes and give him that soft smile that Rin only reserved for those closest to him. 

Eventually, it was his turn to get up and swim his laps, and when the captain called his name it sounded so beautiful, almost like a song, and Ai dreamily made his way up to him, only setting his towel down when he reached the spot where he would be getting out of the pool, so he could drape it over himself once more. He climbed up onto his step and got into position, his body bent in half and his hands gripping tight to the sides of the platform, trying to keep his breathing even and his mind focused on the task ahead. 

Behind him, though, he could feel Rin’s eyes on him, raking over every inch of him, and being seen so completely by him made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. A heaviness filtered into the air, and Ai could feel Rin’s need for him, feel the hunger in his body to get him alone, and found a small, desperate whine falling from his mouth as he waited for the go. 

Once the cold water hit his face, it was almost as though a shock went through his body, cooling even the hottest parts of him, making his thoughts a bit clearer as he almost automatically began to swim, pushing himself as fast as he could possibly hope to go. 

--- 

He was out of breath when he finally stopped, his arms draped heavily over the dividers in the pool, heaving for air and smiling a bit when he heard the cheers of the others. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see a hand reaching for him, and when he looked up Rin was there, offering him help out of the pool, and with another blush, Nitori took his hand, squeezing it tight as he was helped out of the water. Rin squeezed his hand tight, meeting his eyes once he was back on solid ground, and perhaps for a second or two too long, held onto his hand. 

Aiichiro felt like he was floating until the other boy pulled back, leaving him back on earth, alone, and his hand feeling incredibly cold from the absence of Rin holding it. 

Once everyone was out of the water, they decided to call it for the day, and the others stood around talking for a little while, laughing at Momo and how he easily flustered Aiichiro with his antics, but eventually they started to disperse. 

Rin stayed behind to make sure everyone got all of their things, seeing as they were all distracted and feeling confident in their upcoming season, and smirked a little to himself when he noticed, once again, that Aiichiro was off by himself, just watching everyone else. “Ai!” He called, gesturing for the other boy to come join him. “Think you can stay behind and help me clean up?” 

Aiichiro swallowed, heart already racing at the thought of being alone with him, and nodded. “Sure, Senpai.” He agreed, coming up to the taller boy and making small talk with him until their last teammate was finally gone. 

The air filled with that same expectant heaviness that it had earlier, and once they heard the last footsteps walking away and were sure they were completely alone, Rin was on him before he even had a chance to breathe, walking him back up against the wall, his hands on his hips and his mouth stealing kiss after kiss. Aiichiro moaned, his own hands sliding down Rin’s back, feeling the muscles there, feeling his strong body pushing against his own, greedily taking whatever it was he wanted. 

Ai closed his eyes, gasping for air, feeling light and dizzy off of his natural scent mixed in with pool chemicals that lingered in his hair and clothes, his nails digging into Rin’s back as his lips found his jaw, his throat, and eventually his neck, sending jolts all over his body. “Senpai…” he moaned, pulling Rin impossibly closer to himself, his body already reacting just to that much. 

Rin let out a soft moan of his own, pushing his knee between Aiichiro’s legs, effectively pinning him there. “Hmm?” He asked, nipping gently at the skin. “What is it?” 

“More,” Ai gasped, pulling back enough that he could see his face. “Please.” 

Rin had just leaned in to kiss him again when he heard footsteps getting closer, and froze for a second, not knowing how he would explain it if someone came in and found them in a position like this. “Come back home with me.” He decided, beginning to pull away. 

Aiichiro gripped him harder, keeping him there, and looked up at him again, his blue eyes desperate for more, for Rin, for his body, for everything, and shook his head. “I can’t wait.” 

“And I don’t want us getting caught.” Rin replied, tilting his chin up a little so he could kiss him. “It’s just a few minutes…” 

Nitori whined against his lips, not wanting to stop at all, and let his hands fall to his hips. “Please…” 

“Tell you what…” Rin decided, leaning down to kiss him again. “How about something to hold you over until we get back?” He kissed down his jaw again, going until he was at the joint of his neck and shoulder, and bit down on the skin, leaving a matching mark on his other side. 

Aiichiro melted at the contact, his eyes closing as his neck stretched out, giving him more access, not wanting him to stop, and held him closer. “Rin,” 

“Come back with me.” Rin whispered as he pulled away completely, Ai stumbling a bit after him, not willing to leave his side at all, the mark on his neck stinging in the most pleasant way, making him ache, making him want even more, and grabbed tight to his lover’s hand. 

“Okay.”