#sans like 2 parts of 2 different problems. that i just gotta ask about cause theyre like true/false stuff . btu like. 2 parts of uh. so many
Text
finished my math homework eveyrbody clap.
#sans like 2 parts of 2 different problems. that i just gotta ask about cause theyre like true/false stuff . btu like. 2 parts of uh. so many#2 parts out of So Many is not bad. in my humble onion#cae speaks
4 notes
·
View notes
Text
𝑀𝑎𝑓𝑖𝑎! 𝐴𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑧: 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝐷𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝐷𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔
Disclaimer: In no way am I condoning, supporting, justifying or encouraging mafia activities or lifestyle. This is all fictional and not meant to represent real life scenarios.
꧁𝓚𝓲𝓶 𝓗𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓳𝓸𝓸𝓷𝓰꧂
"Mom! Dad's being annoying again!"
You walked into the office only to see your daughter huffing with arms crossed as your husband sat in his chair, busy writing something down.
"What is it this time?" You mentally prepared yourself to hear some silly thing.
"It's nothing dear. I already told her I'm considering allowing her classmate to take her to the school's dance." Hongjoong responded as if he wasn't guilty of anything.
"See? He usually says no. So what's the problem?" You asked your daughter.
"He's making an 'application to date my daughter' to give to my date!" Your daughter exclaimed.
"What?" You walked over to Hongjoong and snatched the paper away from him and began quoting some of it:
"Thank you for your interest? Please allow 4 to 6 years for processing? If you've been rejected, you will be notified by 2 men carrying violin cases? Any false information may result in punishment by dismemberment, crucifixion, Chinese water torture?!"
"Kim Hongjoong!" You threw the paper back at him.
"What?! I'm only trying to look out for my baby! I only want the best for her." He defended himself.
"At this point, you might as well send me to a convent!" Your daughter furiously marched away to go lock herself in her room.
"Are you happy now?" You raised an eyebrow at Hongjoong.
"Not yet. But once I finish these last details on the application, I will be." He smiled as he resumed his task.
You threw your hands up in anger. "You're unbelievable!"
Hongjoong looked back at you and stuck his tongue out.
"If you were me, you'd do the same!"
꧁𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓴 𝓢𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓱𝔀𝓪꧂
Seonghwa kept pacing back and forth in the living room, unable to calm down.
"Would you please stop it?" You finally told him, annoyed by his fidgeting.
"Stop what?" He asked rather confused.
"That! Stop being so dramatic about this. You knew this would happen sooner or later." You reminded him.
"And I sincerely hoped it'd be a lot later. Waaay later." Seonghwa sighed.
"It's just a first date. It's not like sending one of your rookies out on their first mission." You joked to lighten the mood.
"There's a huge difference... this is my daughter we're talking about! My daughter! My beacon of light in this dark world." He pouted.
"Speaking of which, here she comes!" You pointed to your daughter, who is happily skipping over to you two.
"Look mom! What do you think?! Do you think he'll like it?!" She asked as she twirled around in a sparkly red dress.
"You look gorgeous honey. Of course he'll like it! Right Seonghwa?"
You turned to Seonghwa, who just stood there awkwardly, his eye was visibly twitching.
"Does.....does it have to be that short?" He asked.
He let out a yelp of pain when you elbowed him on his side. He looked over at you and you silently warned him to behave.
Sighing, he smiled at your daughter. "You're absolutely beautiful darling."
She beamed with happiness and hugged you both before running out the door once she heard a car beeping. Seonghwa just watched her as she left.
"See? That wasn't so bad right? The overprotective dad mode isn't necessary."
Seonghwa laughed awkwardly at that.
"Haha....yeah right."
As soon as you were out of sight, he took out his phone and dialed a number.
"All units on sector 3 better report to me any sign of physical contact that happens between them. Over."
꧁𝓙𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓨𝓾𝓷𝓱𝓸꧂
"It's already 2:31, she's late." Yunho blurted out.
"What are you talking about?" You asked him.
"I mean school is over at 2, it's only a 30 minute drive from here to there and vice versa. They're late, we gotta make sure they're all right."
You grabbed his arm when he sprinted from the couch.
"Yunho, it's only been 1 minute-"
"2 minutes now actually." He corrected you.
You sighed, praying for patience.
"Point is, it's her first day of school, maybe there was a lot of traffic and you're overreacting. She'll be here soon." You tried to calm him down.
Yunho sat back down and huffed. "I still say we should have just home schooled her."
"Public school isn't going to kill her!" You argued.
"I got the best tutors and professors on speed dial. They're more than willing to give my daughter the best education money can buy!" Yunho repeated what he's been saying for months.
"She needs to learn to interact with people, develop social skills. You're making a fuss over nothing. It's only the first day, and see? Where's the danger? What's the problem so far?" You tried reasoning with him.
"Problem is..... she's not here!" He exclaimed.
Right at that moment, your 6 year old daughter came running in, straight to her father's arms.
"She's here now, and in one piece." You told him.
"Hi sweetheart. Did you have fun today?" He asked as he bounced your daughter in his lap.
"Very! We got to paint, and play around, and at recess, a boy asked me to be his girlfriend and I said sure!" She babbled happily.
Yunho's smile dropped when he heard that last part. He looked over at you, and you were just on the verge of laughing at his reaction.
"See?! Now we got a problem! Some boy is already trying to take my daughter away and corrupt her!" He whined.
"Oh relax Yunho! They're 6 years old! The worst that can happen right now is he gets her sick or something." You shook your head at him.
Yunho held your daughter and looked at her seriously.
"Honey, listen to me. Stay away from boys, they have cooties and they're evil vicious villains who'll just hurt you. Ok? Can you do that for daddy?" He made puppy dog eyes at her.
You face palmed at him.
꧁𝓚𝓪𝓷𝓰 𝓨𝓮𝓸𝓼𝓪𝓷𝓰꧂
"You know Yeosang, you've been having a lot more drinks than usual...." San pointed it out to him.
"I wanna drink tonight to forget and pretend like today didn't just happen." Yeosang said as he downed another shot.
"Yeosang, we've all been there like you were tonight. Trust me, you'll get over it." Wooyoung reminded him.
"Not me! I was the most supportive out of all of you! I was the perfect dad." San smiled, his cute dimples on full display.
"Hey! I was supportive as well!..... sort of. ." Yeosang replied sheepishly.
"Oh yeah? What happened then? Do tell us." Mingi rested his face in his hand, ready to hear Yeosang's story.
Yeosang began reminiscing about what happened a few hours before:
He stood there awkwardly, the young lad that was taking his daughter to prom right in front of him, trying his best to make a great impression of him. But Yeosang wasn't making it easy with his cold icy stare. He just couldn't believe someone was daring to come between him and his daughter.
"I'm ready!"
They both turned and looked over at you and your daughter, all dressed to perfection. The boy's breath was taken away and he was almost drooling. Meanwhile, Yeosang was clenching his fist so much it almost drew blood. After taking so many pictures, she hugged you both goodbye. The boy went to shake Yeosang's hand, but Yeosang instead pulled him in for a caring and ,somewhat suspicious, hug.
"Well then?" Hongjoong asked, snapping him back to reality.
Yeosang gulped.
"Ok. So I may or may not have threatened to cut off his balls if he tried anything...."
꧁𝓒𝓱𝓸𝓲 𝓢𝓪𝓷꧂
Even though San was extremely close to your daughter and yes he was protective of her, he was also overjoyed and very supportive when she asked for permission to go on a date. He immediately stood up and began bombarding her with questions:
"Who was the boy? Where did you meet? How long have you two known each other? Where do you guys wanna go? How much will you need? Want me to set you guys up at an expensive restaurant? Are you two in love?"
On the day of the actual date, he seemed more excited than your own daughter. He actually hired a photographer to capture every single moment.
"Ok honey I think that's enough photos, the kids might lose their reservation." You tried to make sure they actually made it to the date.
San gasped. "Oh right right! Well you kids have fun and don't worry about paying! I rented the whole thing out for you two!"
He pulled your daughter in for a tight and squishy hug, reminding her how much he loved her and to take care. He also gave the boy a firm pat on the back before watching them get in the limousine and drive away. Even after a few minutes, he stood there silently.
He sighed happily.
"They grow up so fast.....it feels like it was only yesterday when I held her in my arms for the first time....."
You watched San and could tell he was getting emotional.
"Are you going to cry?" You asked him.
"Me? Cry? Pssht! I'm Choi San, the manliest man of all mafia leaders and I do not cry!" He declared bravely.
He then stood there awkwardly before turning back to you. Sighing, you opened your arms.
"Come here. Let it all out." You assured him.
Instantly, San held onto you, crying his eyes out, his heart full of so many emotions.
"Oh my god my babygirl is all grown and soon she'll be leaving me, and I'm sad but I'm so happy at the same way cause I love her so much, and I love you so much and I just miss my baby already even though she's still here!"
You only patted his back and nodded at his sobbing. At least he wasn't putting a tracking device on her.
꧁𝓢𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓲꧂
You knew it was all bullshit when Mingi said he was desperately needed at the headquarters with the boys. And Seonghwa even confirmed it when you called him and he said that everything was fine, no one called a meeting. You thanked him and hung up. Grabbing your car keys, you sped to your daughter's location, hoping to get there before something embarrassing happened.
You looked around the place, trying your best so your daughter wouldn't see you. She didn't, however you spotted a very familiar shade of red hair hiding behind some bushes. Discreetly, you crept up behind him and smacked his head.
"Ow! What was that for?!" He cried out.
"Song Mingi! You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Spying on your own daughter on her first date!" You yelled at him.
"It's my right as a father to make sure my daughter is safe!" He protested.
"Well you can do that....from a distance!"
Without warning, you grabbed his ear and pulled him back to your car to take him home.
"Ok! Can you let go?! I'll go back home with you!" He gave up and walked back with you.
"Good. Honestly, what were you thinking? Oh wait! You weren't." You huffed as you got in the driver's seat.
"There's nothing wrong with wanting your daughter to be safe and make sure her date treats her decently." He pouted like a little baby.
"Well like I said, you could do that from a distance. There's no need to be stalking her out like one of your snipers." You told him as you started the car.
"Yeah.....you're right...." Mingi sighed.
You smiled, proud that he was willing to accept his mistake. That was until he opened his mouth again.
"I mean, why put a tracking device on her phone and not use it?" He stated nonchalantly as he took out his phone
"Song fucking Mingi! I swear to God, if you did that I will make you roll out of the car!"
꧁𝓙𝓾𝓷𝓰 𝓦𝓸𝓸𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓰꧂
"For the last time....No!"
Wooyoung was stubborn. No matter how many times your daughter begged him to let her go to the school dance, he stood his ground and refused. She tried every single approach: she behaved like an angel, tried bargaining and even rebelled like a teenager but to no avail.
"Give me one good reason why I can't go!" Your daughter pouted.
"I'll give you three reasons: One, boys. Two, boys. And three, which is actually the most important one... boys!" Wooyoung was practically dramatic at this point, as if he wasn't already.
"You're going to have to let me date someday!" Your daughter retaliated.
"Absolutely....when I'm cold in my coffin or when hell freezes over. Whichever comes first." Wooyoung said.
Your daughter ended up locking herself in her room, refusing to see her father. It hurt him to have her rejection, but he only did it because he loved her. Unbeknownst to him though, you gave her permission and even arranged for her to be picked up by your friend so she could go to her dance. You hoped Wooyoung didn't notice.
"Where is she?" Wooyoung asked you, crossing his arms over his chest, his foot tapping on the floor.
You sighed in defeat. "She went to the dance. I gave her permission."
Wooyoung began screaming at the top of his lungs, getting agitated.
"Oh relax you drama queen! Her date isn't a bad boy! In fact, he's the sweetest boy ever! You know him, it's San's son!"
As soon as he heard that, Wooyoung felt like he was going to get a heart attack.
"Of all people, she chose San's kid?! Is she insane?!"
Wooyoung took out his phone and furiously tapped on the screen.
"San you little piece of shit! Why are you letting your devil of a son seduce my little angel? Hmm?..... Oh don't give me that! He's just like you! Behind that innocent dimple smile lies a demon, waiting to prey on the innocent and pure so they can corrupt them!! Curse you and your cute dimple genes! I will get you back for this!"
꧁𝓒𝓱𝓸𝓲 𝓙𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓱𝓸꧂
"So....what are your intentions?" Jongho asked the boy sitting in front of him.
"Excuse me s-sir?" The boy didn't quite understand.
"What are your intentions with my daughter?" Jongho repeated as he reached for one of the apples that were on the table.
"Well I... I....I'm not sure. I guess-"
"Oh? Not sure?" Jongho locked eyes with him as he effortlessly split the apple in half with his bare hands.
The boy noticeably gulped and stared at the crushed fruit.
"I I mean! It's only a dance! It's nothing serious-"
"Are you saying my daughter's a joke? Are her feelings nothing to you?"Jongho reached for another apple and split it apart just like the other one.
"I didn't say that!" The boy exclaimed.
Jongho nodded and reached for yet a third apple.
"Listen very carefully to me boy. I love my daughter so much. There's nothing I wouldn't do for her. I only want her to be happy."
He split the apple and set it down on the table.
"So let me make this clear: break my daughter's heart and I will break you. You know like what?" Jongho tilted his head at him.
"Like.....those apples?" The boy hesitantly pointed at the murdered fruit in front of him.
"Hmm? Oh no. Not like those apples."
Jongho smiled and pulled out a watermelon from one of the cushions.
"I'll break you like this watermelon."
Jongho's fist slammed down on the watermelon, effortlessly breaking it in half. The poor boy was now pale, fearing for his life.
"Daddy! I'm ready! Is the driver ready- what's with all the split fruit?" Your daughter asked when you and her walked into the living room.
"Oh! Nothing sweetheart. I was just splitting these for our guest. Gotta have a little snack before. Right?"
Jongho held out a parted apple to the boy, his eyes silently warning him not to say anything of what really happened. The boy simply nodded and took the apple.
"Y-yeah. Your father is really n-nice."
You frowned at Jongho when your eyes met. You knew what really happened. But he simply smiled innocently at you, like nothing happened.
Gifs not mine, credit goes to their respective owners.
#ateez#ateez reactions#ateez mafia au#mafia!au#mafia!ateez#ateez hongjoong#ateez seonghwa#ateez yunho#ateez yeosang#ateez san#ateez mingi#ateez wooyoung#ateez jongho#ateez scenarios#ateez imagines
607 notes
·
View notes
Photo
La Danse Macabre Rabbit TV Part 1: The First Intermission
Part 2
Yuki: Good job with the
shoot, Tamaki-kun.
Tamaki Yotsuba: ...Thanks...
Sogo Osaka: T-Tamaki-kun.
You should respond properly...
Torao Mido: What's wrong,
Tamaki Yotsuba? You're not nearly
as energetic as you usually are.
Tamaki Yotsuba: ...It's 'cause...
My character and your characters
are all so scary...
Tamaki Yotsuba: I don't want
anyone to kill people...
Yuki: Hehe, you're so cute.
And despite that, your performance
was great.
Sogo Osaka: I thought so, too.
...Don't be sad, Tamaki-kun. It's
all just an act.
Tamaki Yotsuba: ...But I don't
wanna act like my dad.
Torao Mido: Your dad?
Sogo Osaka: ...Tamaki-kun...
Yuki: Coochie-coo.
Tamaki Yotsuba: Hyah... hahaha!
C-cut it out, Yukirin! That tickles!
Yuki: There. Now all the scariness
is off your face.
Tamaki Yotsuba: Huh..?
Yuki: You're a gentle kid who's
getting teary-eyed over a scary
story. I don't see how that makes
you anything like your dad.
Torao Mido: I'm not sure what's
going on here, but I'm way more
scared of Sogo and Yuki than you.
Yuki: Excuse me?
Sogo Osaka: What do you mean?
Tamaki Yotsuba: ...Yeah,
I kinda get why.
Torao Mido: R-right? And we're
both part of Kokujohyako, so we
should stick together, Tamaki
Yotsuba.
Tamaki Yotsuba: Haha. Yeah.
You're a pretty nice guy, Toracchi.
Tamaki Yotsuba: You can just
call me Tamaki, by the way.
Torao Mido: Sure. We've got
plenty of shoots ahead of us,
Tamaki. Let's both do our best.
Yuki: Heh. It looks like
Tamaki-kun's helping us all
become a little closer.
Sogo Osaka: I suppose he is.
Sogo Osaka: ...By the way,
Yuki-san. I wanted to ask you
about something...
Yuki: What is it?
Sogo Osaka: ...Well, my character
can be sort of two-faced...
Sogo Osaka: I'm a bit worried
that I might not be portraying the
different parts of his personality
properly... So um, I wanted to hear
your opinion on my performance...
Yuki: Ah, you're worried about
that? Your inner darkness was out
in such full force, I had no idea
you were having trouble at all.
Sogo Osaka: R-really!?
Torao Mido: You're not even
aware of it yourself? That's pretty
freaky, Sogo.
Tamaki Yotsuba: Yup! So-chan's
always like that!
Yuki: "Your very existence is
a thorn in my side. Just die
already."
Yuki: That line gave me
shivers when you said it.
Tamaki & Torao: T-that was
scary...
Tamaki Yotsuba: Y-Yukirin!
You gotta warn us before you start
saying scary stuff like that!
Torao Mido: Y-yeah. Exactly.
Great suggestion, Tamaki.
Sogo Osaka: ...I'm so happy...
I never thought an actor of your
caliber would compliment my
performance..!
Yuki: Sorry. It was such a
cool line, I wanted to try
saying it myself.
Yuki: Oh, that reminds me.
If you could've chosen any other
role, which one would you have
picked?
Torao Mido: I would've been Libel.
Yuki: Interesting.
Sogo Osaka: He does have strong
morals and mental fortitude.
Tamaki Yotsuba: He's like, a hero!
I wouldn't have been scared if I'd
gotten Gakkun's role, either.
Torao Mido: As a man, I couldn't
help but admire the way he sticks
to his beliefs, no matter what
anyone says.
Yuki: Huh, so you're that
kind of guy.
Torao Mido: W-what's that
supposed to mean..?
Yuki: Nothing. I actually like
you the way you are now.
Torao Mido: ........
Torao Mido: A-anyway, what
about you, Tamaki?
Tamaki Yotsuba: Hmm... Leiden!
Sogo Osaka: Ah, I can totally
see why. He's so steadfast and
strong.
Yuki: And he probably
wouldn't get mad at me for
sleeping on the job.
Tamaki Yotsuba: He doesn't think
about stuff like profits and losses.
He kinda just focuses on what's in
front of him.
Torao Mido: He does seem like
the friendliest member of the
Unity Order.
Yuki: Really? I thought my
character was plenty friendly, too.
Torao Mido: Is he..?
Tamaki Yotsuba: He was clicking
his tongue a lot...
Sogo Osaka: I thought he was
very cool!
Yuki: Thanks.
Tamaki Yotsuba: Ugh, So-chan!
Yuki: And what about you,
Sogo-kun?
Sogo Osaka: ...Um... Arme,
I suppose. I feel like he has
something I lack.
Yuki: He's a kind boy who's
overjoyed just to walk on the ground,
and who wants to end all conflict
between the Ark and the Surface.
Sogo Osaka: He's so empathetic,
despite coming from a world where most
people are only fighting for their
own interests...
Torao Mido: Like the Osaka
household, you mean. You know, I never
was cut out for business. I'm just not built
for that stuff.
Torao Mido: Which is why I
genuinely respect you, Sogo.
I wouldn't say your analytical
side is all negative.
Sogo Osaka: ...Mido-san, you...
Tamaki Yotsuba: You're kinda
like Libel.
Torao Mido: R-really?
Yuki: Heh. You definitely said
something very heroic just now.
Sogo Osaka: Right. I never
even imagined that the two of us
would be chatting like this.
Torao Mido: Gee, thanks...
Torao Mido: And what about
you, Yuki-san?
Yuki: Well, Cura might be
fun.
Tamaki Yotsuba: Wasn't
expecting that.
Yuki: It's really funny to see
Yamato-kun play a character who
blows stuff up for stress relif. I don’t
know if I could pull it off like he does,
though.
Sogo Osaka: I thought he'd be
more like Yamato-san is normally,
so the scene where he really brings
out the bombs caught me off guard...
Torao Mido: I'd like to try
walking away from an explosion
sometime, too.
Tamaki Yotsuba: You're a pretty
funny dude, Toracchi.
Torao Mido: I am?
Yuki: In any case, it's refreshing
to do a story that's so different.
Sogo Osaka: It can get extreme at
times... I was worried about how
our fans would receive it.
Sogo Osaka: Even if it is a work
of fiction, it has so many shocking
turns...
Yuki: Easing them into the story
is a part of our work, too.
Tamaki Yotsuba: Work...
Torao Mido: I thought it was
fun to see the other members of
ŹOOĻ act like completely new
people.
Torao Mido: But I guess that might
not be enough for the average viewer.
Yuki: Exactly. For example, all
the fans who like you for how sexy
and cool you are might be disappointed
to see you wearing a hairband.
Torao Mido: Wha... So you're
saying the hairband's my biggest
problem!?
Yuki: Similarly, the people
who like Haruka-kun's assertive
personality might be shocked when
they see him as the pure-hearted
and sincere Arme.
Yuki: In other words, new
doesn't always equal good to
some people.
Yuki: While playing different types
of characters, I received different
types of fan responses. And despite
what those criticisms may be, I
had no choice but to keep working
until the drama's over.
Yuki: Are you prepared
to do the same?
Torao Mido: ...Yeah. I am.
Yuki: I like the look on
your face.
Tamaki Yotsuba: ...Uh, listen.
Maybe we could take a pic together
right now, and post it online as
a behind-the-scenes shot once the
drama starts airing?
Yuki: Great idea.
Sogo Osaka: Right. If we show our
fans that we're all having fun, it
might help them feel at ease.
Torao Mido: Fun...
Yuki: What, are you saying
you didn't have fun talking with
us just now? I'm shocked...
Torao Mido: N-no..! I didn't
mean it like that...
Sogo Osaka: Mido-san, come
a little closer to the rest of
us. We're taking that picture!
Torao Mido: ...Yeah. Thanks.
Tamaki Yotsuba: Everyone say peace!
All: Peace!
End of Part 1.
145 notes
·
View notes
Note
I would certainly be interested in reading the unofficial version of Damsell in Distress if it's not a problem. - Elsie
Ask and ye shall receive! It starts immediately after Maddie tells Godzilla that her dad was kidnapped and includes the beginning of the original ending. It's also incomplete, as I stopped writing the murdery part maybe 2/3 of the way through.
Please be warned, what happens isn't nice. If KiaRL was too much for you, maybe skip this one. It's similar to what Godzilla did to those kidnappers, but it's from one of their POVs, so, like, there's a bit of detail in some places. I wouldn't say it's overly graphic, but... yeah. Exercise caution.
• • •
Kidnapping, when done right and with fellow professionals, was a lucrative business. Blake Curtis knew that well.
It was with well-earned confidence that he and the other seven members of their homegrown operation relaxed in the nice office space they’d rented out for this particular venture. The building was decently far from the mark’s—no pun intended—place of residence, but not so far from the location of the organization he belonged to.
You didn’t want the fingers to start rotting in the mail, after all. And sending them in anything other than a padded envelope was bound to be memorable to the wrong people.
Being forgettable was, in all ways, the name of their game.
Blake and every last one of his associates were plain. Not a one of them was particularly attractive, or had stand-out features, or had public interactions outside of the most basic, scripted conversations. And for that reason, no one every gave them a second look. No one ever remembered them more than a few minutes after an encounter—and they certainly wouldn’t have been able to describe them.
It was an art form, and a well-paying one, at that.
Completely unconscious in one of the other rooms in the office was their newest target, a man reportedly high in the rankings of Monarch. Mark Russell: divorced—the ex was dead—father of two children—one of whom was also dead—and living with his young daughter out in the middle of nowhere. Important enough to his peers to be worth a ransom, but not so important to have a bodyguard.
They couldn’t have asked for a better setup.
With the target secured and unable to cause any problems, it was just a matter of waiting. Four of his associates had broken out a pack of cards and were coming up with increasingly ridiculous ways to cheat at their game. Alice, his cousin, was reading Pride and Prejudice by the window, sipping at some fruity drink she’d made for herself.
Ryan was napping on the couch, his hat covering his face, and good ole Winnie, the leader of their group, was typing away at her laptop.
Blake sighed, content, and leaned back in his comfortable office chair. He took a drag of his cigarette and let his eyes drift half-closed. The toe of his shoe absently slid along the ground, lazily spinning him back and forth.
A faint tremble went through his chair.
Off to his side, Alice made a dreamy noise. A burst of laughter rose up from the card players.
Another tremble, slightly stronger than the first, had him peeking his eyes open. An earthquake, perhaps? They didn’t have any neighbors in the building—they’d made sure of that—but no one else seemed to be noticing the shudders passing through the structure.
They began to increase in intensity, and the time between them grew shorter.
Snorting awake when a mug rattled on the coffee table, Ryan pushed his hat up and raised his head. “What’s doin’ that?” he asked groggily.
Alice and Winnie looked over at him. Blake stood, keeping his stance wide as the tremors grew worse.
“I don’t think this is how earthquakes work,” Alice said, sliding a ribbon into her well-worn book.
The four playing cards, who Blake now saw were sharing a couple bottles of alcohol between them, set their game aside, still giggling.
“A train?” Blake suggested. “Helicopters?”
The windows rattled, and outside, someone screamed.
“Yeah, I don’t think so,” Omar said, stumbling up from his seat. He took a swig from one of the bottles. “I rem’ber this scene.” He stared into the narrow opening with one eye squinted shut.
“What are you doing?” Eli asked, less drunk-looking than the other three.
“Lookin’ for ripples. That’s how you know a t-rex is coming.”
“It won’t work if you’re holding the bottle, moron,” Dennis, which was wonderfully ironic, said. Blake didn’t pay them any attention, though, as he went over to one of the windows.
He could hear more people screaming, and despite a poor vantage point, he was just able to make out a number of people running frantically down the road. A car swerved wildly around the fleeing populace, crashing into a light pole. The driver climbed out, appearing to be muttering in a panic to himself, and took off at a sprint.
“Something’s happening out there,” he said to Alice as she joined him.
Sandy chuckled. “Maybe it’s a monster attack.” She stood and cracked her back.
An enormous crash jolted the building so badly, everyone standing found themselves grasping desperately for something to hold on to. Ryan tumbled off the couch with a yelp. Omar lost his footing entirely and fell with a strained chuckle. The glass bottle hit the edge of the table and shattered.
While Omar complained about getting bits of glass in his hands, Blake, closely followed by Alice and Winnie, ran to the roof access the office space came with.
“Maybe something crashed,” he huffed out. “A plane, or a huge pile-up—”
“If only we could be so lucky,” Winnie said, and then they were bursting out onto the roof.
He heard his cousin whisper a curse in another language, his own jaw going slack as his mind went blank with an instinctual fear.
Not a few blocks away, Godzilla stood between high-rises. He moved slowly, almost carefully—if you were willing to personify such a monster—but every few footfalls, he seemed to step particularly hard, shaking the earth.
The three of them remained frozen, watching with wide eyes, as Godzilla growled, periodically swinging his head around. Like he’s looking for something, Blake thought.
He—like most of the world—had seen footage from at least one of the past incidents involving the Titans. Godzilla in San Francisco had been all anyone could talk about for a few weeks, and the clip of him leaving the city always seemed to be playing on one news channel or another. A sensational tragedy.
It didn’t do the real thing justice. Such a massive creature—he hadn’t comprehended before now just how large Godzilla truly was. And it was different to see him with his own two eyes, where the possibility of an internet hoax couldn’t explain a thing.
“Whatever he’s doing here can’t be good,” Winnie finally said. “We should leave before any other Titans show up.”
She vanished back into the office, leaving Blake and his cousin to stare at the monster towering over them.
A disbelieving huff left Alice. “That’s not something you see everyday, huh?”
“Are we supposed to run away?” Blake asked. “Or is it like a tornado drill?”
“If Winnie says we’re leaving, then we’re leaving.” She paused as Godzilla leaned forward to sniff at a skyscraper. A few more steps, and he’d be walking entirely away from them. As it was, Blake figured someone with a better throwing arm could probably hit the Titan from where they were standing. Alice shook her head and turned toward the roof access. “C’mon, we gotta grab Russell. We’ll have to figure something else out if the drop-off gets changed.”
Since her back was facing Godzilla, Blake was the only one who say the way the monster’s head turned in their direction. His spines pulsed blue, sending a shock of fear down Blake’s own spine, and he took two thunderous steps closer to their high rise.
Blake stumbled back, suddenly unable to breath. His focus narrowed down to those inhuman, burning eyes, suddenly centered on him. His reaction must have caught Alice’s attention, because he distantly heard her scream out behind him.
For some reason, hearing her scream like that was what made Blake snap out of his daze, just in time to see Godzilla’s claw-tipped hand-paw thing closing in on their roof.
The building shook when he made contact, a web of cracks spiraling out from Godzilla’s palm. Blake lost his balance entirely, landing painfully on his tailbone. Even then, he couldn’t completely shake himself out of his stupor enough to stand, much less run.
After sniffing again, Godzilla started growling, low and dangerous. The sound of it nearly paralyzed Blake.
He managed to pull himself backward in an awkward crab-walk until his back hit the short raised ledge surrounding the roof. Through it all, he couldn’t look away from Godzilla’s eyes.
Could an animal really feel as much fury as Blake thought he could see in them?
A commotion below finally ripped away his attention. Ryan had emerged, stumbling for the soccer-mom-style van they had parked across the street. He was emitting a constant stream of panicked gibberish. Sandy was standing at the base of the building, hollering at him to hurry up and stop tripping over himself.
“Hey!”
Blake whipped around. Dennis was standing in the doorway with an impatient look on his face. “Didn’t you hear Winnie? We’re leaving!”
An odd buzzing interrupted his attempt to answer, and both men looked up in surprise. Godzilla, was above them, leaning on the roof. He had blue eyes now, Blake realized.
Dennis made a strangled sound. “What the hell—”
Godzilla’s mouth opened as the buzzing seemed to reach its peak, and a bright blue beam of light shot out from between his razor sharp teeth. Blake cried out and curled up into a ball. The heat from being so close to the beam was painfully intense.
Dennis was huddled in the stairwell when Blake managed to look over at him, ears ringing and spots popping in his vision. His jeans were darker on the insides of his thighs. Blake couldn’t even blame him.
As his hearing returned after a few seconds, he became aware of a terrible shrieking. Leaning up to look over the ledge at the ground, he stared uncomprehending for a moment before the reality of what he was seeing hit him. He turned and heaved, throwing up his lunch beside him.
He caught sight of Dennis rushing over, but he wasn’t able to warn him away fast enough, and after a moment, his colleague was vomiting over the edge of the roof.
The road below was nothing more than a scorched crater, their van reduced to a smoldering mound of metal. Ryan was completely gone, just vaporized in the heat of the laser-like beam Godzilla had shot.
But that wasn’t the worst of it.
Having been close to the beam himself, Blake’s skin felt tight, like after getting a bad sunburn. What little of his skin he could see was reddened, but not blistering.
Sandy, who’d been down there with Ryan, hadn’t been as lucky.
She must have just ventured away from the building when Godzilla fired, not close enough to share Ryan’s fate, but closer than Blake.
What he’d seen would haunt his nightmares for years to come, he suspected. The writhing mass of flesh, with bubbling sores, all melted in on herself, was unlike anything he’d ever seen. The roof was too high for him to have seen details, but he’d gotten the impression that Sandy’s face was nothing more than a smooth plane, her open mouth the only remaining orifice.
Dennis was babbling as he remained hunched against the ledge, but Blake couldn’t make himself understand any of the words.
Gagging over the sour taste lingering on his tongue, Blake shrunk back as he looked up at Godzilla, just in time to see the monster huff with his eyes half-lidded. It was an expression of satisfaction if he’d ever seen one.
“Wha’s goin’ on?” Blake heard Omar say.
Godzilla’s hand lifted from the roof, just as the man drunkenly stumbled through the door.
“Someone’s screamin’ down there,” he told them, rather pointlessly. “Winnie’s all worked up ’bout it.” He kept walking, apparently somehow missing the giant lizard monster looming right over them.
Blake saw it coming a moment too late. “Omar—!” he cried, reaching out as if he could shove the man to safety.
But he couldn’t, so he watched helplessly as Omar squinted in confusion as Godzilla’s hand slammed back down, squishing the man with disturbing ease.
He'd seen a snake, once, flattened on the roadside. Like a flat drawing. Omar was reduced to that, to a thin, bloody pile of viscera. His jeans were still visible, bunched up on themselves. Empty. Leaking.
Dennis groaned and threw up again, this time, on their side of the ledge. While he was distracted, Godzilla’s blood-dripping hand swept upward, on a collision course for the both of them. Blake yelled wordlessly and dove forward, ducking.
With a meaty thwack, Dennis was swatted up into the air. He shrieked as he fell, and the abrupt silence made Blake gasp out a terrified sob.
Why is this happening? he wondered hysterically, scrabbling at the rough concrete to try and put some distance between himself and the monster. But there was no safety to be found.
Godzilla once more returned his bloody hand to the rooftop, and Blake heard the way the building began to crumbled beneath the pressure. A large hole broke through the top floor’s ceiling with a grating crash, Godzilla’s hand mercilessly sinking into the building.
It was then that Blake heard the Alice’s screams.
(a few more deaths that I never wrote happen here. Blake is the only one left alive)
For a second, Blake thought he was about to witness Godzilla swallow a man down whole. That Mark Russell—who should be glad to still be unconscious—would disappear behind those teeth and never be seen again.
Instead, Godzilla made a rumbling noise so very different from his growls, and turned his back on the building. There was a mind-boggling gentleness in that blood-stained jaw, holding a human as if he were aware of how delicate the man’s body was.
It scared him, the possibility that Godzilla could be aware like that. Intelligent.
Blake slumped bonelessly against the rooftop beside the large hole and breathed a shaky sigh of relief. The blue sky was suddenly blocked by something gray, casting him in a shadow, and his last thought was of realization—that Godzilla’s tail was about two seconds away from demolishing the building and him with it.
He didn’t even have time to close his eyes.
• • •
Only a few hours after Maddie’s brief interaction with Godzilla, reports of the King entering a decently sized city reached Castle Bravo. He didn’t seem to be moving with aggression, or in response to a threat, so G-team was left largely on standby.
Everything changed quickly. There were suddenly alarms going off, people shouting, and panic spread like wildfire through the halls.
Maddie watched with a dull sense of bewilderment as Castle Bravo employees ran in and out of the control room, frantic and jittery. Having grown tired of sitting numbly on the floor, Maddie pushed to her feet and carefully wandered through the chaos.
Unwilling to interrupt anyone, she merely listened in, and through her unsubtle eavesdropping, learned Godzilla had apparently gone berserk on some humans in an office building. Just straight up murdered eight people.
No one seemed to know why—whether he’d been provoked somehow, or whether he’d simply gone into a city with the intent to kill.
Griffin suddenly appeared at Maddie’s shoulder, startling her. “C’mon, kid, we’re getting you out of here, all right?” She gently but firmly wrapped her fingers around Maddie’s upper arm and smoothly guided her out of the room.
“You’re not going after him?” she asked, hurrying to keep up.
“We will, but only after we get the handful of civilians back to the mainland.” She cast Maddie an apologetic glance. “Emergency protocols, kid. Ilene’ll join you soon to stay with you until we get things figured out.”
An Osprey being piloted by Griffin and another G-teamer took off a few minutes later, carrying seven civilians who had all been at Castle Bravo for different reasons. Maddie recognized two of them from the investigators for her dad’s kidnapping, and she tightly gripped the edge of her seat. If Godzilla’s totally uncharacteristic attack got her dad killed or something because Monarch had to set the case aside, she’d be having words with him.
Even with aircraft as fast as the Ospreys, the flight still took over an hour. Long enough for Maddie to slip in and out of a doze, never quite falling all the way asleep. It left her feeling even more tired by the time they landed.
They literally couldn’t have made the journey shorter, since the Osprey dropped them off within throwing distance of the ocean. A Monarch warehouse sat in a large industrial park, complete with an impressive pier jutting out into the water.
While the other civilians went inside, Maddie wandered out to the end of the enormous dock, where she sat down and dangled her feet off the side. It was high enough up that she couldn’t have touched the water even if she hung off the edge completely.
She lowered herself to her back and tried to keep her mind nice and empty. No thoughts were better than bad ones.
She wasn’t sure how long she stayed like that, though it couldn’t have been too long, when she heard the splashing of something moving through the water.
Maddie sat up, instantly surprised to see Godzilla approaching the pier, his head held oddly above the surface. She’d never seen him swim like that.
He rumbled at her as he got closer. Squinting, Maddie saw that he had something in his mouth, held careful between his teeth. She couldn’t tell what it was.
An animal of some sort, maybe? Regardless, she quickly stood and backed up, since Godzilla seemed to be aiming to deposit his cargo where she’d been sitting. He leaned up, the rumble only growing in strength, and carefully spit out the thing in his mouth. She had only a moment to appreciate how hilariously smug he looked with himself as he sank back to a comfortable depth, and then she was looking at the creature he’d presented her with.
She couldn’t have been more shocked if she’d been hit by a bolt of lightning. Maddie darted forward and collapsed painfully to her knees with a strangled little yelp.
“Dad!” she cried, frantically tugging and pushing at him. “Dad, please!
He was definitely breathing, which almost made her burst into tears on its own, but then his eyes sluggishly opened at her call, and Maddie gracelessly collapsed against him. Hugging someone who was half-unconscious and entirely restrained was awkward at best, but it was still one of the top five hugs she’d ever participated in in her life.
She heard him slur something back, quiet and raspy and still very out of it, but she was pretty sure it was her name.
“I should go get someone,” Maddie realized. It felt like she’d been dropped into a world that moved twice as fast as she did, or like she’d been trapped in slow motion since her dad had been kidnapped.
Luckily—because she wasn’t sure she could have pried herself away from her dad—someone seemed to have taken notice of Godzilla’s appearance, and a crew of people were already running out to them.
Before they could reach her, Maddie turned to Godzilla with a lump in her throat. “Thank you,” she said, trying to inject every ounce of her sincerity, and then some, into those two, utterly inadequate words.
22 notes
·
View notes
Text
Keigo Atobe x Reader
Title: Missing Undergarments
Fluff
No Warning
You were the captain and coach of the U-17 tennis camp, you were in charge of the newcomers. You would have been able to do that for the upperclassman and be in charge of them but you knew they were lacking the spirit that you searched in a tennis team. So they gave the position to some idiot, you couldn’t stand. They weren’t normally your problem because the tennis team you were charge was your main priority. You were confident in their skills, mainly because you went to every tennis team, and hand-picked them yourself.
Right now the upperclassman was giving them a hard time, and you could feel a tick mark appear on your head. It was only the second week and they were already causing trouble for your team. The team didn’t know you were their coach, so when you served the ball and hit Byodoin to back him up away from your team their eyes widen. You also weren’t to keen on him hurting your best friend Tokugawa. You knew they weren’t expecting a girl to be in this camp, so if it was under different circumstances you would have looked at their faces.
“Oi! What do you think you are doing?” You asked walking down the bleachers, everyone parted ways, Tokugawa’s eyes widen. You were the captain for several years for U-17 camp, before you became a captain and a coach, but you normally didn’t make your appearance until the third or fourth week.
“(L/N)~san it’s a bit early to be revealing your face to the newcomers don’t you think?” He asked with that irritating smirk. You rolled your eyes walking past him, and checking Tokugawa over, he looked away knowing you were going to scold him later on for this.
“You need to go to the nurse and explain what happens. I will deal with you later.” You tell him, even though you two were best friends, you always scolded him when he did reckless things.
“Oi did you hear me? I am talking to you?”
“Put some respect on my name, I showed my face because you and your airheaded team don’t know how to stop messing with my team. So I decided to come here myself to put a stop to it myself.” You said you voice getting darker with each sentence. Byodoin rolled his eyes before smirking holding his racket so it was pointing it at you.
“No need to be a sour patch, you know this is a tradition for us.”
“It’s also my tradition to beat your ass, every time you do. So what do you say we picked up where you left off at with Tokugawa? Actually no, that would be too easy, I will let you keep your points and I will take his points down and start at zero myself.” You said you could hear the multiple schools of the newcomers whispering about you.
“Always cocky.”
“No, if we both start at zero we both know I would crush you.” You say.
“Very well then, ladies serve first.” He smirked, you tossed him the ball which made him narrow his eyes at you.
“If that’s the case then you should be serving first not me.” You said with a cheeky grin that made him growl at you.
“Wait, miss, you shouldn’t. You will get hurt.” You turned your head, to see a cute redheaded boy that was in the golden pair.
“Kikumaru Eiji, golden pair with Oishi. It’s fine, trust me I will be fine.” You say the boy’s eyes widen in shock before looking at the others. Just like that the match resumed, Byodoin needing one point to win while you had zero. He served the ball, and just like that, you knew he was aiming for your body. You sidestepped the ball before returning it at a fast, lightning speed.
Point by point you caught up with Byodoin, and you could see the irritation in his eyes. He was getting angry with himself, and losing his cool in the process. You both were tied now, and he hit the ball just the way you needed. You stood in a position that everyone besides the newcomers knew, and they knew what shot was coming. Dragon Force.
“You aren’t the only powerhouse, you should know this. Dragon Force…” Byodoin’s eyes widen, and he stepped back as you hit the ball that formed a dragon’s body flying through the air, you knew he would try to return it, but you simply turned your back to him.
“Don’t you dare turn~ your~back to me!” Byodoin yelled but the force of the ball sent him flying into the wall denting it.
“You aren’t a match, never been a match never will be a match for me. You mess with my team again, I will personally make sure you guys are suspended from any games that happen in the near future Do I make myself clear? I chose to take on with training them because I can’t stand half of you red jersey bastards.” You say narrowing your eyes harder.
“You guys don’t deserve to wear the red jackets, so I plan to remove you guys completely to let them take your places when I am done with them.” You say putting your red jacket on your shoulders, that’s when the younger members realized you were the captain of the entire U-17 camp and must have been their coach. You walked away from them, before heading to the infirmary but were stopped by a member of Rikkaidai’s youngest member, Akaya.
“That was so cool!”
“Ah, thanks Akaya Kirihara youngest of Rikkaidai’s tennis team.” You patted his head, and continued to walk away, you didn’t notice but a certain captain of Hyoeti’s tennis team was watching you in awe.
“She is beautiful.”
“Uh, Atobe~kun she is like 2 years older than you.”
“Don’t care. Oresama will have her one way or another.” Atobe sighed in content before you stopped and looked over at them.
“ Let’s go check on Tokugawa alright?” You said, and everyone began to follow you. Atobe made his way up to you, and before he could say anything you raised a hand.
“Keigo Atobe, Hyotei’s captain.” You said, he felt his heart rate accelerate.
“You can call me or~”
“Call you Oresama? Yeah, not a chance.” You say raising an eyebrow, you heard snickering, and Keigo glared back at the team and they got quiet.
“It’s good to see you again (Y/N).” Shuji came up to hug you tightly, you hugged back with a smile.
“Good to be back, I guess.” You laughed nudging Shuji.
“You know they were highly concern about you facing Byodoin right?”
“I know, but can you blame them? They don’t know me, they just see a small female that looks like she can break easily like glass facing a brute like him.” You say.
“Yeah, even after I reassured them that Byodoin was the glass in this situation they didn’t believe me.” He said, and you laughed.
“Oi are you two...dating?” You turned your eyes to meet Keigo’s and he looked left out, Shuji looked at you and you both shared the same idea. Shuju was another one of your best friends that you adored and had to scold often for not training.
“She is soon to be my wife,” Shuji said, and you hugged his arms nodding.
“Oh, I see.” Atobe dropped his shoulders, the look of defeat on his face.
“Don’t be down, there are plenty of pretty girls.” You say in a teasing tone.
“Don’t tease them Shuji, (Y/N) you are their coach/captain you shouldn’t be joining in.” You looked up, and you rolled your eyes.
“ But we are dating.”
“Well, this is news to me,” Tokugawa said crossing his arms. You and Shuji looked at each other sharing the same though once again a smile on your face.
“Want us to prove it?” Shuji asked Tokugawa looked you both before realizing what you two were planning.
“Oh gross, don’t you dare.” It was too late Shuji pecked your lips, your eyes widen and you slapped his shoulder.
“Oi! We weren’t actually going to do that.” You exclaimed to Shuji who had a carefree smile on his lips.
“Too late now.”
“I am going to kill you.”
“Gotta catch me first.”
“Ugh, I hate you.” You say as Shuji ran from you.
“Anything with dating doesn’t listen to them, they aren’t dating.” Keigo’s spirits lifted up, and you could see hope in his eyes.
“Don’t go getting idea’s Keigo, I date people same age or older than me.” You say, before smacking Tokugawa upside his head.
“Owe, that hurts!”
“Sorry, are you hurt badly?”
“Not really, I just can’t overdo it.
“Good, 50 laps.”
“WHAT!?”
“You know the rules no joining in matches against the red jackets unless I or the other coaches arrange it.” You say.
“That is so cruel.”
“I can make it 200 laps. I am being nice because you got hurt during your match.”
“I am going, I am going,” Tokugawa said as he began running his laps. You smiled before yelling towards him.
“Meet us in the cafeteria when you are done bye~!” You said, leading them to the cafeteria.
“What are we doing here?” Oishi asked you looked over at him giving him a smile.
“Well when I reveal myself a month later, I always throw a small party for my team, since I revealed myself earlier we are just gonna have the party earlier. So if you want to shower and stuff just meet back here.” You say with a smile, they all nodded cheering that they get to relax a bit. You watched them all leave before Ryoma came up to you, you raised an eyebrow before saying the words you knew you were going to hear from one of them.
“I will beat you, and become the best.” You laughed softly hitting his hat down a bit.
“Go get in the shower you stink like sweat.” You say making Ryoma puff his cheeks out. You left to your room to shower yourself when you finished you went to put on underwear in a bra only to realize they were all gone. Every. Single. Last. Pair. You growled and went to look for pants or shorts only to realized your dresses were left behind.
“OH NO!” You exclaimed eyes widened in saucers, you put the skirt on and your red jacket so no one could tell.
“I can’t go outside to buy underwear, pants or bra, oh my god. I need... Tokugawa! Come here! You yelled getting to the cafeteria. You held your skirt down, with a blush as Tokugawa made his way to you.”
“What’s up?”
“I need a huge favor.”
“Are you okay? You are red in the face.” He asked worried, your blush increased and you leaned in to whisper in his ear.
“Someone stole my panties, bras, and pants leaving me with skirts and shirts. If I give you money can you please buy me undergarments?” His eyes widen, a blush covered his cheeks.
“I-I can’t (Y/N).”
“Please, I will do your homework for the rest of the year.”
“I am sorry. I can’t help I can’t just walk into a girls shop and buy those things.” He said apologetically.
“Fine, thanks though.” Shuji was the next person you called.
“SHUJI!” Tokugawa walked away giving you an apologetic smile.
“What’s up?” He asked you blushed before getting it over with.
“Someone stole my pants and ALL of my undergarments. I can’t go by them myself because well I am wearing a skirt with… nothing please go buy me some I will do your homework for the rest of the year. Shuji felt a nosebleed coming on, and your blush darkened, you whined and Shuji shook his head.
“I flirt with you, yes, but that’s because we enjoy making people think that, but I can’t possibly buy your undergarments. That means I would know exactly what you would be wearing, I can’t I am sorry.”
“Shuji if I don’t get these things, I will never be able to play tennis, I will have to forfeit matches and stuff please.”
“I am sorry but ask one of the younger males. SORRY (Y/N)!” He ran off to tend to his bleeding nose.
“Is everything okay (Y/N)~senpai?” You turned to see Oishi, and your eyes widen. He is so sweet and pure.
“Oishi, do you know anyone that has sisters? That isn’t shy? Or something…” Oishi thought for a moment.”
“Eiji, Fuji, Ryoma has an older female cousin. Uhm, that’s all I can think of.”
“Eiji! Fuji! Thanks, Oishi.”
“Anything I can help with?” He asked.
“Are you comfortable with shopping for bras and underwear?” You asked, and he blushed shaking his head.
“Then nope, thanks.” Eiji and Fuji made their way, Eiji had a blush.
“I know why you called I am sorry (Y/N) I can’t help. Tokugawa was asking around for you.” Eiji said.
“I didn’t hear what’s going on?” Fuji asked confused.
“Someone stole my pants and undergarments I need someone to buy me some I have money I can’t go out like this.” You said desperate, and Fuji’s eyes opened.
“Do you know who did it?”
“Nope, I was in the shower, or It could have been when I was at the courts.” You said Fuji puts a hand on his chin.
“I can’t help but if you can’t find anyone, I can get my sister too,” Eiji said, and Fuji nodded.
“Same I can too.”
“Thanks, I don’t want to be a bother to them though.” You say.
“Oh tell Tokugawa to stop asking people I don’t want everyone to know…” They nodded, and you sighed slipping away from the cafeteria, but Keigo stopped you.
“Senpai, do you need to ask me a question?” You turned to see Keigo. You were not about to ask him, but it was like he knew the issue.
“Did Tokugawa tell you?”
“Just ask me the question.” He said, you blushed groaning but you had no choice.
“Keigo can you please head to the store. I can’t walk out like this someone~”
“Stole your undergarments and pants? Yeah, I figured that’s what they were doing. Here.” He handed you bags, and you looked into the bag seeing all new undergarments. Your eyes widen and he gave you his famous smirk.
“Oresama is amazing, right? I even reported the ones who stole your stuff.” Keigo said, you were about to hug him but stopped.
“Once I am fully dressed, I am giving you a hug you are amazing.” You say speed walking to your room. Keigo grinned fist pumping in the air, and everyone walked to him.
“How did you know?” Tokugawa asked.
“When I was headed to my room, I heard Byodoin and some other’s say they were stealing (Y/N) stuff, so I recorded them and took it to the coaches.” Everyone nodded and began to party, and you walked out of your room to see Keigo waiting for you.
“You were waiting for me?”
“Yepp.” You hugged him tightly, and he returned the hug. You gave him a soft kiss to the cheek before heading down to the cafeteria.
“Thanks, Keigo, I owe you one.”
“Just a date will be fine, maybe a dance tonight.” You glanced at Keigo, and he offered you his hand once you both made it The music was loud and you leaned your head back, before looking at him.
“You are serious.”
“Oresama is very serious.” You looked over to see Tokugawa and Shuji who were grinning at you, you had a blush before taking his hand. You both continued to dance, and Keigo held you close. Even though you were older, you were shorter than him, it wasn’t long before Nioh pulled you away from Keigo and began to dance with you.
“Puri~not sorry I stole her from you.”
“Oi~!” Keigo growled at Nioh, you sweatdropped. Nioh danced away from Keigo in the crowd, somewhere along the way, Fuji was dancing with you, than Oishi, than Bunta, then Akaya, back to Keigo, then Shuji. You were confused, amongst the slight arguing you somehow started dancing with Ryoma.
“How did I even get into this?” Ryoma was confused just as you were, someone pushed someone, and you let Ryoma go and fell into Tezuka.
“Oh dear, this is getting out of hand.” You said, and Tezuka adjusted his glasses.
“It is now they are arguing who is better at tennis.” You laughed softly, you had your work cut out for you. Just then Keigo appeared at Tezuka’s side.
“Can I have her back?” Keigo said, and Tezuka allowed you to dance with Keigo.
“Idiots.” He mumbled, and you laughed softly before pecking Keigo’s lips.
“Maybe I can make an exception for you. After all, you were man enough to buy things no one else was comfortable doing.” You say.
“You give Oresama a chance I would be so happy.” You laughed softly, and Keigo led you away from everyone. He sat you on the bench outside, before holding your hand in his. You leaned your head on his shoulder, and he looked down at you.
“So dating now?” Keigo asked and you shook your head.
“We only met today, but give it time I am sure it will happen in due time.” You say, and he kissed the top of your head.
“I can wait, as long as you become Oresama’s in the end.” You shook your head with a smile on your face.
28 notes
·
View notes
Text
Under the Cloudy Skies [1-4]
~~~~~~[1]~~~~~~
Reon: (I don’t have a 4th slot today… I have plenty of time until my job, so maybe I’ll just go back and practice for a bit)
???: Ah- Reon-kun
Reon: Huh..?
Banri: I heard from Wataru-kun, that the older members of Gyro aren’t here right now?
Reon: ah… yeah
Reon: But its no big deal if they’re here or not
Banri: Oh.. really? Its just you and Nayuta-kun then
Banri: I’ve had the impression that you and Nayuta-kun often butt heads
Reon: Well that's because that bastard…
Reon: Either way, thats not a problem. Since we don’t really run into each other anyways
Banri: Ah… I see. You probably don’t have class in noon… the only thing to go to left is your part-time?
Reon: Well there's that, and also because our lives are all on different wavelengths
Reon: ( ...to simplify it, we didn’t have to really worry about that form the start)
Banri: Got it..
Banri: If you don’t have 5 people, you can’t rent a studio or practice…
Banri: Ah, what about during eating? You don’t meet up to eat?
Reon: We usually get it done outside
Banri: Eh
Reon: Or I’ll just buy from the convenience store...
Banri: You don’t cook for yourself!? WHY!?
Reon: Why… because it’s a hassle
Banri: HAAAAAAAAAA, I can’t believe this…. what a waste
Reon: No… that's just how it is
Reon: Do you make your own food in Argo?
Banri: Of course! The ingredients are also bought directly from the supermarket
Banri: Well, it was hard at first
Banri: There were some really good beginner chefs… if you left them alone they’d wash the rice down with detergent level
Banri: ...don’t tell me, are you also on that level of cooking?
Reon: At the very least, I know how to cook rice
Banri: That sounds right, and relieving
Banri: If that's the case, you should be able to practice and cook a bit right?
Banri: Just eating out or from bentos can be bad for you right
Reon: Well thats...
Reon: ....
Reon: (...that reminds me, is he, eating properly?)
Banri: ...ah, Nayuta-kun
Reon: !
Nayuta: …..
Reon: (...hm?!)
Reon: ...isn’t he, looking a little pale?
~~~~~~~~[2]~~~~~~~~
Reon: ...isn’t he, looking a little pale?
Banri: Nayuta-kun is? I’m not so sure, he looks fine to me
Reon: ...I see
Banri: If anything, I’m a little surprised that you seem pretty worried
Reon: That’s not how it is. But, Nayuta’s throat..
Banri: ...ah, is it the asthma thing? I remember him collapsing mid-live as well
Banri: It got spread around and caused a bit of an uproar, and even he admitted to it live
Reon: Yeah
Banri: Are symptoms reappearing recently?
Reon: Nope, I haven’t heard of anything. Our last practice went smoothly after all
Banri: Got it…
Banri: If you’re curious about it, why don’t you ask him? I think you can still catch up to him
Reon: ...Nah, I’ll pass. He’s seems like type to hate being cared for
Reon: It’ll be a pain in the ass if I try to
Banri: Hm? Well, I guess I kinda understand
Banri: But the more you try to pretend that everythings okay, the more you feel like your clinging on by yourself
Banri: I’m saying that from personal experience
Banri: ....y’know, back when we were in Hokkaido, I got into a traffic incident and inconvenienced everyone
Reon: Ah… was it that time…
Banri: I didn’t want to have them be worried. I wanted to show them that I could handle it myself
Banri: But the situation got worse, and I couldn’t do it
Reon: I see…
Banri: Well that's just in my case. There can be patterns like that as well
Reon: ...I’ll take note on that
--Night--
Salesperson: Thank you very much-!
Reon: (It’s still 7pm)
Reon: (At this time, the music store is still open, so I’ll just swing by)
*Flashback to Nayuta in the morning*: …
Reon: ...
Reon: (It’s not like I’m worried about it, but I should probably just go home now)
--Sharehouse--
Reon: I’m back...
Reon: (The fact that the lights are on means Nayuta’s already back)
Reon: (I was already told by Kenta-san, so I guess, I’ll take a peek)
*Loud sound of something crashing/falling*
Reon: hm?... Nayuta?
Nayuta: *Wheezing sounds*
Reon: Oi !?
Nayuta: shut...up..don’t be so loud
Reon: ...tch, is your asthma acting up again ! The medicine? You have some right !?
Nayuta: *Even louder wheezing and coughing sounds*
Reon: Fuck… Nayuta! Keep it together!
~~~~~~~~[3]~~~~~~~~
--Hospital--
Reon: ...it's good that I kept my calm
Nayuta: ...
Reon: That medicine.. Is pretty effective
Nayuta: …
Reon: You little-! Why don’t you say anything! I was hella worried over this !?
Nayuta: I don’t remember asking you for anything
Reon: HA !?
Nurse: Pardon my intrusion, but please be quiet in the hospital
Reon: Ah.. right, I’ll try not to next time
Reon: Oi, Nayuta? Where’re you going
Nayuta: They ringed you up for the bill. Didn’t you hear it ?
Reon: Oh for fuck’s sake -! I’ll pay for it so you sit down
Nayuta: You don’t need-
Reon: Don’t you dare say it. Sit down
Nayuta: …
--Gyroaxia’s sharehouse--
Reon: hah…
Reon: Overuse of throat, mild malnutrition, lack of sleep. Even you heard the doctor’s reasons for your breathlessness
Reon: I thought you just weren’t at home alot, but turns out you were at the studio…
Nayuta: Whatever I do is up to me. I don’t remember having to be bossed around by you
Reon: That may be so. But it’s no good if it's to the point where you collapse
Reon: Is this something that can be managed haphazardly with the power of pure will
Reon: and if that really works, why haven’t you been able to overcome it by now?
Nayuta: …
Reon: This time it happened at the sharehouse so its fine
Reon: But if you keep doing this, there's no doubt that you’ll end up collapsing on stage
Reon: ...just like that time
Nayuta: …
Nayuta: I choose the time to finish practice
Nayuta: Its impossible to think of neglecting practice just because of my throat’s condition
Nayuta: I gotta do it somewhere
Reon: I understand that, but it doesn’t mean to force it
Reon: But your problem is that you’re so focused on what's ahead that you’re neglecting the present you
Reon: ...the thing you’re neglecting the most is your own health
Nayuta: tch, don’t just go deciding that. What do you know about me?
Reon: Then tell me. What you’re thinking
Reon: If I’m satisfied with that answer, I won’t question anything. You’ll be free to do whatever you want
Nayuta: …
Reon: If you clam it up here, I’ll keep bugging you until I hear it
Nayuta: Shut up
Nayuta: tch
~~~~~~~~[4]~~~~~~~~
Reon: So, what about it Nayuta. What do you feel about your body?
Nayuta: ...tch
Nayuta: I’m taking medicine nor am I feeling sick these days. There isn’t a live concert upcoming anyways
Nayuta: So I decided that there were no problems
Reon: ‘I decided’, it makes you sound like you were thinking before acting
Nayuta: hah
Nayuta: I didn’t want to showcase such a disgraceful figure. I have no regrets
Reon: ...
Reon: (...regret)
Reon: (Thats what Ryo-san said back then as well)
*Flashback to band practice*
Ryo: Nayuta..I think he was regretting something
Reon: Regretting?
Ryo: Yup. How he couldn’t sing at yesterday’s live
Ryo: Probably even more than anyone of us
*End of flashback*
Reon: If thats the case, don’t go ham anymore
Nayuta: I’m not taking your instructions
Reon: ...ha !?
Nayuta: It doesn’t matter if you agree or not, I do what I want
Nayuta: I don’t want to collapse at a live, and I don’t intend to in the future
Reon: Then you’re just repeating the same-
Nayuta: Shut up
Reon: …
Nayuta: At least I know about my asthma more than you, even if you’ve been around me since children
Nayuta: and just because we came to Tokyo and my health deteriorated a bit
Nayuta: With today’s seizure, I now know the line that I shouldn’t cross
Reon: Oi… don’t tell me you’re planning to go to the very edge
Nayuta: It's a necessary action, to take the world
Reon: ....you little shit..! You just never learn!
Nayuta: That guy is just doing what's convenient to him
Reon: No matter how much Kenta-san worries about you, it'll all go to naught if you keep acting like that!
Reon: For the last time, that’s-
Nayuta: I answered what you wanted to know
Nayuta: This discussion is over
Reon: Hey, hold on-
Reon: I can’t believe that fucker!
Reon: Shit… really, what is it
Reon: (...regret huh)
Reon: (I didn’t expect such words to come out of Nayuta’s mouth)
Reon: (Feeling worried… scratch that. After hearing those words…)
Reon: (...For now I need to contact Kenta-san and the others)
7 notes
·
View notes
Text
Mountain Man: Part 7
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | PART 7 | Part 8
Pairing: Arthur Morgan x Reader
Word count: 2.8k
Warnings: Angst, Swearing
Summary: You never thought you’d love again. Then Arthur Morgan came into town. Fate continuously has you meeting each other in odd ways, and a troubled past is something you are both familiar with. Perhaps that’s what will make this time different.
-----
Mary had left in the early afternoon, pressing happy kisses to everyone’s cheeks, exactly as she had done upon her arrival. She promised to write and to send Ben plenty of candy from her next stop in San Denis, before making her way quickly to the train station with the help of Ms. Chadwick and one of the local stable hands.
This left you plenty of time to finish up some chores, including laundering the bedsheets that Mary had borrowed, while Ben wore himself out again chasing the cat in the yard. The monotony of it left you to stew in the thoughts that had been plaguing you since seeing Arthur that morning.
He obviously hadn’t known that Mary was in town when he arrived, or when he had accepted your offer to get drinks. Otherwise, you were certain he would have never entertained the notion of drinks and dinner, let alone been so receptive of your adrenaline-filled kiss.
And that’s all it was, wasn’t it?
You had been through so much that day, had been so worked up from not only realising that your husband had been murdered, but also seeing his murderer face to face, that all of your emotions came rushing out at once. Nothing more, nothing less.
Arthur was attractive, sure. And excellent with Ben. And he seemed like a decent man - despite what Mary had said about him running with outlaws. But you barely knew each other… those feelings, the butterflies in your stomach, the way you couldn’t wait to hear his laugh, they were just symptoms of newfound puppy love.
And you would get over it.
You would get over him.
After all, what use was there in pining after a man who was in love with someone else?
The rest of the day had passed without incident. You finished chores, Ben read a few chapters of his book and helped you out when you asked, the two of you had dinner. Soon enough, the sun was setting, painting bright reds and pinks across the sky in a way that was particularly unique to the Heartlands, and you were helping your son into his bed.
Pulling the warm quilt up to his chin, you tucked him in and gave him a kiss on his forehead. He let out a long, exhausted yawn and looked at you with wide, innocent eyes. “Mama,” he said softly as you sat down on the side of his bed and brushed the hair away from his face. “I really liked Miss Mary.” Another yawn. “And she looked so happy today when she left. Do you think she’s gonna come back and visit us?”
You smiled at him, hand still on his curls that reminded you so much of his father. “We’ll have to see, sweetheart,” you explained to him. It was unlikely that Mary would be back in Valentine for a while, but you didn’t have the heart to tell him. One heart in the house had already been hurt today, you didn’t need to add his to it. “She did say she would write, didn’t she?” you continued, “And send candy from St. Denis.” A warm smile, just for him, graced your lips.
“Do they have different candies in St. Denis?” his voice was growing even sleepier as he spoke. The boy had the astounding ability to fall asleep even in the middle of a conversation if he was tired enough. “I like candies…” Small eyelids fluttered shut and you felt his deep breaths on your arm. Asleep.
You ran your hand gently to his cheek, looking at your child in adoration. So small. So gentle. So perfect.
If only Andrew were there to see him.
A lump found its way into your throat again, as tears threatened to spill. You stood carefully, making sure not to wake Ben and chiding yourself for being so emotional. Telling yourself it was because you missed your husband. Trying to convince yourself that it had nothing to do with the man you had somehow become so attached to in the past few weeks.
A few deep breaths calmed you down enough so that you could hold back your tears. There was no need to cry, especially if it would cause the poor, tired child distress. You could just go to bed, ignore your feelings, and everything would be fine in the morning.
Which is exactly what you had intended to do, until you were abruptly woken from your sleep a few hours later.
At first, you thought it was your imagination; your overwhelmed mind playing tricks on you. But then it happened again. And again. Your name rang in your ears, the sound coming from the front of your house. Each time it grew louder, the last syllable drawn out in a drunken slur, until you finally stood to look out the window.
To your shock, standing out in the grass and staring back up at you through the darkness, stood the hulking form of the man who had been on your mind all day. His hat was lopsided on his head, his body rocked back and forth as he tried to keep his balance. The man was completely drunk.
As soon as you realised who was standing in your front lawn, you darted down the stairs and out the door, foregoing slippers or a housecoat. The ground was cold under your bare feet, and the wind whipped through your nightgown, chilling you as you approached him.
“Ar-Arthur?” you called, just a few steps away from the porch. He started staggering toward you with a wide grin on his face. “What on earth are you doing here?” Your next question came out as more of a hiss, torn between knowing you needed to keep quiet and wanting to make your irritation evident.
Arthur, however, was anything but quiet. He barked out the laugh that you had come to adore as he reached you. “Comin’ to visit, o’course!” he slurred, his voice far louder than you would have liked. “Was out drinkin’ and couldn’ think o’ anywhere else I wanted t’ be!” he continued, reaching over to wrap an arm around your shoulders and pull you up the stairs.
You turned to follow him, darting out from under his heavy grasp and in front of the door before he could open it. “Arthur…” you whispered, scolding him. “It’s 3 in the morning.” You hoped he would get the hint and quiet down a bit. Otherwise, the entire conversation would need to stay outside, lest you disturb the other members of the household.
He stumbled closer to you, his voice only slightly quieter. “What’s your…” he paused and leaned a hand against the wall behind your head to keep his balance. He was so close to you, bringing back memories of the previous night. His scent overwhelmed your senses. The smell of smoke, earth, hay, and whisky; it was almost too much. You wanted to bottle it up. “What’s your problem anyway?” he drunkenly whispered, his lips nearing your ear before he leaned his head on your shoulder.
“E-excuse me?” you stammered, frozen in place by the sudden contact. Sure, you had flirted and you had initiated whatever had happened the previous evening. But he was the one who stopped. He was the one who left with another woman the next morning. He was the one who showed up drunk on your porch in the dead of night. “Arthur, you barged in here while I was sleeping and-”
There is no reasoning with a drunk man.
“No, no no no no,” he murmured, lifting his forehead from your shoulder. Suddenly, he turned around and leaned against the wall beside you with a low thud. “That’s… ‘s not what I meant. What’s your problem…” One of his large, dirty hands came to his face and he began to massage his temples before continuing with a drunken sigh. “...Why you gotta go on makin’ me feel like this?”
You were completely flabbergasted. “What on earth are you talking about?” you spat, still trying to keep relatively quiet, yet unable to contain your frustration with the man. What exactly did you make him feel? From the way the last day and a half had gone, you had only assumed you had made him feel ashamed, or even embarrassed. Especially after he had run off for Mary in the morning.
He was still leaning back against the wall with his hand on his face when he spoke next. “I… I ain’t known you for a few weeks and…” he paused for a moment, before looking at you with a deep sigh. “... you’re all I think about.”
He was drunk. He was completely, utterly drunk. Three sheets to the wind. That was the only explanation. Because, god damn it, if he couldn’t stop thinking about you, then why the hell had he pushed you aside to see Mary? “Arthur, I think you need to lay down,” you sighed, turning to open the door.
He could sleep on the couch, leave in the morning, and the two of you could forget this ever happened. It would be like you had just met. Like you didn’t even know each other.
It would work. It had to.
As soon as the door was open, you gently clapped a hand on his shoulder and led him into the house. The floor creaked lightly as you directed him over to the living room, where the domino set was still lying out on the table. A blanket was draped over the back of the sofa, which you grabbed before directing Arthur to sit down.
Instead, he stumbled across the room and to one of the windows overlooking the front yard. “See, there… there you go,” he rambled, raising a hand lethargically to indicate to you. His face was flushed with alcohol, and he looked at you strangely, a mixture of adoration and exasperation. “Walkin’ all ‘round here and pretendin’ to care about me. Flirtin’ and lookin’ at me with those pretty eyes o’ yours. Makin’ me forget that…” he paused for a moment, bringing a hand once again to his face as he leaned against the wall. “...ain’t no one really care ‘bout me. ‘m an old, ugly, angry bastard ‘n could never deserve someone like you.” He leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes as soon as he finished his sentence, as if he were about to fall asleep standing right there.
You took a step toward him, trying your best to ignore the butterflies that had come to life in your stomach at his revelation. He was drunk, he didn’t know what he was saying. You should’t take him seriously. “Arthur, please,” you said, your voice cracking slightly. Whether it was from the fact that it was 3am or the overwhelming situation that you suddenly found yourself in, you weren’t entirely sure. “You’re drunk, come sit down.” With that, you reached out to put a hand on his shoulder, anticipating the electric spark of your touch on his skin with both dread and excitement.
He looked at you when your hand landed on his shoulder, but only for a moment. Quickly, he tore his eyes away from yours and shrugged your hand away, as if it hurt to be in contact with you. “‘n then Mary! Mary was here and was wantin’ me to come ‘round and help her and then scoldin’ me like always. ‘N here I am, jumpin’ at the chance to see her ‘n all she ever does is bring me down,” he continued, rambling, drunk. “But you, you’d never do that, you’re always so… so kind. Even to Mary… even to people you don’t like.” Staggering footsteps brought him to the couch, where he collapsed with a thud and leaned back against the cushions.
You were at a loss for words. He may have been completely wasted, but it was getting awfully hard not to believe what he said. It was getting awfully hard to keep stamping down the seed of hope that had embedded itself in your stomach. After all, the drunken man speaks the sober man’s thoughts, as they say. But you wouldn’t push him, you could talk about this in the morning.
“I’ll get you some water.”
You pulled the blanket over his lap and made to leave the room, but were stopped by his hand on your wrist. He looked up at you with his beautiful teal eyes, making you weak in the knees. “I… I don’ need no water,” he said with a large yawn, covering his mouth with his arm. “I just… I jus’ came here to tell you how I feel. ‘Cus god knows I won’t be able t’ do it when ‘m sober. ‘n’ then I’ll leave and you won’t have t’ deal with this sour ol’ bastard ever again.” He finally let go of your wrist and looked down to his lap, taking a deep breath.
The couch creaked lightly when you moved to sit next to him, reveling in the warmth of his body next to yours. You turned to face him, placing a hand gently on his broad shoulder. “Arthur…” you didn’t want to continue the conversation about his feelings for now, but you would certainly not leave him alone to spiral into his self-hatred.
He didn’t let you continue, and instead kept quietly rambling on, staring at his hands. “I don’... I don’ deserve you,” he managed as his eyelids began to droop. He leaned his head back against the back of the old couch and looked at the ceiling. With a frustrated groan, he again brought his hand up to cover his face and continued. “But ‘m so sweet on you. ...feel like a stupid li’l boy again when ‘m around you. ‘N you don’ even feel the same. Or if you do… you shoa as hell shouldn’t.”
You had to swallow down the lump in your throat. You wanted to believe him, you wanted to lean into him and breathe in his scent and fall asleep curled together on the couch. You wanted to kiss him and tell him that you do feel the same, that you care about him too.
But you were scared.
He obviously still cared about Mary, and the last thing you needed to do was to get your hopes up and have them crushed. The two of you could talk about this in the morning, when he had slept all of this off and could think clearly again. “Arthur,” you said gently, prying his hand from his face and pulling it to his lap. You looked at him with the same gaze that you often gave your sleepy son when he refused to go to bed - amused, exhausted, affectionate. “You need to sleep.”
“Shoa, but I gotta tell ya…” he grunted, sitting up straight and turning to look you in the eye.
You sighed, he really was being adorably uncooperative. “You’re drunk, Arthur. We can talk about this in the morning.”
“Last night… the other night behind the jailhouse…” he continued, despite your gentle pleas for him to sleep. “I… I felt better wit’chu than I have in years.” He looked away then, which was a relief. He couldn’t see the shock that spread across your face. “‘n’ then… ‘n’ then when I saw the look on your face this mornin’... you looked so happy t’see me… ‘n’ then I went ‘n’ asked for Mary…” he groaned, once again leaning back onto the couch in defeat. “‘n’ the look on your face… you looked so damn sad… ‘n’ it was all ‘cause of me…” He finally trailed off, lost in self-loathing, regretting that he had been the one to cause your pain.
You couldn’t take it anymore. You needed to think. He needed to sleep. This couldn’t keep going. “Arthur, please…” you pleaded, reaching over and brushing your fingers gently through his hair; a trick you had learned when Ben was a baby. Maybe it would work on Arthur as well.
“No no no no no,” he groaned, leaning into your touch. Each word came out slower, more lethargic than the last. “I just... just gotta tell ya. If this was… if this was another life. If you wasn’t too good for me… I’d-” Suddenly, his words trailed off, followed shortly by a loud snore.
You bit your lip to hold back frustrated tears and drew your hand away from his hair to look at him. He was finally asleep, leaning back against the worn couch with a blanket strewn over his lap. You were tempted to lie him down, make him more comfortable, but decided against it. It would be best if you avoided waking him.
Instead, with one last glance, you let out a deep sigh and pulled the blanket over his broad chest. Quietly, you stood and made your way out of the room and up to your bedroom. You climbed quietly into your bed, where you lied awake for the rest of the night; unable to stop thinking about the man on your couch downstairs.
#RDR2 fanfic#red dead redemption 2#Arthur Morgan#Arthur Morgan x reader#rdr2#arthur morgan x f!reader#f!reader
87 notes
·
View notes
Text
HAIKYUU AU;
Part 1 Part 2
Karasuno boys are having a sleepover in your place, their Manager!
7. Hinata Shouyo
Aweee look at those adorable face TwT
I'm a huge softie for first year tbh like.. WHO DOESN'T.
You know how Hinata supposed to ride his bike trough the mountain for half an hour and nu-uh baby you don't have to do that.
He doesn't mind though, he got his trusty rain coat stored back in his bag.
BUT STILL.
You insist at having the boys staying over night in your house. Watching you and Daichi having an argument it's like watching his parents quarelling.
"What about the others with a far house? Like Hinata, huh?"
DING DING DING! You - 1, Daichi - 0.
Hinata, being the most happy-go-lucky boi he is walks to your house with the most brightest grin.
You two are basically close enough, a lot of the first years really adores you. Because of your motherly side and well, your scary sides sometimes almost scares them more than Daichi's.
But Hinata, boy he is your favorites. He's the most brightest cheerful boy you've ever met and he's just like a baby brother..
To you, at least.
"Na na (Y/n)-senpai, do you have any siblings?" He asked. You nods. "Mhm i have one. He's on junior high. He's about your height." You jokes, knowing so well that Hinata will be pissed about it. And he did, he start complaining and protesting despite the rainy weather.
God you love him so much.
After unlocking the doors, you all entered the house quickly because the weather is just getting more worse. After distributing the towel, you went to bath.
While Hinata and the others busy looking around your house.
"Woaaah.. So this is what a girl's house look like.." he accidentally blurts out his thought. "Well yeah, never see a normal house before?" Tsukishima scoffs.
"Damn it Tsukishima. Shut up!" "Hey don't talk to Tsukki like that!" Yelp Yamaguchi.
After waiting for a bit the boys finally got to shower. Some of the third years showers first so he waits. But his sharp nose picks up something. Something smells delicious. The third years are back from his bath too.
So he follows his instinct and trails the delicious aroma and he ended up in Kitchen. He was about to walk past the Kitchen but then..
His eyes- Oh my for the love of Asahi's beautiful hair. He witness someone's cornering you. He panicks. He saw the gorgeous golden karaage that's been served on the plate and quickly snatch a few of them.
Before any of you could say anything, he bowed so many times and left the kitchen at ungodly speed. Leaving both of you in awkward position.
He was munching the Kaarage only to realized that his face is still in panic state. So he went to the trusty ol' buddy. Kageyama lol.
"What happen? You run into a ghost or somethin? That's what you get for cutting the line dumb-" "Kageyama.. In the kitchen.."
Ah shoot, is he really going to tell him this?
"They were in the kitchen.. They.." But before he could explained, Kageyama already assumed first what he was going to say.. incorrectly.
"Sugawara-san is cornering (Y/n)-san.." he whispered. Maybe his whisper is a tad too loud. Someone might have heard that. Kageyama clench his towel and gets up.
Poor bby tried to stop him but gets thrown away instead. He never know what happen when Kageyama went to the Kitchen. All he want to do now is get to the hot shower and eats.
"Hinata you can go." A voice told him, it was Nishinoya. Hinata thanked him and went to bathroom. Before he can get to the bathroom, he get past the kitchen. Preparing himself to witness another 'intense moment' as he past by.
But he locks eyes with you instead. You eyes was a little gloomy. His heart suddenly got a little pinch when he see your unusual facial expression.
After showering, he went out. Fold his dirty clothes and join the others. Somehow your unusual expression gets him that hard. He hardly can focus on food when you and Sugawara served the main dish.
Of course he still talks and jokes around but you're the only one who noticed that Hinata's not as cheerful when he first enter your house.
"Um.. Due to lack of the space, one of you have to sleep with me."
As usual the two second years that are going after you fights over who's the one who gets to sleep with you.
Untill you pull Hinata from the crowds and grins.
"I choose Hinata, he's like my baby brother so i trust him!" You smiles as you hang your arms on his shoulder. Hinata cannot believe you just did but everyone strangely agrees.
"He's too dumb anyway, he won't do anything weird to (Y/n)-san." Ouch, He heard that.
You leave the door open as you prepare the mattress for him. Ofc he helps too. You two pull the mattress out and prepares it.
"Here's your pillow and blanket. Do you need anything else?" You kindly asked. Hinata shakes his head.
"Kay then, i'll turn off the lights!" Once you cut off the light, the dim room suddenly got so different. You jumped to your bed and wrap yourself in your soft fluffly blanket as you face Hinata's side.
"Hehehe, i feel like sleeping with my brother, it's somehow exciting." You chuckles. Hinata looks up, he tried to find your face in the dim room. Thanks to the moon that unexpectedly shines over you two, you both able to see each others faces.
You're surprised after seeing Hinata's face. He got that serious calm face just like when he about to take over the courts. It sometimes scares you how the loud boy can be so calm yet serious.
"Do i look like that to you, (Y/n)-senpai?" He asked. Sitting right up.
"Huh?"
"Do i really look like your baby brother?" He asked. You jokingly agrees. But when he gets up. You know he's serious now. Oh fuck.
"Did you forget that i'm a boy too?" His fast movement plus the dim room causing you to lower your guards and just in a second, he's already on top of you. Wait how?
"You know.. I saw how Suga-san cornering you like this in the kitchen earlier." He explained. Ah he did witness that.
"Don't treat me like a child, (Y/n)-san. I'm- I'm a man too!" He stated while making a manly face.
You can't help but smiles. Damn, you misunderstand him. You always thought that he just adore you because you're his senpai, turns out you're wrong. He got thus serious yet commited face. And don't forget a lil' flushed cheeks.
"I'm not a kid..." those were his last word before he falls down on your body and fall asleep.
You laughed and hugs him. Hugging him close to your chest.
"Of course you're not, Shouyou.."
8. Tsukishima Kei
Salt boi is here yall
He doesn't bother to say no when you offer him.
"Hah? No thanks. I'm not in the mood for sleepover."
But oh well you insist him to go in the end. And he does.
As expected, Tsukki didn't say much or even complained. Because he kept it inside. Pfft.
"Dang it why do i have to do this?" "i should've decline." "This is just a club, duh." "How many times i have to deal with this bunch of idiots."
"ThIs iS jUst A ClUb"
He places his shoes and went in. Leaving everyone behind and drop himself to your couch.
While everyone are looking at him with the 'what-the-fuck' face and Daichi is ready to beat his ass, but you stopped them.
"It's alright you all. Tsukki is actually visited my house a lot so he gets used to it." You explained and everyone are shooked.
Everyone asked him why did he get to visit your house. He simply shrugs "Our parents are friends with each other."
Everyone never knew that you both are actually childhood friend. Well you and his older brother is. But you consider Tsukki's your childhood friend too because he used to tag along with his older brother and play together with you. Since middle school, he often visits your home. Along with Akiteru.
No one really notice this because of your rare interaction. Sure you often scolds him and talk ti him but no interaction outside the club activity.
While the other are making a ruckus he wondered. "It's been so long after i came here. When was it? Around Junior high i guess? Well, doesn't matter."
"Tsukki! You came here a lot? How come i never know??" Yamaguchi protest. He doesn't believe that his bestfriend is actually close with anyone.
"None of your bussiness Yamaguchi." He simply shut him up and dried his blonde hair.
His eyes wander around your living room. Nothing change since his last visit. He hates to admit it but it brings so much memories.
"Nee-chan, I like you!"
He snaps out. Fuck why is he remembering that now. He takes off his glass and massaged his temple as Hinata rushing back from the kitchen.
It didn't take too long for him to figure out everything because of Hinata's loud whispering. He knows what happen between you and Sugawara in the Kitchen.
It's none of his concern. Or is it?
So he didn't think about it and left to bath. Before he able to enter the bath, you tried to stop him and offer him a clean towel for him but ofc he refuse wdy expect.
Once he shut the door close, gotta admit he kinda hate seeing Sugawara touchy touchy with you. But tch, what's his problem. It's your problem, not his. So what if you date someone from the voleyball club, right?
...Right?
He left the bath feeling a little better and less annoyed. When he's back to the living room he saw how close you are to the senpais. Deep down, it honestly irks him. But oh well.
Just when he place himself infront of the table, you hand him his portion of rice. "Not too much, right? I still remember!" You smiled.
He thanked you then starts to eat. Tsukishima probably is the calmest when eating. While everybody laughs, jokes, and talks he keep quiet and focus on his food. Sure he add a littlr insults here and there but it doesn't distract him from his focus.
You love that side of Tsukishima. If only he can take Voleyball that serious, you thought to yourself.
After cleaning up and washing the dishesh, it's time to sleep.
Again, "Um... Due to the lack of space, one of you have to sleep with me."
Again, Tsukishima already prepared himself for sleeping anywhere. Anywhere is fine really. He just want to call it a night. Sleeping with you? It's out of his boundaries. He can never do that-
"Tsukishima? You alright?" Your voice snaps him out.
"Huh oh, me?"
"Yeah. You seems spacing out a lot lately." Tsukishima denies, only to realize that he's in your room and no one is around him.
"Wait. Where's everyone?" He wonder. You laughs. "They've gone to sleep. And you should too, Tsukki." You tap his back, giving him a little rub.
After you pulled the mattress out, Tsukishima helps you with the sheet and stuff. He didn't say a word. Is he okay, you always wonder.
"Can you turn the lights off, please?" You ask him. He reach for the lights and turns it off. When darkness hits you. It's like you're in a different room.
10 minute have passed and none of you made any sound. Ony the sound of your body turning over and over and the soft blanket.
"What is it? Can't sleep?" Tsukishima suddenly spoke out. You're kinda surprised a little. But you nods.
"Hey, don't you remember our first sleepover?-" "I didn't. Goodnight." He cuts you off and turns his back on you. Guess he's that tired afterall.
For god sake you've tried to close your eyes arpund hundred thousand times. But it won't. Tsukishima presence is making you hard to behave.
You face him. Looking over his broad back. He grew so fast. You barely stands a chance. You remember how you and him used to compare your height and he beats you. You remember how he used to play with you and Akiteru will suggest a weird yet fun ideas. And how that day, he... confess to you.
You snaps out when you feel a sudden hit in your hand. You look over to him and find his eyes looking at you. "Are you okay? Staring at the ceiling, not blinking for almost a minute now. I'm almost having a heart attack." He said followed with a laugh of yours.
"Sorry, reminiscing old times."
"What do you mean?"
"You know, our old times."
He suddenly became quiet again. You turn over him and rest your head at the corner of the bed. "Why.. Are you avoiding me?" Tsukishima scoffs. "Avoiding you? When?" "3 summers ago. When we're having our first sleepover. And you..."
Your heart and brain are niw deciding whether you should remind him or not. Not noticing your body being so close to the edge and boom.
You fell right trough to his body. What a coincidence right. "What the- Get off me!" He pushed you off. Ouch..
You sits on his bed. Your heart is still aching from him raising his voice. You looks away.
"Do you hate me that much? I tried to talk to you but you never listen." Tsukki looks over to you. His blurry gaze didn't help so he sits right up too and faces you.
"What is your problem? Can't you just sleep quietly?" "I cannot!" "Well then stop bothering me!" ..He might have gone too far.
Is that you've been doing? Bothering him..?
Ah fuck, never knew getting told off like this will hurt your heart that much.
"Fine, Sorry. I'll stop." You climbs up to your bed. Ignoring your aching heart you decided to close your eyes.
Until you feel a warm presence behind you. You know it's him. "What are you-" "Shut up and listen. Don't cut me off and let me finish." He stated. Your silence showing that you agrees.
"I still remember our first sleepover. I remember how we can't sleep untill 2. While Akiteru-nii is sleeping, we talk and jokes until the night goes away. But one thing that i want to forget that night is when i..." he stops for a while, seems lost. His left hand is resting on your waist. You holds his hand. Calming him.
"When i confess to you. I want to erase that memory from my mind but lucky me huh, we met again. So it's a fail." You turn around and cups his face. "..Are you assuming that night that i rejected you, Kei?" He didn't expect this. What the hell?
You chuckles, seeing his clueless face is funny. "You stupid giraffe. It's my first confession dummy. I don't know how to react so i just left you off and sleep without thinking about it. But now that i think about it.." your cheeks heating up. Ah shit.
You two are so close. There's barely any distance left. His arms suddenly pushed you into his hug. Resting your head in his chest.
"In case you want to know. My feelings haven't change a slightest."
9. Yamaguchi Tadashi.
Look at that. You've been blessed by his precious smile.
Cutie didn't want to bother you at first. But Tsukki's joining so why not?
As you already know, the first year are well obsessed? Not really, but all of them put you in a special place in their heart.
Especially for Yamaguchi.
You know his struggle. His pain. His grieve when he failed that pinch serve.
You're the one who calms him down and be there for him. His panic, he almost burst out to tears and he did, he tried to leave but you stopped him and hugs him while he's crying like a baby in your hug.
And of course after that he developed a huge crush on you.
He's amazed on how you're able to handle most of them from the craziest, loudest one to the saltiest and quietest one.
When he step into your house, he barely even realize that his face shows how happy he is. Spending a night in your house, what is this a dream?
'Till he found out that his bestfriend, Tsukishima is your childhood friend. And he never knew anything. At. All.
"Tsukki? You came here a lot? How come i never knew??" And as usual Tsukishima shuts him up
He lost a little bit of his hope. Poor baby :(
You and Yamaguchi is always a good.. friend? I mean you both comfort each other. But being their Senior and their Manager, it's your job right?
But then he heard that Sugawara-senpai is- what? Cornering you? What is going on?
His heart immediately panicks and over-thinking.
It's true that everyone want to have you, but.. He cannot lose. He won't.
For a whole day he keeps himself quiet. More quiet than the usual. From the bath to dinner. And you don't even notice. Weird, usually you notice right away.. But oh well, he can talk to you later, right?
And the time came.
"Um.. Due to the lack of space, one of you have to sleep with me."
His heart jolts up. His chance for talking to you.
He locked eyes with you. Hoping you notice him. But.. You didn't. And in the end, you decided to sleep alone. Shoot. "There goes my chance." He thought.
The coldness in the living room is not comfortable at all. His mind is still going around on you, you, and only you. He need to talk to you. So he made up his mind.
He sloowly make his way to your room. Knocking it lightly to inform you. But no answer. A minute has passed since the last knock went on your door. "She's probably asleep.." But the door's open. And he got a glimpse of you in your bed. Getting sleepy but still a little awake.
Then your eyes met. Yamaguchi squeak and tried to run away. "Wait! Yamaguchi!" And he freezes on the spot. You walk over and opens the door.
"What is it?" Your gentle smile flies is a cure for his worries and thoughts.
"I-I.. But you already asleep, i shouldn't bother you, I'm sorry.."
"No no! It's alright. Come here." You says with a smiles. God his heart feel at ease. He quietly walk closer and enter your room.
He's embarassed and it shows. His fidgety moves and the sweaty palms.
You pull the mini mattress below your bed and Yamaguchi immediately helps you. You both then sits on top of it.
"What is it you want to talk, hm?" You look over to the shy boy. He let out a sigh and then his arms wraps around you. You're quiet a bit surprise seeing him hugs you first. Usually you're the one who hugs him first if he's having a breakdown.
"Let me recharge, senpai.." Yes. You're his source of battery. Being around you or near you giving him energy that will make him last a whole day.
"Sure thing, Tadashi." You ruffles his dark green hair. You can feel his breath tickling your neck. And it's the time. "Okay now, go to sleep-" "No. Wait, don't pull away.. Not yet." He hugs you tighter, not letting you go.
"You're warm, Senpai.. And you look really cute in that pajamas." He whispered to your ears. Causing your face to turns into a blushing mess.
"What the hell Tadashi, when did you learn to sweet talk like this, huh?!" You hit his head lightly.
"Ow! I didn't, i mean it.." the boy green haired boy rubs his head as he snuggles to you.
"I know Tadashi. And it works."
Hey hey hey! FINALLY DONEEE! Oh my enjoy everybody. And remember, stay save!
#haikyuu imagines#haikyuu au#haikyuu!!#hinata shouyou#hinata shoyo headcanons#hq tsukishima#tsukishima kei#haikyuu yamaguchi#yamaguchi tadashi
54 notes
·
View notes
Note
He is very very dear to me and if that means I gotta hyperfocus on him then I guess I gotta hyperfocus on him. And!!! I basically talked to him about how orphanages work, psychologically? And how likely something like Atsushi’s orphanage would be to exist. According to him, an orphanage wouldn’t even have to have particularly abusive or neglectful caretakers to mess with someone who’s been there for a while- Though that certainly wouldn’t help. (Nyanon, 1/6)
Instead, a large part of the problem would probably come from how many children there are- The ratio between them and adults is hardly enough to keep an eye on everyone all the time, after all. This can lead to a kind of... Do you know the book Lord of the Flies? It can lead to a situation a bit like that, albeit not exactly the same- The lack of supervision can cause the children to form their own hierarchies and “rules,” and those lower down on the caste might suffer for it. (Nyanon, 2/6)
It especially isn’t uncommon for there to be a scapegoat- The lowest of the low in the pseudo-caste system, the one who’s forced to take the fall when things go wrong, and the one that others will lash out at and take their anger out on. Speaking of, it’s pretty likely that this was Atsushi’s “role” in the orphanage, especially since the Headmaster focused on him so much. Does that make sense? Hopefully it does! (Nyanon, 3/6)
And yeah, Dazai only calling him senpai when Akutagawa is around is. Fair, and very very in character. He’s a trolling bastard no matter the age. And! Yes yes yes, Dazai slips up once and calls him “Atsushi-kun” and he tries to play it off, maybe? Or maybe he did it on purpose to fluster Atsushi? Either way, this brought to mind Atsushi going from calling Dazai “Dazai-san” (because he’s a polite bean) to eventually “Osamu-san” and Dazai immediately EXPLODES into a blush. (Nyanon, 4/6)
I just. Live for Dazai getting flustered by a Atsushi, haha. Atsushi is great and I would die for him and his unintentional sassiness. Anyways, I’m! Glad you accept other headcanons! Because I have (for the moment) run out of Nyatsushi Concepts! So, let us begin the General Atsushi Concepts: He love love loves Disney movies!!! He never got to watch them, or really knew what they were, as a child, after all. (Nyanon, 5/6)
He knows it might make him seem like a kid, he can’t help to be drawn to thinks that are so... Different? From the environment he was once used to. Also also! I sent you another ask, without identifying who I am. You answered it! Don’t worry about that- But I’m wondering if you can figure out which ask I was before something I’m putting together for you is done~ Here’s a hint: It was answered on October 25th! (Nyanon, 6/6)
Atsushi is very dear to me too uwuwu and oh!!! that makes sense!! with the orphanage system and it’s consequences. AEJKSDS ATSUSHI CALLING DAZAI “Osamu-san” AND DAZAI EXPLODING INTO A BLUSH AAAA (and yes certainly dazai would call atsushi “atsushi-kun” just to see him get flustered but atsushi thinks it’s because dazai is a bastard, which he is,and wants to Challenge atsushi)
I ALSO LIVE FOR DAZAI GETTING FLUSTERED BY ATSUSHIS CUTENESS, i feel like he would just squeeze atsushi so hard, whether in a hug or his cheeks or just smacking his lips on atsushi’s face- or just clutchng his chest.
UWUWUWUWU HE LOVES DISNEEYY MOVIESSS you think he’ll be so fascinated by how horrible their lives were and how then it got turned upside down owo?? like, they found their own prince and lived happily ever after, i think atsushi would relate on their rough childhood part
O H and damn you sent an ask?? well, was it the youtuber au idea?? with dazai making him a castle full of surprises??
7 notes
·
View notes
Text
Nothing upsets me more than a legitimately good story being ruined by “extra” content. I’ve already complained at length about Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon’s story changes over the original games so now it’s The World Ends With You: Final Remix’s “A New Day’s” turn because CHRIST
I’m writing this as I come across points while watching a playthrough, so:
God, Coco is the single most insufferable being. “totez hilar” just dated this content so baaaad, and I’d even say it was dated language when Final Remix came out. No other character abuses modern slang as their entire character. Like, slang is used but not as a substitute for personality. Beat speaks in a very casual, urban style but it never ends up being detrimental to his character as a bit of a punk with a “perfect little sister” that he wasn’t as naturally smart as, so he just gave up on trying and ended up being a bit of an aggressive slacker. Heck, he tones it down a bit for emotional moments, too. Coco, though, comes across like her ultra-modern “cutesy” text message slang is supposed to be her personality, and even when it’s revealed that she’s the villain of the episode you just can’t take her seriously through the “like, ohmigosh, I can’t believe you’re ruining my plaaaaaans” bullshit. What does she have going for her if you rewrite all of her lines without that speaking style? She’s just a generic manipulative brat
Frankly I also just disagree with the entire premise of A New Day and the plot threads it sets up for a potential sequel, i.e. “having Neku and Beat run through a game again as a trap to get Neku into yet another game in a possible sequel.” TWEWY is a complete experience and had been for at least a decade. Literally every character had a complete arc. The worldbuilding was rich enough that they had more than enough to come up with a sequel set in the same world, but in an entirely different town with an entirely new cast and, heck, even entirely new rules for the Game that would’ve expanded upon the world of the games without taking away from the characters whose time in the Underground was already done
But, noooooooo, we’ve gotta bring Neku back. Can’t have a game without Neku they literally SAY THAT (”The Game, like, literally can’t go on without Neku.”). And let’s bring Minamimoto back, too, as a good guy! The fans loved him! This doesn’t come across as pandering at all!
Just... you have the girl with the red headphones designed! Make the sequel set in Shinjuku with her as the main character! (Hell, I don’t think I would have even minded Minamimoto coming back for that because there was enough leeway in the base TWEWY for him to have survived his encounter with Josh, just leave Neku out of it). This is the most infuriating part because it actually takes away from Neku’s story. The entire GAME was a test of character to see if even the worst, most closed off person could learn empathy and respect and Neku DID. And in return, that sparked a change in Josh. His story is done. Coco using Neku, though, has nothing to do with him as a character and everything to do with him being the face of the game and it shows
And why the hell is Neku so trusting of Coco anyway? I get that he opened up over the course of TWEWY, that was kind of the point. But you come back to life, everything’s fine, and then suddenly you’re in a death game again and so is one of your best friends, like, he should be WAY more concerned and suspicious. But one little Reaper gives him the sad eyes and he just caves instantly like “fine, come along.” Even when Neku grew to like some of the Reapers, like Uzuki and Kariya, it was still far more of a rival-like respect. He knew damn well that it was their job to see him gone and while he accepted their help when they gave it and helped them when their lives were in danger (possibly, up to player choice), they weren’t buddy-buddy with each other, knowing that as soon as the immediate danger to them had passed they’d be on opposite sides again. And these are the Reapers he’s closest to, even at the end of the game. And then all of a sudden Coco goes “but I’m a wittle wost baby weaper” and Neku’s response is, “well, shit, welcome to the team.” WHAT
I hate using the term “Mary Sue” but Coco is absolutely a Mary Sue in its original meaning. The plot bends over backwards to accommodate her at the expense of the main characters’ personalities or reason, all while giving her a clothing style incongruous with everyone else’s meant to stand out and make her look special and not having her face any repercussions for her actions (so far which is, again, another issue with the very premise of A New Day since that’s exactly how things will end off if TWEWY doesn’t get a sequel, the possibility of which is not a guarantee AT ALL)
Shiki and Rhyme start saying blatantly false things about themselves and handwaving it away with “ohhh, that must have been our new Entry Fee! Just the exact same ones as the first time again!” and only BEAT is suspicious and NEITHER OF THEM are suspicious of Coco, the only non-generic Reaper they’ve met so far. Christ, I appreciate Beat being attentive with matters of his sister because that’s in-character but NEKU was always the more paranoid AND observant one yet all he thinks about is “gee, I’m sure having weird visions today, huh?”
And then Coco starts BLATANTLY gaslighting them about Kariya and Uzuki’s personalities and they’re STILL not suspicious of her like ughhhhhhhhhhh. Nekuuuuuuu you LIVED THROUGH JOSH WEEK 2, you have BEEN IN A SITUATION where the mastermind partnered up with you to divert your suspicion and keep an eye on you how are you less suspicious of this brat than Beat is???
And why are none of the characters bringing up the fact that you have to be DEAD to be in the Game??? You all spent three weeks of hell to claw your way back to life, how are you not more upset about what seems like you all dying again, basically immediately after you just got brought back? And I know the Shiki and Rhyme in A New Day are illusions, but Neku and Beat AREN’T. Nobody even comments on the implication that they’re dead again and what that means!
I can’t believe they made new expressions for the fake Josh’s changed personality but still refuse to make anything for Shiki’s true appearance
Hell, there’s enough lore with Josh that you could make an entire prequel about him becoming the Composer instead of this mess and, you know, EXPAND on someone’s character and what led to him being so disillusioned with Shibuya as the Composer instead of employing the Happy Ending Rewrite on Neku and then gutting his personality to make Coco the focus. I’d LOVE a Josh prequel with competent writing. Kingdom Hearts made the Xehanort prequel and hooked me in a single chapter with expanded worldbuilding and interesting ties with Xehanort’s character to friends that humanize him, do the same for Yoshiya “Joshua” Kiryu!
Pfffffff hire me and let me make the dream TWEWY trilogy: Joshua prequel > TWEWY sans A New Day > sequel set in Shinjuku starring Red Headphones Girl with Occasional Josh and Hanekoma Interaction
It is so unnecessarily cruel to make Beat relive Rhyme’s erasure and subject Neku to believing that Shiki was erased as well, and yet they do NOTHING with it except have it be cheap tension for five minutes. The characters basically say “wow, I’m so sad!” and then IMMEDIATELY move on to “OMG is Neku seeing the fuuuuuture?” Your LITTLE SISTER and FIRST REAL FRIEND IN YEARS just seemingly died permanently! When Rhyme was erased the first time it took Neku one and a half in-game days to even talk about it because he was so upset, and from then on he was focused on avenging her/bringing her back. Shiki was his entry fee in Week 2 and that made him hyper paranoid the whole time! WHY ARE WE JUST GLOSSING OVER THIS especially since they made SUCH a big deal about how they just finally started believing that the fakes were real (after a whole TWO conversations)
And then at the end they say that they’re inside Coco’s Noise that is SO BIG that it has an ALTERNATE DIMENSION INSIDE IT and Hanekoma’s like “I’ve never met a Reaper POWERFUL enough to make a Noise like this. Wow, Coco, you’re so POWERFUL that even I, an Angel, am impressed!” This. Coming from the guy who specifically chose Minamimoto as his failsafe to kill the Composer should the Game go wrong because a Taboo Minamimoto, heavily refined using forbidden methods, would be strong enough to defeat THE COMPOSER. And he’s now going on about how Coco’s the strongest Reaper ever, basically admitting that she’s probably stronger than the Composer of Shibuya. SURE. BECAUSE COCO WASN’T BAD ENOUGH ALREADY SHE HAS TO BE THE STRONGEST REAPER EVER, TOO
And then it just ends with Josh and Hanekoma exposition dumping about how Shinjuku got erased as Noise entered the RG (WHAT?), Neku’s visions were probably caused by the red headphones girl who’s super special (who???), and Coco’s just so special powerful (why...), but it’s not their problem so fuck it. Oh, and also Josh doesn’t care about Neku anymore, despite that being the whole point of TWEWY. Yeah, the guy who flew off all upset when Hanekoma asked him if he wanted to hang out with his friends at the end of the game. Uh huh. Even if he’s lying, why even put that THERE instead of saving it for the sequel?
And then Coco just... revives Minamimoto. Even though, oh, right, the Taboo Refinery stuff was so precise that the only reason Minamimoto came back the first time was because Hanekoma, THE PRODUCER AND AN ANGEL, set it up for him. But I guess Coco’s just soooooo super powerful and knows FORBIDDEN HIGHER PLANE KNOWLEDGE and can just do whateeeeeever she wants. Not like Hanekoma was so paranoid about someone finding out what he did for Minamimoto that he went into hiding, certain that he’d be reported to the higher Angels and destroyed
A New Day is so painfully shallow from a writing experience. It’s a poor continuation off of the solid, complete TWEWY story experience that just doesn’t have a handle on Neku’s character, turning him into this bland vision machine with no emotional connection to anyone. The way that it expands the worldbuilding with “Inversion” does one thing that I HATE, which is taking an emotion-and-character driven story and turning it into a generic “end of the world” scenario, “raising the stakes” in a way that divorces it from what made it memorable in the first place. If Kitaniji directly effecting the RG during the main Game’s plot was the point where he crossed the line in-universe, then that loses its special nature and impact if you then go “oh, btw, Noise can destroy the RG city if you let them”
And then there’s the absolute black hole of a character that is Coco Atarashi. She wasn’t designed to fit into the world of the game, she was designed to stand out. On its own that’s not a bad thing, especially given the themes of the game that revolve around owning your true self and baring it to the world, but then you combine it with no personality beyond being a manipulative brat obsessed with the events of TWEWY, extremely lazy text message slang dressing up her dialogue to make it stand out, the way that Neku and Beat’s personalities change to accommodate her presence just to shoehorn her in and then have a cheap “omg she was bad” twist, and then dumping powers on par with Josh and Hanekoma on her and there is NO saving her character
The only good part of A New Day is “Wake Up.” And even then, there’s better TWEWY songs, I just like the vaguely Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance vibes it has in parts
#the world ends with you#the world ends with you spoilers#liz's shenanigans#the playthrough i was watching to refresh myself on twewy's story hit a new day and my blood pressure spiked instantly#i have never lost interest in a sequel quite as fast as i did this#i just... how do you fuck up this bad???
11 notes
·
View notes
Text
FIC: Reaction Shots, ch.3 (baon)
Summary: Still in the aftermath of the events of ‘Any Other Tuesday’.
Notes: Time for another POV! This time we are looking from Red’s POV. Yeah, good luck with that. Lookout for the kustard in this one!
Tags: Spicyhoney, Original Undertale Characters, Established Relationship, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Prejudice Against Monsters, Violence, Injury, Prejudice from Police Officers, LV issues, Kustard
part of the ‘by any other name’ series.
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2
~~*~~
Read Chapter 3 on AO3
or
Read it here!
~~*~~
Red
No one could’ve dragged it out of him, not even with pliers, but Red was exhausted and that was a fact.
Didn’t matter, not a fucking jot or tittle. Not like it was the first time he’d gone without sleep. Once this shit was finished, he’d go down but until then? He’d learned years ago how to use his magic to shore him up when he was flagging. Both he and the idiot twins had magic in spades, and if those two never bothered to figure out how to use it right, well, Red wasn’t interested in demonstrating. He had a handle on this.
After he returned the Blueberry’s car, keys left in the ignition for him to bitch about later, Red stopped back at his place for a coupla things. He made a point of walking, even if he was bitchin’ tired. Shortcuts ate up magic and he needed all he could spare. He already had another car lined up to borrow, that was next on his list.
Turned out that choosing not to teleport was a mistake, but what could you do? His hindsight had always needed glasses.
“so where do you think you’re off to?”
Red stopped, briefly closing his sockets.
Sans hadn’t asked permission before coming into his house for a couple months now, not since their little spat.
Spat, yeah, that was a good name for it. More like someone forcing a choice that he hadn’t wanted to make, but Sans…well, Sans was a fucking asshole.
The real problem was that Red had a thing for assholes, hell, he’d mostly raised one. Assholes were handy dandy, so long as they were facing the other way.
Red didn’t need any fucking liabilities, thanks. It was enough of a pain in the ass to look after Edge’s and no matter what Sans said, trying to play it off like it wasn’t like that, didn’t change anything, did it.
That smirking asshole was his own personal albatross and now Red got to lug him around. The bitch of it was, that sometimes? He didn’t even mind.
Today was not one of those fucking times.
He turned, taking in Sans’s lazy sprawl on his sofa, for all the world like he was on the Titanic just waiting to strip off so someone could draw his nudey shot. But see, Red knew better than to believe that shit. Those pale eye lights didn’t miss much, Sans was a shit and an asshole, but he was on the ball.
Where was he off to? Please, like they both didn’t know where he was headed and what he had planned. Sans might not that the details but he knew, same way he knew that Red’s soul was cobwebbed with cracks, LV or no. He saw, like Stretch did. Like Red did.
They always knew too much when they wanted to; only difference was that lately, Stretch didn’t go looking very often. That was honestly okay by Red, kept him out of trouble.
But Sans knew, of course he fucking knew. Only question was whether or not he was gonna let Red play it off. “aw, you worryin’ about me, sweets? i’m heading in to work is all.”
“you can’t kill them.”
Welp, that was a pretty clear no. Red sighed and made a mental note to delete all of his living room recordings. They were locked down with triple redundancies, but no such thing as too careful, now was there.
“can’t?” Red said, lightly. “thought we were pretty clear last time about my cans and can’ts.”
That was the deal they’d settled on with pinkie swears and spitting in palms, the works. They could fuck exclusively, no outside players, and Sans didn’t have to keep it a secret anymore so long as he didn’t hire a sky writer or some shit. But that was it, there was none of that telling each other what to do bullshit, no fuzzy bunnies and matching outfits.
Well. Not more than they already matched, anyway.
Sans didn’t look particularly moved by that, and yeah, none of ‘em liked to break a promise. Didn’t mean they wouldn’t squeeze around it if they could find some wiggle room. “i get the urge, but you gotta let this one play out. last time, i get it. he was threatening a lotta people, that game needed called. these assholes though? it was just a few drunk guys pulling stupid shit.”
“stupid shit?” Red said, low. “that what we’re callin’ attempted murder these days?”
He looked hard at Sans, at that face, similar and yet not to his own. “it wasn’t just a coupla drunk guys, those fuckers aren't even from ebott. they came in from out of town special for this, all ready for dinner and a show. they were lookin’ for a couple of monsters to fuck over.”
Sans didn’t so much as flinch and yeah, that was how Red ended up in his pants to begin with. Stupid fucker, almost suicidal tendencies, really, ‘cause he didn’t get involved until he did, and when Sans was in, you better believe it was for 110%.
“yeah, and you need to stop planning some of your own stupid shit right now,” Sans said, cool as a drink of water. “they need to go to court. it’s shitty, but we need this publicity. i don’t want to wait for someone to get dusted before they actually make attacking monsters a real hate crime, with real consequences.”
“they would have killed stretch. they almost killed andy.”
That was the flat fucking truth of it, didn’t even get into the rest of the trouble it caused. He’d seen the cell phone footage, all of it. None of ‘em had a clear shot of Stretch healing Andy and the ones that came dangerously close were taken care of before they even hit YouTube. That had been the important part, making sure no one with an agenda and any mad scientist tendencies in ‘em got their hands on it…or on Stretch.
They’d all had their fill of that kind of shit, thanks, and the buffet was closed.
“would have. almost. didn’t. you can’t fix this that way. not yet.”
And wasn’t it chuckilicious that Sans was right? Because he was, Red knew he was. Antwan has been busting his balls for months on proposals for the criminality on hate crimes against Monsters, being that it was a fuckton more dangerous than a lil’ human on human action. Humans bled, Monsters died, and that was a fact. This was almost a fucked up blessing in disguise, really, but—
—that wobbly cell phone footage. The kid laying there, bleeding on the ground, the shock on his face, on Antwan’s face, and his bro, the cold fury in his sockets and he had it covered, he did, might have killed those fuckers right there if Stretch hadn't said something and he had LV, would always have LV, he protected what was his, shouldn’t have to but he did, and so did Red…
Sans only sat there like he was waiting on some tea and fucking scones. No pity on that face, no sympathy, only maybe a shred of understanding, but Red got the picture in crystal-clear HD. Sans wasn’t going to let him do anything; he’d put in the effort this time to stop him, and that…would not end well.
It took Red a sec to sort through his internal sarcasm files but in the end, he settled on grudging honesty. “i can’t just sit here.”
Neither of them had the capacity to not smile, but wasn’t nothing stopping their smirks from widening and Sansy’s did. “well, see, i knew that, dollface. why do you think i’m here?”
The way he licked his teeth made a lotta dirty promises and wet dreams seem like a possible raunchy reality.
Wellie, well well. Sans was a shit and an asshole, but he wasn’t half-bad as a distraction, too.
Beneath that bulky hoodie were sleek bones, not quite as stocky as his own, Sans wasn’t a battle-ready model. He was more delicate, more fragile. Almost pretty.
Fucking liabilities.
And as Red pushed Sans down on the sofa, most of his thoughts were on those bones and that mouth doing a damn fine Hoover impression. But there was a dark corner set aside, in the same place that Stretch kept his math brain and Sans kept his tech one. Red’s quirk was planning, yeah, and that never turned off.
All right, so he couldn’t kill them. But what no one could see wasn’t gonna be a problem. A little pain tended to build character and Red was in the mood for a little karmic retribution.
-finis-
#spicyhoney#papcest#keelywolfe#underfell#underswap#underfell papyrus#underswap papyrus#by any other name#kustard
35 notes
·
View notes
Text
Chapter 2: Lost in Sacrificial Fate ~Investigation~
And the first chapter on a blog of its own! The investigation into the 2nd murder is underway, hope you all enjoy! And with the creation of this blog, I’ll probably create profiles for each character so that if anyone (for some reason) finds this blog and wants to read it, knows a little about each character.
-Chapter 2 Investigation, Auditorium-
We all just stood in silence, just staring at Irunami-san’s body. We had all just watched him die in front of us, how the hell was I supposed to process something like that? He was just on stage about to start his act and then all of a sudden…
“He’s not here, is he?” Sly-san looked around the room. “Kurohiko. He’s been missing ever since the act with Kurosaki. He should have heard the body discovery announcement so, where is he?” That’s right, Kurosaki-san joined the audience after his set, but Kurohiko-san still hasn’t showed up. I’ll need to look for him during the investigation.
“Who cares about that guy anyway? What a total loser, right?” Monokuma said. Great. This again. “Ah, that beautiful lack of a scream…it’s such a nice change of pace. Anyway, with this brand-new murder I gotta present you with…the Monokuma File!” Just like before, our E-handbooks all buzzed when Monokuma said that. “Y’know this is gonna be super exciting! I just can’t wait to see how you guys will handle this whole trial!”
“Huh? What does that mean?” I asked.
“Ah, you’ll understand once you get to the class trial, so until then…I’ll see ya later!” And with that, Monokuma vanished.
“First and foremost, who’s going to watch over the body this time around? Last time Irunami and Hachi did it, but obviously that’s not going to be the case for this murder.” Sly-san said.
“I…I still want to watch over Irunami-kun’s body…I don’t think I could focus if I tried to investigate elsewhere…” Hachi-san sounded out their words slowly. Their mask made it hard to tell, but it was obviously hurting them a lot.
“Then I shall stay with Hachi-sama. I plan to perform an autopsy anyway.” Ishikawa-san said. “Please, leave this to me. I will help in whatever way I can.”
“It’s decided then. Hachi and Ishikawa will look over the crime scene. The rest of us should split up and try to find as much evidence as possible. Like last time.” Sly-san instructed. Like last time…first Watanabe-san, and now Irunami-san…how could we let this happen again…?
Investigation Start!
“Okay, the Monokuma File…” I opened up the file on my E-Handbook. The full-body image of Irunami-san showed a pink splotch on his head. That much was expected, so there’s nothing to really not on this page. I scrolled to the second page.
The victim is Sadao Irunami, the Ultimate Hypnotist. His body was discovered in the auditorium at 1:30 pm. The cause of death is blood loss from being struck with a blunt weapon.
This has a little less information than the first Monokuma file, so I’m not sure how useful it’ll really be. Either way, evidence is evidence. I can’t complain.
-
Truth Bullet Added: Monokuma File 2
Cause of death was blood loss caused by being hit by a blunt object.
-
“Let’s have a look then…” I stepped closer to the scene. I watched Ishikawa-san inspecting Irunami-san’s body without much problem. I didn’t want to interrupt her, so it might be easier to ask her later. “This here…is this a stage light…?”
“Right!” Okanaya-kun said with a smirk. “I gathered those from an equipment room backstage. Made the lighting rig myself…but geez, I can’t believe this happened.”
“The lighting rig fell…Okanaya-kun, do you think this could’ve been an accident?” Okanaya-kun seemed a little surprised for a moment. Did I say something weird?
“A-ah, um…I don’t think so. That lighting bar is pretty sturdy, and the cables were secured. I made sure of that last night.” He assured me.
“Well…who was working on the lighting for the show? Maybe it was sabotaged?” I asked.
“Nah. I was the only one working the lights for the show. There’s no way it could’a been sabotaged…so I guess this all bein’ an accident is possible. Though it’s just who caused the accident we’d need to figure out.”
…does he not realise?
-
Truth Bullet Added: Lighting Rig
A bar that held the stage lights above the stage. Came crashing down during Irunami's act
Truth Bullet Added: Cables
The cables that held the lighting rig up. Suddenly gave way during the performance.
Truth Bullet Added: Okanaya-kun’s Account
He was the only one who was working lighting for the show and he made sure the lighting was secure the night before
-
“It’s…odd…” Ram-san whispered. “Nagata-kun, it’s really odd!” She suddenly yelled.
“H-huh? What’s odd?”
“Irunami-kun…I m-mean…the stage outfit Asano-san and I made for him. He isn’t wearing it, and that’s really strange.” She fiddled with the middle part of her hair. Right, Asano-san and Ram-san were in charge of the costumes for the show. If Irunami-san was on stage, it’s odd that he wasn’t wearing his stage costume.
-
Truth Bullet Added: Ram-san’s Account
Irunami had a stage outfit prepared for his set however he was discovered in his regular clothes.
-
“How are you feeling though…? Last time we saw a body you really didn’t handle it well, not that I blame you. Are you feeling well enough to investigate this?” I asked.
“Y-yes…I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all, b-but we have to investigate, or we’ll all be in trouble. Don’t you think…?” Ram-san asked. Was it really necessary to ask something like that? Obviously if we didn’t investigate, we’d jeopardise our lives. “Nagata-kun, what about you? You did a lot of work the last class trial, are you going to be okay if that happens again?”
“I have to be. I’m not particularly special, but I can at least organise everybody else’s thoughts. That’s all I can do right now.” I closed my eyes for a moment. “We’ll work hard and find out the truth of the incident though. Okay?”
“Y-yeah. Okay.” Ram-san smiled weakly. I nodded and looked back at Irunami-san’s body, specifically the spotlight next to him covered in blood.
“I suppose this was the light that struck him when the lightning rig fell.” I said to myself. The light wasn’t attached to the rig, so it probably broke off on impact?
-
Truth Bullet Added: Broken Spotlight
A spotlight not attached to the rig that's covered in blood. Possibly the one that struck Irunami. The glass bulb is cracked but it’s overwise undamaged.
-
“Y’know, he was the most excited about the show…” Hachi-san spoke softly. “It was really Irunami-kun’s idea to have the talent show. Shinko-kun and I just helped him iron out the plan. But now…I should’ve stopped him or something. If I knew this was going to happen…”
“Hachi-san…” I tried to find words to comfort them, but nothing was coming to mind.
“It’s fine. I can focus still. You wanted to ask me something I’m guessing?”
“Actually, yeah. You were next on the list of performers, but when the lightning rig fell you ran past me. So…where exactly were you before the lighting rig fell?”
“Oh, I was in the audience. Irunami-kun’s final trick needed me to be in the audience, but he wouldn’t tell me what the trick was. He just told me that I’d know what to do when I saw it.” Hachi-san explained. “Come to think of it…Irunami-kun was acting weird ever since the motive got revealed. I can’t explain it, but he’s just been…off…organising the talent show, deciding who was in what group, making me host magic classes…”
“That’s a lot to absorb in one go…so he decided the groups, huh? And…magic classes?” I asked.
“Yeah. Irunami-kun said it would be worth my time teaching the special effects team one of my magic tricks. It was a wind trick. Though a pretty big number of the group showed up, guess they really wanted to learn from the best.” Hachi-san explained. Irunami-san did all of that…?
-
Truth Bullet Added: Hachi-san’s Account
Hachi was in the audience to help with Irunami-san's finishing trick but even they didn't get to find out what it was. Irunami had been acting strange since the motive reveal, organising the groups for the talent show and creating the magic classes.
Truth Bullet Added: Hachi-san’s Magic Lessons
Hachi-san was teaching magic classes to the special effects group in the days leading up to the performance including a wind trick that they were known for. A large portion of the group, even outside the SFX team showed up.
-
-Chapter 2 Investigation, Backstage-
Past the wings, I came to the backstage area which was a hallway with different dressing rooms situated along it. I counted 7 dressing rooms in total. “Jesus fucking Christ…” Shinko-san cursed, standing over an odd-looking machine.
“Shinko-san? Is something wrong…?”
“It’s the fog machines. Remember how much fog was on stage during Irunami’s set? That was way too much than what we’d use in the rehearsals, so I thought I’d check out the fog machines, but it looks like this one got broken when the stupid lighting rig fell.”
“Right, it was so foggy that we could barely see Irunami-san past it all.” I murmured. “What else can you tell me about the fog machines?”
“Not much else. They have different intensities; low, medium, and high. We had then set up in the wings so none of the fog would spread outside of the stage. They were supposed to be for Hachi’s act, but they turned on during Irunami’s instead. Maybe someone fucked up the timing of it.” Considering what just happened, I’m kind of glad for the fog.
-
Truth Bullet Added: Fog Machines
Several were set up in both wings offstage. They were to be used in Hachi's act, but were turned on early in Irunami's act
-
“By the way, Shinko-san when you were called up to the stage at the start of Irunami-san’s act…didn’t you say something to the effect of that not being the first time it happened.” I asked. Shinko-san took a moment and frowned.
“If I’m honest, it’s been bothering me for a while. I know Irunami’s a professional but his rehearsal and actual performance up until the lighting rig dropped were pretty much identical, word-for-word.” Word for word? It’s not impossible, but it sounds a little weird…
“What was the rehearsal process like?”
“Not too exciting. Basically, mostly Irunami and Hachi practicing what they’re gonna say and blocking their tricks and shit. Irunami recorded all the stuff he did so he could watch it back later and see if there was anything he needed to fix.” Shinko-san explained. That was a lot of information, but I’ll just need to do my best to remember it.
-
Truth Bullet Added: Shinko-san’s Account
Irunami’s act up until the lighting rig dropping was word-for-word the same as rehearsals. During the rehearsal process Irunami and Hachi took up the time blocking their tricks and recording them for future reference.
-
-Chapter 2 Investigation, Under the stage-
I wandered down a set of stairs that were backstage after saying my goodbyes to Shinko-san. I came to a dusty area filled with various junk from props to costumes to speakers though it was proving hard to see with how dark it was down here. They must use the area under the stage for storing the stuff they’re using for the show. I look around until I found a light-switch, flicking it the room was lit very dimly but I could at least see better.
As I ventured further into the room, inspecting the small bits here and there…that’s when it happened. Behind a box…I found him.
“KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! DON’T KILL MEEEEEEEE!!!!” I jumped back in surprise as Kurohiko-san screamed in fear.
“K-Kurohiko-san?! Is this where you’ve been…?”
“H-huh…? Nagata-san? Oh, thank god it’s only you…” He let out a sigh of relief. ‘only’?
“What are you doing here?”
“A-ah…wh-when I heard that crash and then the body discovery announcement, I got really scared…I thought the killer might’ve been on a spree and trying to just kill everyone off.” So, he hid. What a troublesome guy… “Sorry, I probably worried everybody, huh…”
“Don’t apologise.” It took me a while to notice, but…Kurohiko-san’s outfit…
“A-ah, right. I’m still wearing my stage outfit, I know.” Luckily it was changed from what Hachi-san had made them wear that first day of rehearsal. “After I came off-stage with Kurosaki-san, I left to find my normal clothes, but I couldn’t find them anywhere. I still don’t know where they went…geez, why does it always have to be me?!” Kurohiko-san’s clothes went missing, huh?
“Well…where did you leave them?”
“On the costume rack.” Kurohiko-san pointed to the costume rack in the corner of the room. “When I couldn’t find them I decided to look around the wings to see if one of the other racks had them.”
“You would’ve needed to cross backstage to go to both wings. Did you see anyone during that time?”
“Other than Okanaya-san who was working lights? No…well, I passed Amaterasu-san as well. She seemed frantic for some reason.” Amaterasu-san? Frantic?
-
Truth Bullet Added: Kurohiko-san’s Account
After coming off from the performance, he found that his clothes had went missing. He started searching around for them by checking the other costumes racks in the wings. During that time he saw Okanaya in the wings and Amaterasu walking around.
Truth Bullet Added: Costume Rack
Everybody's costumes for the show were left here. They were left under the stage.
-
I started to look around the area properly now with Kurohiko-san present to turn to in case I need to ask about something. I found a contraption resembling a lift. One wooden panel with a circular frame on each side of it. “Hey, Kurohiko-san? Do you know what this is?”
“Hmm? Oh! It’s the trap door. If you hit a switch them this panel on the bottom will be switched out with the panel on the stage. Pretty cool, right? It’s like everything in the auditorium is controlled via remote control! I think Irunami-san was planning to use it…before…” A trap door…
-
Truth Bullet Added: Trap Door
A lift that alternates between two panels underneath the stage. Activated by pressing a button.
-
Sitting around the back of the room was a toy car. It was a model I’d seen before when I played with my toys in elementary school, but what was it doing under the stage.
“That’s it!” Kurohiko-san suddenly exclaimed. “That toy car is the thing that Amaterasu-san was looking for earlier! It’s so awesome!”
“Why was Amaterasu-san was looking for a toy car?”
“It was part of her act. Whilst she sang to the audience, this car was supposed to drive around and pickpocket the audience without anyone realising. I saw her practicing with it earlier. Seems like its well equipped with a robotic arm so it can grab what it needs to.” Kurohiko-san explained. Even if she’s the Ultimate Thief, this seems a little too far…and where did she even get this?!
-
Truth Bullet Added: Remote Control Car
Was part of Amaterasu-san's act but she never got to use it. Equiped with a claw so it can pickpocket people while Amaterasu-san distracts them.
-
The last suspicious thing I noticed was nearer the trap door. A life-sized plush doll was lying on the floor. It was dressed in some kind of flashy outfit I recognised. It was the costume Ram-san had made for Irunami-san.
“You curious about the dummy? We used it as practice for the dangerous stunts like Kurosaki-san’s knife throwing and a few of Irunami-san and Hachi-san’s tricks.” I inspected the dummy closer, finding a tear at the base of the back of the dummy’s neck.
“Did you actually ever damage the dummy?”
“Don’t think so. Kurosaki-san’s pretty good with those knives so I don’t think he ever actually hit the dummy.” Then where did this tear come from?
-
Truth Bullet Added: Dummy
Used during rehearsals to practice the more dangerous stunts. The one underneath the stage has a tear on it.
-
-Chapter 2 Investigation, Irunami’s Dressing Room-
According to the name plaque on the door this was Irunami-san’s dressing room. For such an immature guy, this place is pretty orderly. There was a desk with a large mirror on the wall it was set against, the desk was covered with what I had to guess was stage makeup. Asano-san and Yokozawa-san were already in the room when I arrived.
“Nagata-kun, good timing. You won’t believe what Asano-san and I found.” Yokozawa-san held up a device that seemed to resemble a small cannon. “It was just chilling back here, and I thought it was suspicious. Turns out its something really cool!”
“Something cool?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Shinko-kun described it as a device like an air cannon that shoots out pressurised air. Irunami-kun was supposed to use one for his act that would be used to launch him into the air.”
“I-it’s that strong?!”
“Yeah! How cool would it have been to see that?! Just hit this power button and it builds up pressure and releases. It sucks we didn’t get too see it.” Yokozawa-san sighed. I think its worse that Irunami-san died but call me a buzzkill, I guess.
-
Truth Bullet Added: Air Cannons
A cannon that shoots pressurised air after building it up for a while. Has enough power to blast someone into the air. Irunami was supposed to use it in his act.
-
“Asano-san, what about you? Have you found or saw anything important?” I turned to Asano-san who seemed to smile slightly at the question.
“I am very glad you asked me. I feel as though I may have important information that could direct us towards the killer.” I seriously had to ask her to give us important information?! This girl… “When we were all in the audience, I took note of everybody around us at the time and just before the lighting rig fell the only people missing were Kurohiko-san, Okanaya-san, and Amaterasu-san.” A list of possible suspects?!
“Asano-san, I’m really glad you told me, but I shouldn’t have needed to ask you for that information. Would you have really kept it to yourself if I never asked?”
“Apologies if I upset you. I am only ever allowed to speak when other speak to me first.” Asano-san bowed apologetically.
“You’re not getting my point. If you have something to say, then you should say it. Your parents aren’t here, so you should be making decisions for yourself.” The idea seemed to visibly shock Asano-san. “Don’t worry so much. You see us all make our own decisions plenty of times, just do what you want to do…”
“What…I…want to do…?” Asano-san repeated. “W-w-well…I was thinking about the case as a whole…I feel as though that we should note certain things about the acts previous to Irunami-san’s act.”
“Huh?”
“I just…feel as though it’s important. Recall for Kurosaki-san’s act that several people were working lighting down in front of the stage. Myself, Yokozawa-san, and Ram-san were working the lights from the audience shining up to the stage whilst Okanaya-san was working in the wings.” Is this what they call women’s intuition…? “And for Shinko-san’s filming, those working on the film were busy the whole rehearsal times. Those people being Hachi-san, Ishikawa-san, myself, Sly-san, and naturally Shinko-san.”
“Whoa…Asano-san, you should speak up more often.” Yokozawa-san said. Yeah, no kidding…
-
Truth Bullet Added: Asano-san’s Account
From Asano-san's observations, at the time of the murder Kurohiko-san, Okanaya-san, and Amaterasu-san were the only ones missing from the audience.
Truth Bullet Added: Kurosaki-san’s Set
Kurosaki-san had several people working lighting down front for his set. Including Asano-san, Ram-san, Yokozawa-san, and Okanaya-kun. He also had Kurohiko-san on stage to help him out.
Truth Bullet Added: Shinko-san’s Filming
The filming took the last few days to create. Hachi-san, Ishikawa-san, Asano-san, and Sly-san were all working on it with Shinko-san.
-
I began poking around the room and my eyes landed on the costume rack. It had a bag that I’ve seen tailors put suits in. Irunami-san’s stage clothing was on that dummy though, so what’s in here…? I unzipped the bag and a familiar outfit tumbled to the ground. “Those are Kurohiko-kun’s clothes, aren’t they?” Yokozawa-san asked.
He mentioned that his outfit had went missing, so it ended up here…I inspected the clothes closer and found small splatters of blood on the shirt. Could this blood…?
-
Truth Bullet Added: Kurohiko-san’s Clothes
Kurohiko-san's clothes he was wearing before Kurosaki-san's set. Found in Irunami-san's dressing room with blood on them.
-
I looked at the mirror and saw a piece of paper taped to it. It was the rehearsal schedule that we all agreed to at the start of all this work. We’d start at 9 in the morning after breakfast and then we’d finish at 9 at night so we could chill a little before night-time. I suppose its not a bad thing if I keep note of this.
“Shinko-kun was pretty uptight about sticking to the schedule. Had to be here sharp, hard to leave sharp. He even locked the doors. What a guy, seriously.” Yokozawa-san commented. Keys again. Shinko-san and keys.
-
Truth Bullet Added: Rehearsal Schedule
A schedule posted around the building for all the people working on the talent show to see. We would always finish work at 9pm.
-
-Chapter 2 Investigation, Auditorium 2-
I arrived back at the auditorium to find a select few still present. Naturally Hachi-san and Ishikawa-san were still watching over the crime scene, but Graves-san and Kurosaki-san were here as well. It could probably pay to talk to them as well.
“Ishikawa-san, have you finished your autopsy yet?” I walked over to the thanatologist.
“Indeed. I’m quite pleased with my work this time around. As the Monokuma File said, the cause of death was indeed the blow to the head, however I also found that this wound was the only one Irunami-sama has. No signs of fighting back, and no second injuries.” Just the fatal blow.
-
Truth Bullet Added: Ishikawa-san’s Autopsy
There are no signs of a struggle on Irunami's body, and the fatal wound was the only one present.
-
I walked over to Graves-san who was covered with dust patches, just where had see been? “Graves-san? Have you found out anything interesting?”
“Oh, you wouldn’t believe it! I was thinking that there might be evidence somewhere weird so I decided I would search the ventilation system. I crawled around there a whole bunch and found it goes through the whole building! Every floor, every room!” That explains the dust on her outfit. “Of course, I’m gonna have to wash all of this after the trial. I didn’t even find evidence, but I had fun!”
“I suppose that’s important?” Was it?
-
Truth Bullet Added: Vent System
Goes throughout the whole building. Every floor and every room according to Graves’ investigation.
-
And finally,…him. “Kurosaki-san-“
“Nagata-kyun! Perfect timing~!” Kurosaki-san held out two pieces of paper. “I made these for the investigation, I felt like they were important to note!” Huh…?
“These are…the production team jobs and the show line-up? You made note of this stuff, of all thing…?”
“If the killer is so who I think it is then we’ll need this. Just trust me on this, I’m sure it’ll come in handy.” Kurosaki-san smiled. Kurosaki-san was really helpful in the last trial, but his attitude still creeps me out…but information is information. It can’t hurt to know this stuff.
-
Truth Bullet Added: Talent Show Line-up
Each act was on for 20 minutes - 30 minutes. There were five acts, Kurosaki, Shinko, Irunami, Hachi, Amaterasu
Truth Bullet Added: Job List
Perfomers: Hachi, Kurosaki, Shinko, Hokama, Irunami.
Tech Crew: Graves, Okanaya, Kurohiko, Kurosaki, Yokozawa.
Costumes & Props: Ram, Asano, Kurohiko, Nagata.
Special Effects: Hachi, Ishikawa, Sly, Okanaya, Shinko.
-
~Ding dong, dong ding~
The monitor turned on. “Alright, I feel like I’ve given you all plenty of time! Meet at the red door like before and we can get this class trial underway!” The monitor turned off.
…the class trial…we have to go back there.
-Chapter 2 Investigation, Class Trial Grounds-
Once we had all gathered, Monokuma instantly appeared before us. “Good good, everybody showed up! I’m glad I didn’t have to drag that stupid idiot Kurohiko here!”
“H-hey!”
“Anyway, everyone should hurry into the elevator and I’ll meet you at the trial grounds! I just can’t wait to get started~!” And no sooner, Monokuma vanished and the elevator door opened. There was a moment of hesitation before Sly-san, Amaterasu-san, and Kurosaki-san walked into the elevator confidently.
“Everyone…I want to find Irunami-kun’s killer…” Hachi-san’s voice had a sudden grit to it; I was almost taken aback. “No matter what, I can’t let the killer escape, I won’t let it happen so please…let’s work together and find the killer.” Without another word, they stepped onto the elevator.
“Oi, Nagata…did you find anything out?” Okanaya-san asked.
“I’m not sure. I have a lot of evidence but putting it together might be a little difficult. So, I’ll be relying on you and everyone else. Please, do your best as well, okay?” I smiled.
“Yeah, you can count on me!” Okanaya-san nodded. “You too, Ram! We’ll be counting on you as well!”
“H-huh?! A-alright then! I’ll do my best!” Ram-san, caught of guard agreed without really knowing what was just said. Then we all stepped onto the elevator and took it down to the trial room. When we got off the elevator, the room had completely changed from last time. Instead of the simple red carpets, the whole room was decorated like a stage at an awards ceremony. Lights all focusing on the circle of podiums where Irunami-san’s and Kibe-san’s portraits were now added alongside Watanabe-san’s.
Watanabe-san…sorry we ended up here again.
“Alright everyone! Take your places and get ready for the trial to begin!” We did as we were told, a little less hesitation than before and stood ready for the trial…
Sadao Irunami, the Ultimate Hypnotist. In both appearance and in nature, he was a kid that was always joking around. He was a bundle of energy who could brighten up the whole room, not to mention he seemed to genuinely care about us all…someone like Irunami-san...was murdered.
“Ram”
Yuuki Kurosaki
Doi Kurohiko
Saori Kibe
Amaterasu Hokama
And that killer…they’re someone in this room.
Sly
Karma Graves
Junpei Yokozawa
Maemi Watanabe
Kobo Okanaya
Tomoe Hachi
For Irunami-san’s sake, we need to uncover who it is and survive!
Mami Asano
Toson Shinko
Sadao Irunami
Tsukiko Ishikawa
Ryuu Nagata
And so, the battle between Hope and Despair…the class trial…begins!
5 notes
·
View notes
Text
Jealousy- Chapter2 (Goro Akechi x reader)
Wooh here’s the part 2 thats overdue, watch me decide to make this 20 chapters long lmafo
ooh ooh warning- the events in chapter 2 and onwards are cannon to the actual game meaning Akechi is...
chapter 1 can be thought of as part of this, or as a separate fic where Akechi hasn’t done...things...
spoilers ahead
-mod goro
Makoto took a deep breath, pulling herself fully upright as she brought the microphone to her mouth, “Well then, we will now begin today’s panel. Our guest of honor is Goro Akechi.”
A bright spotlight reigned down on the detective in center stage, who gestured with his gloved hand, smiling. “I feel kind of bad considering how many people have gathered....I’m sure you all would’ve been happier to have a singer or mascot appear, wouldn’t you say?”
The crowd laughed, as Makoto continued, with more confidence. “We’d appreciate it if you could tell us about your experiences with the notorious Phantom Thieves.” She copied Akechi, turning up charm to the max and lathering on her words like honey, “It’d be wonderful if you could let us hear more about your actual investigative process.”
Akechi leaned on the podium in front of him, not one to lose he put on his own sweet-tooth smile. “I’m not used to being the one interrogated...so please go easy on me.”
Once again, the crowd laughed, Akechi had a way with people you knew that for sure.
“...How much do you think he knows.” Ann whispered to your group, up in the rafters. Below sitting in the crowd you could see the floofy hair of Haru and the blazing head of orange hair that was Futaba, sitting in her same frog-crouched position. The two had managed to grab two seats in the packed auditorium- Goro Akechi had literally sold out the gym. Ann had managed to snag a key to the rafters from a male who worked for the drama club, the 5 of you creeping quietly as to not attract any attention- it was highly likely the rafters were off-limits, that didn’t stop you all from positioning yourself with a good view of the stage. she nearly throttled Ryuji when he tripped on the stairs, causing the smack of metal against skin to vibrate throughout the hall. Luckily, with how loud the gym was at the time and how focused everyone was looking on stage, waiting for Akechi to show, you all managed to sneak up without being spotted.
“Either he has an idea who the true culprit is, or...he has uncovered the identities of the Phantom Thieves.” Yusuke mumbled,
Ryuji leaned on the railing, beside Ann. Apparently they didn’t care about being seen anymore. “C’mon Makoto....! You gotta get it outta him....!”
Yes, Makoto was under a lot of pressure. She was tasked with prying information about the phantom thieves out of Akechi, despite that fact that you were a friend of Akechi, you wouldn’t want to go head to head with him in a situation like this- this was his stage.
“As much as you’re allowed to say, would you tell us how far along your investigation is on them?” Makoto continued.
“Getting right to the point, I see.” Akechi commented.
You made a slight ‘tsk’ sound. Akechi was cocky, and pointed out every single thing Makoto did and why, just in a different, roundabout way.
You had a bad feeling, thing’s weren’t going to end well.
“Well, if it’s as much as I’m allowed to say, then everything on TV and the internet is all of it. We don’t have any leads yet, and the methods behind their crimes are still unclear.”
“I see...Even with this country’s power, arresting them is proving to be difficult....is that the case?” Makoto asked.
Akechi turned it over in his mind. “I wouldn’t phrase it that way...but well, something like that.”
“Something like that my ass.” you growled. The police had nothing, you knew that for a fact. If, and only if, they had something- it would have to be from Akechi.
For that one, one reason, because of his one comment.
“Thank you for answering that question.” Makoto hummed, voice sweet like a child’s. Alright, at the very least you all know that the police can’t arrest the thieves at the moment, without fabricating piles of evidence and having fake witnesses. “...By the way, it seems you’ve denied a correlation between the Phantom Thieves and the murders...Why the sudden change? Until now, haven’t you upheld your stance that the Phantom thieves are dangerous? How are you so positive that they haven’t committed murder?”
Akechi breaks into his TV- oriented smile. “Aren’t you a little too comfortable interrogating people? Why, it’s as if you’re a prosecutor.” An attempt to derail the conversation and also stabbing at the fact that she’s acting like her obviously corrupted-sister. A disguised low blow.
The crowd laughed, god they must be tired of it by now.
Makoto flushed slightly, embarrassed and a twinge of bitterness making her brow crease in the slightest as she closed her eyes. “Ah, excuse me. This is something I’ve personally been interested in so I couldn’t help it...” She opened her eyes, focusing on Goro. “But won’t you tell us...?”
‘Atta girl Makoto, keep up the heat.
“What reason is there that you’d claim their innocence when you previously stated they were unjust?”
Akechi turned to the audience for the first time since the interview started. “Every person whose heart they changed have truly been criminals, including Okumura. Why then, was he the only one who needed to be killed?”
“Why is that?” Makoto smiled, throwing the question back at him. That was the best way to do it, never put in your statement, just keep asking the same things out of the person to avoid them trying to interrogate you.
It was like watching two lions fight. Makoto and Goro both looking for the other to slip up and to gain the upper-hand.
Akechi looked forlorn, “I must admit...I couldn’t deduce a reason. That’s why I believe that case should be through of as if a different party is responsible.”
He leaned back off of the podium, the same natural look plastered on his face, “And if- This is all hypothetical, mind you, If the Phantom Thieves are the ones I know of, I can’t possible imagine they would kill anyone.”
A cry of shock rang throughout the auditorium, you felt a stone drop in your stomach. Down below you saw Futaba’s hair whip towards Akechi. Beside you, Yusuke tightened the grip on his arm, gnawing on his lip.
Makoto, startled, stuttered back into character. “Y-your comment just now...Does this mean the police have already identified who they are?”
“Dammit, fuck!” you felt like punching the wall. If this conversation continued...
Akechi frowned, but you knew he was really smiling, he realized it too, Makoto had fallen into his trap. “Oh, no. The police haven’t gotten that far yet.”
He paused, to let the audience laugh, before turning to look directly at those standing in the rafters.
“But I have my own conclusions about the true identities of the Phantom Thieves.”
Your blood ran cold.
“He’s gotta be bluffin’!” Ryuji barked, slamming his hands on the railing.
Ann smacked his arm, “Pipe down!”
Haru and Futaba were huddled together, mumbling. Makoto had a dear-in-headlights look, her brain frantically trying to say something that could steer the conversation off course.
Akechi smiled, barely hiding pride. The lion was defeating the lioness. “You’re not going to ask me who they are...?” He asked oh-so-innocently. At this point he was just daring her to try him. ‘Do it, weren’t you so confident in getting information out of me? Where did that honey-like smile go?’
“He’s just playing her like a fiddle.” you mumbled to yourself. It was hard to believe this was the same guy who less than 24 hours ago, was talking in the courtyard with you about being friends, how he wanted to be friends, how he wasn’t used to being friends with people.
You wonder how much of it was fake, could be fake.
Ann gripped the railing so hard it made a noise.
“...it may have repercussions on the investigation. Are you sure you can share that with us?” Makoto was not even trying to hide her glare. She was frustrated.
Akechi raised his chin, “It’s only my personal opinion, so announcing that here wouldn’t pose a problem.”
“However....” He continued.
While looking at Makoto, his eyes momentarily drifted back again towards the rafters, he locked eyes with you for a moment and you help your breath until he looked away.
“...There is a possibility that everyone present will hear the truth before the police or media...
“The truth...?” Ann whispered, fear lacing her words.
Makoto huffed,“That’s quite the confidence you have....if you’re so certain...then very well....”
She took a breath, steeling herself. Once she asks this, there was the high probability Goro would call her out right then and there, in front of the crowd. If that happened she needed to be ready, to act, to deal with the situation in any means necessary.
Her last words, before, now that you look back on it, was the last moment before you would pretend that everything was okay, that you could continue attempting cracking the ice-tough detective without any fears of something sinister hiding underneath Goro Akechi’s mask.
She opened her mouth.
“I’d like to ask you then: Who do you think the Phantom Thieves are, Akechi-san?”
Akechi-san, the lioness is wounded is trying her best to soften the blow she know will kill her.
“That, idiot!” Ryuji hissed.
“No, Ryuji,” You murmured, tugging his arm. “She had no choice, you have to know that.”
He met your eyes, you and Ryuji had been through a lot- being your first friend since you got to Shujin, besides Ann, and eventually Akira. He respected you, unlike Ann who he always bickered with, he always tried his best to please you. Taking you out to eat, friendly talks between classes- nothing there was ever implied to be more than friends, and you both were okay with that.
He sighed, rubbing his eyes with his palm, he’s just scared, and you know that, understand that.
“No...there’s no way he could have any evidence.” Yusuke mumbled in terror.
You’re not so sure you believe that now.
“They’re people you all know quite well.” Akechi started. “The identity of the Phantom Thieves are-”
Almost comically and to the relief of your group, Akechi’s phone rang.
He pulled it out, “Oh, it’s mine. I apologize for the interruption, but I can’t turn off my phone due to my job....would you mind if I step away for about...ten minutes or so...?”
“I’m terribly sorry, everyone, but we’ll be taking a break.” Makoto said, trying to keep the relief out of her voice. “We’ll resume the panel in ten minutes.”
Akechi pocketed his phone, grinning. “Please don’t troll me online for this interuption, ok?”
For some reason, you felt the strong urge to go online and do just that.
Akechi bowed, and then walked over to Makoto. The two of them exchanged a few words. Akechi moved behind the girl, whispering something in her ear.
For some reason, you felt the hairs on your arm stand up, your teeth clench tighter.
Makoto gave Akechi a side-eye glare, biting her lip before the two disappeared behind the curtain.
“H-hey, it’s Makoto.” Ann mumbled, motioning to the IM app on her phone. You checked on your own as well,
Makoto, 2:47pm: P.E faculty office. Now. Everyone.
“Dammit!” Ryuji mumbled, rubbing his head. “It’s that damn Akechi!”
“What should we do...?” Ann murmured in a trance-like state.
Akira, who hadn’t said anything since the panel started, finally spoke up. “I think, we should be on guard.”
Yusuke shivered, the lanky boy had probably burned all of his calories out of fear by now.
Below you, Haru and Futaba were squeezing past people in the rows to get out of the gym.
“We only have 10 minutes, we should hurry.” Akira said. Yusuke, Ann and Ryuji all hurried down the stairs, legs shaking. You stayed behind to wait for Akira, who was still standing, looking at the stage, the gleam from his glasses hid most of his face.
“Kurusu...?” You called out. He snapped his head towards you. “We should go.”
“Right.” He nodded, following you down the stairs, pushing the double doors and out into the blinding light of the sun.
---
Akechi slapped down three photos on the table. From the cries of Haru and Ryuji, you knew the plan of ‘trying not to look suspicious while Akechi interrogates us’ flew out the window with any other logical thoughts.
“Please, let’s not feign ignorance.” Akechi purred. Goddammit did his voice find a way into your blood, you shivered again. “All of you can go to that other world too, yes?”
Akira stepped up, as the leader, picking up his broken team in his own hands. “What do you mean, ‘us too’?”
Akechi smiled, “It’s not just all of you. I am aware of that world too...”
Hidden behind a stack of boxes, you could see the tuffs of Morgana’s fur. He was sleeping on the grass while the panel was going on (Ryuji almost stepped on his tail while rushing out of the gym) and you all informed him of what had happened on the way to the office.
“What? He was about to reveal the identities of the phantom thieves?” Morgana’s tiny voice cried, running to keep up with everyone power-walking.
“Yeah, now we’re in deep shit.” Ryuji cursed, trying to calm his nerves.
“Well, what’s done is done, all we can do is try to either play dumb or work out a deal.” Akira mumbled.
Morgana’s tail twitched, left to right and back again.
“I found out about that world a month ago.” Aekchi stated, pulling his phone to show the currant-red eye of the Navigation app. “This had been installed onto my phone without my knowledge.”
You winced, Akira hummed, Morgana’s tail flicked up, once.
You sincerely, sincerely, sincerely hoped you were wrong, but even so, you can’t hide the fact that the evidence is looking right at you in the face.
No one else, except for 3 out of the group seem to have realized it.
Ryuji rolled his arm, grabbing his shoulder, as if he was going to fight. “We’ve been listenin’ to you blab on for a while now, but cut the delusional-”
Akechi shut him down promptly, “All of you are acting as Phantom Thieves in the Metaverse. I can say so with conviction because I have the same power as you.”
Everyone was quiet and tense for a moment, no one no knowing or wanting to say anything.
“That’s right.” Akira spoke up, his hands taken out of his pockets. “And what now?”
“So, you don’t deny it then.” Akechi hummed. “To be honest, I’ve been curious about you since the time of the Madarame case.”
“We didn’t kill anyone!” Haru gave a shrill cry. Of course she’d feel the need to say that, it was her own father that was killed after all.
“I believe that, as well.” Akechi confirmed. He seemed like he was telling the truth, at least.
Makoto cradled her hands nervously, “How can you be so sure?”
And Akechi was willing to answer that as well.“Because I saw another- the real culprit.”
Instantly, everyone in the group recoiled. Shock and fear turned into anger, this was the person that was framing the Phantom Thieves, intentionally or not, for murder.
Akechi hushed any outcries. “I couldn’t identify his face...he had a mask on, after all.”
“He?” You questioned, speaking Akechi for the first time since the day before. “So you know this person is a male.
Akechi winced, it was so small that it only looked as if his eye was twitching but it was there nonetheless, then collecting himself, answered. “Yes, from his figure I could assume it was male.”
He cradled his head, face scrunched as the retold his story. “Actually, when I took these photos, I entered that world too. That’s when I saw someone else moving about, besides all of you....He shot at me the moment he noticed me.”
Yusuke folded his arms, shifting his position. “That’s who killed president Okumura?”
Akechi removed his hand, nodding. “Most likely. At the very least, I was almost killed by him...’I can’t die here, I need to determine the truth.’ When those thoughts overcame me, I awakened to that power- a most fortunate accident.”
And all this happened, a month ago.
“This guy has a persona too...?” you heard Morgana mumble from his position behind the boxes.
Akechi jolted, his eyebrows raised up past the edges of his fringe. “This cat...”
Morgana’s tail shot up in astonishment.
Goro shook his head. “I-i swear it just.....talked....!”
Ann spoke up, words flowing out of her in a rushed breath. “Morgana. Our teammate who taught us about the Metaverse.”
Akechi recoiled, before slowly returning, even closer to inspect Morgana. It slowly became more and more difficult to stop yourself from laughing- Goro always acted polished, calm and collected at all times. But when something threw him off guard he’d always try really really hard to keep his cool, though he wasn’t very good at it, to your humor.
“Really...? This is unbelievable...” He murmured. “But it is true that you know things that I don’t...”
He cleared his throat, collecting himself to be the TV celebrity he was. “Say, Morgana. Were you also the one who instructed them on how to change people’s hearts?”
Morgana saw no need to stay in hiding he jumped up on the boxes. “We go in the Metaverse- we call them palaces- to steal the core of their desires: their treasure, those who’s treasure are stolen have a change of heart.
Word jumble that you’ve heard what is it...one two- this is this 6th time now. You extended your arm out to Morgana, his ears flicked forward as he carefully climbed up your arm and came to a rest on your shoulder.
You scratched under Morgana’s chin, causing him to purr. You (Besides Haru, Futaba and maybe Ann if she tried) could pet Morgana like this, like he was an actual cat. Akechi’s eyes met yours for the third time that day, he looked away quickly.
“...Ah, hahaha...” He chuckled, rubbing his face dejectedly . “There’s certainly no way anyone could figure out such an MO...”
“Anyways!”Ryuji couldn’t take how slow the conversation was moving at, his foot tapping against the tile with vigor.“Back to what you were talkin’ about! Are we in this mess ‘cause of that guy?!”
Akechi turned to Joker, your leader, speaking to the group.
You only half-focused on that , you kept running the calculations in your head, making sure what you were assuming was right. Morgana noticed, hissing(literally).
“Hey, are you listening, what he said was important.”
“Yeah.” You mumbled back, ruffling his fur. He yelped, along with Ryuji and Ann both freaking out over blackmail and the threat with being arrested.
Akira sighed, removing his glasses to rub the grime from the lenses. “You’re asking a lot.”
Akechi frowned in return. “I see...I don’t think it’s a bad deal though....well.” he smiled, one that seemed to spring naturally from his mouth. “Considering this is you we're talking about. I believe you’ll come to a favorable reply.
The smile was short lived, it was quickly replaced with 100% pure synthetic Akechi smile in a short second. “I’m glad we could talk. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to spend such a meaningful time like this.”
His words were meant to be ones of praise, but to you they just felt like slaps to the face. As if he was implying his time with you had been-
Meaningless.
‘This line of thought meaningless’ you thought.
“We should be getting back.” Akechi pointed out, observing his phone. He spoke to Makoto, brows furrowing in regret. “About that...I’m sorry, would it be acceptable if we ended the panel here...?”
Then he broke into a smile fitting for a cat like Morgana. “The reason why you called for me in the first place was because you wanted Intel,correct?” He seemed passive-aggressive towards Makoto and from the look he gave him back, you assumed this would be another ongoing thing, like Ryuji and Morgana, great.
Another tally for Akechi, he’s winning against the Phantom Thieves 1000-1.
“Ill deal with it somehow.” She finally said, seeming relieved to just be done with the situation. She held her hands, when you looked down you noticed- they were shaking.
Makoto Nijima was just as scared as everyone else.
Akechi walked past the group,not bothering to formally conclude things, or maybe he just didn’t know how to.
He stopped to whisper in your ear on the way out, “I look forward to your answer.”
Morgana’s fur bristled, you locked eyes with Akechi, hoping to get some reason or clue from his eyes, anything that might change your mind-
Nothing, absolutely wiped and blank.
He left the room.
Ryuji stomped his foot in rage. “Dammit! He had complete control over us!” the fear that seeped into his voice was evident. You tried to reach out for him, to help him but he stormed out of the room, slamming the door before you could get the chance. You made a mental note to go run with him to help burn off his adrenaline later.
No one had the strength to say anything else, with heavy hearts, everyone slowly filed out of the office.
You, Akira and Morgana remained in the room.
“Hey, they’re going...” Morgana hoped down from your shoulder, voice somber. The cat sighed, shaking his head.
Akira looked at you, you both knew what each-other was thinking. It was pity. Pity because your so called friend, the one you tried to be friends with, the one Akira knew you had feelings for was-
Morgana’s tail swished, sadly.
“You realized it too, then.”
#long post#goro akechi x reader#goro akechi#akechi goro#akechi goro x reader#getting into angst territory my boys buckle up#angst#persona 5#p5 imagine#p5#persona 5 imagines#persona 5 x reader#imagines#mod goro
290 notes
·
View notes
Text
s2ep10: a little respect
♪ So-o-oul, I hear you call-iiiiiing
Oh baby, pleeeease...
Give a little respe-ect, toooooo meeeeee! ♪
- “A Little Respect” by Erasure, which seems to be this week’s theme song :P
[SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT!]
The first of this week’s three skits is “Karamatsu and Brothers”, which I know nearly everyone was looking forward to. After all, Kara’s the fan favorite both here and in the Japanese fandom, where recently he’s won the top spot in a recent magazine’s favorite characters poll; does it live up to everyone’s standards?!
The skit opens with Totty asking Choro to buy him a soda, which Choro refuses to do in a very aggressive manner. I like how Totty described Choro here - “You act like an honor student, but you’re really just a delinquent!”; it succinctly summarizes Choro’s character well enough :P
Luckily for Totty, Kara comes to the rescue and offers to buy his soda for him! And after Totty gets his soda, he calls Kara “nice” and “reliable”, which makes Kara feel very happy and sparkly :P
Then everyone else starts asking Kara to do things for them: Starting with Oso, who asks Kara to do his chores in his stead; then Jyushi asks the same thing, then Ichi, then all of a sudden everyone except Choro is asking Kara to do something for him. And Kara says yes, he’ll do them! He’ll do anything his brothers ask him, they can rely on him!!
At this point Choro steps in, and scolds the others for putting so much on Kara. He even scolds Kara a bit for not standing up for himself. Honestly these little moments of Choro stepping in for his family members’ sakes (approaching Matsuzo about his problem in S2Ep4, now telling the others to lay off Kara in this ep.) are very nice; he really can be a good son and brother, after all ;v; And to the other brothers’ credit, they do feel bad for piling so much on Kara after realizing it - but then Kara protests and assures them no, it’s okay, he likes it when the brothers ask him to do stuff, it’s perfectly fine!! And with that assurance, the others go back to treating him like a work horse :P
Later, up on the rooftop, Kara confesses to Choro the truth - he actually hates it when the others ask him to do so much for them, so much that he could either die or kill them. When asked about why can’t just say “no” to them, Kara puts on the cool act and says that it’s because he’s such a nice guy~ But Choro quickly gets that the real reason Kara can’t say “no” is because beneath the painful guy act, he’s really just a timid wimp who can’t stand up for himself :P
Honesty Tidbit # 1: I never thought I’d actually say this, but... Kara’s situation was oddly relatable to me in some aspects. My family members - especially my sister - ask me to do things for them, get things for them, etc. all the time. And even when I don’t want to do them, I do them anyway orz (The difference between me and Kara is that unlike him, I usually complain first before doing them :P) To be fair, since I’m a NEET and no one else is, I guess it makes sense that I’m asked to do things for everyone while they’re doing work or resting from work. But still, it’s annoying...
Honesty Tidbit # 2: I can already see the annoying part of the fandom latching onto the fact that Kara’s a bit of a pushover and using that to further push the “pwecious sad woobie” fanon interpretation orz I’m really not looking forward to it...
So Choro tries to be a good brother again and offers to help Kara practice saying “no” to his brothers. However, he ends up getting sidetracked haha :P I find it interesting that Kara actually can’t recognize Choro’s caricatures of the others, even with each one’s more obvious attributes (”horse races” and “boobs” for Oso, “cats” and “killing you all” for Ichi, “baseball” and “BOEH” for Jyushi) mentioned. It makes me wonder, does Kara view and identify his brothers differently from how Choro (and the audience) does? If that’s the case, then how does he view and identify them?
...Or maybe Choro’s caricatures just too exaggerated for him haha
In the end, though, they go and tell the brothers Kara’s true feelings on the matter. And in a very nice moment, the brothers actually backed off once they knew that Kara didn’t actually like being asked what to do (they even said, “Why didn’t you tell us that you wanted us to stop?”), recognized that they really did keep asking him because they knew he wouldn’t say no, and sincerely apologized for it and promised not to do it anymore. Despite what fanon tends to say, the brothers really do care for Kara after all. I’m very glad that’s the case ;v;
...and then the others proceed to make Choro take Kara’s place as the errand boy :P Choro angrily protests, asks for Kara’s help... and Kara refuses and leaves him to fend for himself with a “Good luck~” PFFFFFFFFFFFFFF. Of all times for Kara to decide to say “no”... I guess no good deed goes unpunished when your name’s Matsuno Choromatsu :P
This was a good skit! A good Choro, good Suiriku interaction, the brothers proving fanon wrong... What’s not to love? :’)
The second skit, “New Employee Totoko”, is exactly what it says on the tin - in an office AU, Totoko is the newly hired employee, with Totty being her superior. The skit is already interesting to me because of Totty having the role of the boss/leader/department head in this skit; he doesn’t usually take on these roles IIRC. It fits the ambitious side of his personality though, so I’m not complaining :) He’s also taking his job really seriously in this skit, and certainly acts like how you’d expect a boss/leader/department head to act. It ends up making him a pretty good tsukkomi to Totoko’s antics :P
Speaking of Totoko, she was pretty neat here too! For one thing, her hairstyle as a newbie employee is really nice ;v; It’s her first day working in Akatsuka Tradings, but already she’s causing problems for her superior - first off, she won’t come over when Totty calls her over to his desk. Her excuse is that nobody told her that that’s what she had to do, so she didn’t do it :P Then Totty gives her a document to work on, which he tells her should be finished before lunch - but she doesn’t finish it at all by then, her excuse being that she hasn’t used the programs before, hasn’t done this sort of computing before, etc. Totty ends up having to do the work himself. Then, since Totty did her work for her, Totoko ended up spending her office time updating her social media and sleeping on the job... Again she uses her inexperience as an excuse... Yeah, Totoko’s not exactly the ideal employee for anyone working as a department head :P
I wonder if I can say that I’d be like Totoko if I were in an office setting? :P Again I’m a NEET so I don’t have any job experience... But if my memories of school, college, the two-week internship I had when I was in college, etc. are anything to go by, I know I’d be utterly useless when left to my devices and would always have to ask for help and instructions before I could be set on doing anything orz That, and I get distracted easily, I lose motivation easily, I stay up late... Yeah, Totoko is rather relatable here as well and I’m not proud to admit it orz
Totty ends up having to give Totoko a stern talking to, saying that since she’s new he’ll do his best to help her, but she’s still gotta put in the work herself. They agree to work hard, their conversation ends on a good note, Totty shows off his own version of Kara’s bishie eyes...
...and at the end of the day, Totoko quits her job :P Though Totty begs her to stay, and after his begging she says she’ll stay and even starts saying these cheesy, so-cliche-that-they’re-clearly-bullshit lines about how she’ll do a good job from now on... And then she ditches her job without saying goodbye :P Totty’s very upset about this. Ichiko and Jyushiko (?!) showing up and proving to be better employees doesn’t really help matters either, and it proves at the end that Totty won’t accept “uggos” and wants to work with a cute girl like Yowai-kun :P Ah, classic Totty
And finally, the last skit, “Dubbingmatsu-san”. A couple of unknown people who do unknown work in the Osomatsu-san anime enter a lavishly decorated room filled with food, comfy sofas, and pretty girls in bikinis. What’s all this for? It’s to receive the sextuplets, who are coming in to dub the anime of course! The sextuplets enter wearing various things to conceal their identities to the public - each one increasingly ridiculous than the last - and after a few minutes’ rest, they start to read and practice their lines before they start recording. And during practice, it never seems to be good enough...!!
It becomes clear that this skit actually isn’t about the boys at all - it’s a meta piece about their seiyuu, with the boys kinda-sorta acting as the main six seiyuu’s avatars instead of being themselves. Or at least, that’s how I like to think of this skit :P There are references to seiyuu having to take care of their voices - the boys have humidifiers with them to keep their vocal chords working, and even have back-up surgery implants for their throats in case the worst happens!
And then the boys start practicing their lines and beating themselves up for not meeting their own high standards - the part I really lost it was when Totty yelled, “What did I go study abroad for?!”, which is a reference to Miyu Irino going abroad earlier this year to pursue his theatre studies. It makes me wonder now if the stuff the others were saying while they were beating themselves up were references to their own seiyuu themselves??
Meanwhile Ichi’s/Jun’s just practicing his stabbing skills. Good job Ichi/Jun
Also can we please exploit Miyu Irino’s English skills in S2 already
Then recording’s about to begin - with the boys completely naked of course, can’t risk any clothes ruffling making any noise! - and after some chants, they start dubbing over the provided images. And apparently, they’re so good that they can ad-lib and almost change the script entirely, and it’d be okay! They didn’t even need to do any retakes - the boys/seiyuu are just that good!! They’re professionals!!!
It’s interesting to see Ososan’s (fictionalized and exaggerated for comedy’s sake) take on the recording process of anime. It certainly matches up with some of the things I remember reading in interviews with the seiyuu before. In the end, this skit is a silly and irreverent but affectionate love letter to the guys who bring our loveable six same shitheads to life. I can’t help but wonder how Sakurai/Nakamura/Kamiya/Fukuyama/Ono/Irino all felt while recording this skit. Were they embarrassed? Happy? A little proud? I hope someone asks about that skit either in an interview or in a post-Cour 1 commentary reel, like last season’s.
Finally recording ends, and the boys head home - each going home with a hefty sum of yen in one hand, a pretty bikini girl on one arm, and in each one’s personal private helicopter. I... am pretty sure this bit is an exaggeration, there’s no way anyone would actually go home in a private helicopter unless they’re that stinkin’ rich and famous :P But hey, the boys did a good job, they’re happy, the anime staff is happy, we get a quality anime because of everyone’s hard work, therefore everyone’s happy.
“Who would’ve thought such professionals were behind those shitty episodes that air on TV?”
“Makes you respect them even more.”
So in conclusion, thank you to Sakurai & Nakamura & Kamiya & Fukuyama & Ono & Irino (& don’t forget Suzumura & Kokuryu & Endo & Saito & Ueda & Tobita & Inoue & Kujira & Yamashita &...) for everything that you do for this shitty anime!! \( ; v ; )/ It wouldn’t be the same without you, thank you for your hard work! ♥♥♥♥♥♥
All in all, this week’s episode was pretty great! I enjoyed it thoroughly and was invested all throughout. I think my favorites would be a tie between “Karamatsu and Brother” (surprisingly!) and “Dubbingmatsu-san” - on one hand, we have solid Suiriku and brotherly care on many sides; on the other we have meta and a silly but sweet nod to the professionals who make the anime come to life. But even “New Employee Totoko” is solid for the roles the characters play alone! So yes, all in all, this week was a good week, and I’m greatly looking forward to next week’s fare ^^
I’m actually really, really excited for next week because - HORROR(HOUSE)MATSU!!! While I’m not really big on the horror genre as a whole, I like the idea of throwing out favorite NEETs into scary situations. And a haunted house is perfect for it >:) The title is “Chibita’s Revenge”, so Chibita's definitely gonna have some sort of hand in all of the spooky shenanigans... Does he have friends on the other side?! :0
Aaaaah, next Matsu Monday can’t come soon enough! ♥
#Spoilers#Matsu spoilers#Matsu S2 spoilers#Season 2#Random thoughts with Nature#Nature talks about S2#I'm still not back from hiatus btw#but these reviews are fun and I'll keep doing 'em
13 notes
·
View notes
Text
jadebee replied to your post “Well we watched Stranger Things 2 today and…I have a lot of opinions.”
Ooo I'd be interested in what you and Amanda liked and didn't about it. Like I was totally for the Steve character development and Eleven and Hopper relationship.
WELL SINCE YOU ASKED. Buckle up, I’m about to talk a LOT.
First off I’ll talk about the stuff I did like.
1. Nearly everything involving Steve Harrington. I KNOW, WHAT?! Certainly a surprise as I spent the majority of season 1 talking shit about him and calling him a douche. His attempts to mentor Dustin were heartwarming and the way he actually seemed to like keeping an eye out for the kids was just...yes. Yes. What a nice young man he turned out to be.
2. The IDEA of Hopper and Eleven in a father/daughter dynamic. My god, it is ALL I wanted, and even though it was complicated in execution, I appreciated that they went there.
3. Getting to see more of Lucas, his family, and having a significant part of the story be about/involving him. It was a about time.
And now, to the point. The shit I took issue with in no particular order.
1. So something that a lot of sequels do and that I just cannot bring myself to be on board with is the way they take the “special” character (in this case, Eleven), and just...make more of them. I mean, it was always implied that there had to have been others but it was the IMPLICATION that was interesting, the mystery of their fate that lent Eleven’s role and existence a certain gravity and an urgency to her situation. Branching out in this way began a scattering of importance that weakened the main storyline, which brings me to...
2. I was NOT into the way everyone was just tossed to the winds. The first season was much more masterful in starting everyone off separated and then bringing them together by the end, but I think the success of that was totally thanks to the fact that they were ALL working on and affected by the same ONE thing, even if they were off in their separate groups. Nancy and Jonathan, The three boys and Eleven, Hopper, Joyce...season one had them ALL working on more or less the same question: where the fuck is Will (or Barb)? And by the end, they were all together, working to solve the problem as a unit. This season was just way less cohesive and, to me personally, less appealing as a result. Joyce’s mission was “what’s wrong with Will?” Hopper’s mission was “gotta keep Eleven safe and also why the fuck is my town rotting?” Nancy and Jonathan’s mission was “we gotta destroy Hawkin’s Lab and get justice for Barb.” The boys were literally just “we gotta be weird/kind of a dick to this new girl and like, idk, have a crisis about this interdimensional newt I guess.” Like what even were the boys doing this entire time?? And while they did all come together at the end to achieve the same goal yet again, the fact that they all arrived there by following different threads didn’t feel like things were tying together as they were always and inevitably meant to, but rather that it was sort of an afterthought.
3. Max. Like. Jesus. So you gotta believe me when I say I am BEYOND hesitant to say these words about a female character, but Max was fucking pointless. Like, legit pointless as a character. But I say this with the implication that this was done as a disservice to HER and not just to us as viewers. Her only purpose was to cause conflict among the boys (sans Will I guess because baby had his own problems), even though she was set up to have her own familial complications. But those complications were never given any real depth or purpose. I don’t know what the intent was, but basically all the show ended up achieving with Max was EVERYONE being mean to her. Her brother, Mike, Eleven, even Dustin sort of on Steve’s shitty advice. They couldn’t even find a way to incorporate her into the show’s established theme/extended metaphor of all of the kids fulfilling the role in their group that they bring to their D&D party in the form of their player classes. They went and made up some bullshit thing that made no sense in context and, yeah okay, maybe they wanted to send the message that life isn’t a game and you have to adapt to survive but it was just such a weakly made point when it could have been so much stronger if they’d followed their own rules. She could have been their rogue and Mike was just being too obstinate to see it. Instead, we see a girl forcing her way into acceptance rather than the group coming to understand the value she already had.
4. Billy. My problems with Billy were both pretty straightforward and fed into a larger issue, which I’ll get to after this, but aside from him being an absolute piece of shit who made my skin fucking crawl every time I looked at him, Billy was ultimately dealt with in just the most dissatisfying way. The entire season, we’re given nothing about him except that he’s a monumental asshole that bullies his little sister and is apparently a giant racist who acts like he’s on copious levels of PCP like, all the time, until suddenly we’re shown his shitty home life and the abusive dynamic he has with his father. First of all, I’m never super into the whole “the abused become abusers” thing because that’s bullshit, but to be shown the particular way his father talks to him and then to have Max later do NEARLY the same thing in order to assert herself...how are we meant to be satisfied with that? Like, for one thing, I do not expect that to have worked like, at all. Like there’s no way that approach is going to yield some permanent results. For another, it just leaves a TERRIBLE taste in my mouth that Max was so similar to Billy’s dad. The way they both repeat themselves and force a response from him in order to assert that they have the power in the situation...it was an uncomfortable parallel.
5. Mews. LIKE?! It isn’t just that I find violence against animals in the horror genre/spooky media cheap and fucked up (which it was), to me it was a point where the show tangibly turned a corner to abandon dealing with danger and the stakes fairly elegantly in favor of being gratuitous. And then somehow it was played as a REALLY ineffective joke?
6. I’ve said before in previous posts that the thing I loved most about season one was how we were given certain very familiar character archetypes at first glance and then the show proceeded to artfully and completely DESTROY those expectations by giving us something so much better and more complex. LITERALLY every new character we were given in season two utterly failed to do this. None moreso than Billy, but even Max and Bob were disappointingly one-dimensional. Bob was literally only there to be a puzzle/tech nerd and once he fulfilled that role, *drags finger across throat*. WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT FUCKING GRIEVANCE....
7. BOB. FUCKING. BOB, Y’ALL. So I won’t deny that the intensity of this point to me is due in no small part to my personal adoration of Sean Astin, so I might be a little bit biased here, but Bob’s death was absolute bullshit. I’m not just saying that because I liked him. I’m saying that because once he served his plot purpose, he became expendable and, thus, PURE emotional manipulation to the audience. “Here we’re gonna make you really like this super nice guy who loves Joyce and her family and then KILL HIM IN THE GORIEST AND MOST UNJUST FUCKING WAY POSSIBLE LOL GOTCHA FUCKERS.” “But Lindsey,” I hear you say, “season one didn’t spare everyone, you know.” Oh, I know. I remember Barb. I was REAL sad about her, too. But Barb’s death served an actual narrative purpose. Barb’s death established the stakes. Barb’s death served up some heavy implications on what might or might already have happened to Will. Because of Barb, we KNEW what everyone was up against. We didn’t need Bob to remind us. Bob’s death was bullshit garbage fuckery and it was the point where I started really not enjoying myself.
8. WHY. THE FUCK. WAS IT ESTABLISHED THAT ELEVEN’S STRENGTH WAS IN ANGER?! I have SUCH a problem with this! The ENTIRE thing with Kali and her friends just rubbed me the wrong way, (such as the way Eleven indignantly says “I’ve killed before” like she’s proud of it??) but NOTHING moreso than that. It would have been FINE to have seen it explicitly contradicted, thus establishing Kali as someone flawed and driven by something very different than Eleven, but if that was their intention, I feel like it never came through clearly enough. Eleven’s strength should have been in her love of her found family, the friends and people that care about her, Mike and Hopper and Joyce, and not just the ways they’ve FAILED her. UGH.
9. The retconning about Eleven’s mom. Felt sloppy. I’m running out of steam here, but that’s the long and short of it.
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
Natsume Week, Day 2
written for @natsumeweek! also on ao3. yes I know I’m like three or four days late I apologize blame finals lol
prompt: Celebrations/Get-togethers
title: home
summary: Natsume worries (again). Set one year after his arrival at the Fujiwara’s.
words: 2080
The day starts out like any other.
After he shakes off the inevitable morning drowsiness, prodding awake a disgruntled (and most likely hungover) Nyanko-sensei, and finishing breakfast with Touko and Shigeru, Natsume breathes a sigh of relief. No ayakashi banging on his window in the time between dead of night and early morning, none of the bone-throbbing tiredness that came with returning names for hours on end. Just him, his foster parents, his cat, and his schoolbag hanging over his uniform, pressed free of wrinkles thanks to Touko-san’s impeccable ironing.
He almost could forget that today is slightly different than the rest.
(He had decided, about a week ago, that he wouldn’t make a big deal out of it. To the others, it is just a normal day).
Halfway to school, after Nyanko-sensei has at least somewhat recovered from the bright morning sunlight peeking through the cracks in the nearby hills, he notices it, too. “You’re in an awfully good mood this morning,” he muses, momentarily distracted by a dragonfly. “Did you finally decide to hand over the Book of Friends?”
Natsume raises an eyebrow, unimpressed with Sensei’s attempts to nab the dragonfly. “No, Sensei,” he says. “I’m just glad I finally got a full night’s rest for once. Returning names is hard.”
They come up to the bridge that spans the river across from their school, its faded red beams now familiar to Natsume after one year of walking past them everyday. “Then you should just give it to me now, and save yourself the trouble,” Nyanko-sensei says, having given up on the dragonfly with the air of one who has not really given up at all. He waddles ahead, round head held high proudly. “Besides, a weakling like you wouldn’t be able to handle this for another year, or however long you humans stay in one place.”
Thankfully, Natsume is spared from responding by a friendly call of his name behind him. He turns to find Tanuma and Kitamoto, with Nishimura sprinting not far behind.
“Natsume!” Tanuma raises his hand in greeting.
Once again, Natsume is struck with the realization that these are his friends. He cannot help but smile, and wave back. “Morning!”
“You wouldn’t be able to handle this for another year.”
He tries his best to shake away Nyanko-sensei’s words and continues on with the others, Nishimura wheezing as he runs to catch up with them, the sound of everyone’s laughter filling the morning air.
He hopes that his smile doesn’t slip at the thought of a year going by, of a year closer to the end of whatever he has now.
He hopes that they don’t notice when it does anyway.
~
It’s around lunchtime that Natsume begins to realize that the day had been going a little too well for it to last. It begins with Nishimura, who seems distracted all throughout class, even when Taki asked him if she could borrow his eraser. When Natsume asks if he’s feeling alright, he snaps his too-intense gaze up from his shoes to Natsume, eyes wide with fear.
“I’m--uh, yeah. Everything’s fine,” he mutters, then glances nervously towards the door. “Oh, well--gotta go!” he stands quickly, ignoring Natsume’s puzzled expression, and makes a beeline for the door, where Natsume swears he sees Tanuma’s unruly black hair disappearing around the corner.
Kitamoto is quick to follow him, sparing Natsume a quick glance as he goes. “I’d better follow him,” he says apologetically. “Never know what trouble he’s getting into.”
Natsume watches them leave, hand outstretched, mouth halfway into asking if they wanted to eat lunch on the roof together. “Oh, a-alright.”
Throughout the day, he can’t get Nishimura’s expression out of his head. It’s been awhile since he’s seen that kind of...
“Sorry about that, Natsume-kun,” says Sasada sympathetically, at the end of class. “I’m sure that they’re just being stupid again. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
Natsume nods slowly, feeling as if his head has not quite caught up with his body.
Even though his physical reflexes have rarely let him down, his gut-reaction when it comes to emotions is not so quick on its toes. He supposes that months of allowing himself to enjoy his time with others has made him accustomed to it, so much so that he has almost forgotten what it feels like to be left behind.
“You wouldn’t be able to handle this for another year.”
For the second time that day, he ignores the pit that grows ever-larger in his stomach. It’s probably nothing, he tells himself.
He tells himself this up until even Tanuma starts avoiding him, declining Natsume’s request to walk home together with a nervous laugh and a hasty excuse.
“Oh, it’s no problem,” Natsume says with a smile that nearly hurts his face. “Tell your dad I hope he gets better!” He walks away from the front gate as quickly as he can, hoping he hadn’t looked too dejected.
Nyanko-sensei follows him home though, singing about steamed buns and the fried shrimp that Touko-san said she would make for dinner tonight.
“Oi, Natsume!” he says once they’ve crossed the bridge for the second time. “Let’s go to that store, the one that sells those cookies that you bought the other day.”
“Not today, Sensei,” Natsume sighs. “Besides, you were the one who ate all of them in the first place.”
“That’s besides the point,” says Sensei haughtily. “We’re going, or I’m telling the mid-ranks that you’re hosting dinner at your place for the next two weeks.”
Natsume knows he’s joking, but figures he should indulge him, just this once. He thinks it’ll be a nice distraction. “Fine. But I only have so much allowance, and I’m not asking the Fujiwaras for anymore.”
By the time they exit the supermarket, Natsume’s pockets considerably lighter than before, the sun has already begun to set. Now, it is golden hour, the light like strands of fine silk against the greenness of the hills, slowly filtering into splashes and spots that dot the trees. Natsume wonders if he could reach out and touch the beams that slat across the forest floor; if he, too, would slip right through the cracks of this world, into the mysteries of the other one. It has given him so much grief already, caused him so much pain, would it really be so hard to become a permanent part of it?
(Although, he supposes, some of his encounters with youkai have also been nothing short of amazing).
Sensei is surprisingly quiet as they walk along the “shortcut” he found a couple weeks after they had met. Natsume figures it must be the cookies that rendered him speechless, and lets him be.
However, as they approach the Fujiwara’s, his feet seem to root themselves to the ground, and his pace slows. “Hey, Sensei.”
Sensei keeps walking, his stubby little feet only carrying him so far away from Natsume. “What do you want now?” he says, mouth full of sarcasm, and possibly cookies.
Natsume wonders if it’s possible to feel like the world is beginning and ending all at once. He lowers his eyes to the dirt path, unsure of where to look. “Do…do you think it’s been too long?”
Sensei scoffs. “You’ll have to be more specific.”
“Since I came here. I’ve never…”
He doesn’t finish his sentence.
“Natsume,” Sensei says, suddenly serious. He stops walking up to turn and look behind him, his black eyes narrowed to sits and the shadow of his true self stretching out behind him. It’s times like these that Natsume remembers what his bodyguard really is underneath all the fur and squabbling.
“Your existence is a mere blink of an eye for me. One year is nothing. I have existed for so long that I’ve seen things you wouldn’t even dream of, boy.”
He turns back around, his voice, if Natsume is not mistaken, a few hairs softer, maybe even begrudgingly fond. “You humans. Always measuring time by your own standards. Gimme a break.”
Natsume’s lips quirk up. “I suppose you’ll always be with me, no matter where I go, then?”
“Don’t kid yourself. I’m just here for the Book of Friends. When you die, it’s mine.”
Natsume figures that it’s a good enough answer, and looks up from the ground to glance behind him. He swears something is following him again, but all he sees are the trees a few paces from the foot of the hill. The forest waves back at him in a friendly manner, spring wind stirring up the branches, leaves whirling in little eddies, as if saying hello. Natsume allows himself another little smile. “Whatever you say, Sensei.”
With an unconcerned hmmph, Sensei continues on his trek towards Touko-san’s fried shrimp, and Natsume turns back around to follow him.
He slides open the front door, removes his shoes, hollers “I’m home!” as always.
Silence greets him.
“Touko-san? Shigeru-san? Hello? Is anyone here?”
No response.
Oh, no.
All the blood drains from his face. He can feel that pit grow in his stomach once more, clawing up to his throat and forcing his breath out in quick, uneven gasps. He looks around frantically, glancing in dark corners full shadows that could quickly turn into hands that grab, into teeth that tear--
“Sensei, do you sense anything--?”
There is no sign of Nyanko-sensei, either.
Natsume runs through each room of the house, tearing away doors, feet thumping against the wooden floor.
He should have known that his peaceful days here wouldn’t have lasted.
“You wouldn’t be able to handle this for another year.”
Natsume doesn’t know what he would do if something happened, if some particularly nasty youkai with a taste for cruel irony decided to destroy the little life he’s built here exactly one year after his arrival, but if that’s the case, then--
He bursts into the backyard, and promptly trips over his own feet, sending him sprawling.
“Natsume?!”
He looks up.
His eyes widen.
There, in the Fujiwara’s backyard, is everyone.
Touko, her hands clasped around her heart fondly; Shigeru, arms folded and a proud smile on his face. Tanuma, dark hair ruffled as he sheepishly runs his hands through it, Taki, beaming at him while also side-eyeing Nyanko-sensei, Kitamoto, flashing him an enthusiastic thumbs-up, Nishimura, asking him to hurry up and give him the lighter so he can begin lighting the sparklers, and Sasada, nudging Nishimura and hissing “he’s already here, you idiot!”
Natsume turns towards the more shadowed areas of the forest that resides behind the house, and sees the mid-ranks, cheering him on with bottles of sake swinging precariously between them, Hinoe raising her pipe in the barest of acknowledgment, Misuzu’s enormous form looming within the trees, Benio’s butterfly mask glinting in the evening sun, Chobihige’s hands folding and unfolding nervously in his robes, Kappa waving eagerly at him, and Nyanko-sensei, trying to pry the sake away from the mid-ranks with as much dignity as he can muster.
Everyone.
“Welcome home, Natsume!” they all cry in unison, their voices echoing across the grassy lawn just as the sun hits the treeline, and for a moment, Natsume cannot see anything, just golden light, so bright he has to squint and raise a shaking hand to his face. He picks himself off the floor, nearly trembling, his emotions so much a whirling mess he can’t make sense of them. Relief tinged with the traces of fear, shock colored with awe, but most of all—
Happiness.
He is so happy it spills over his face, across his lips, bringing to life the small dimples around his cheeks that Touko-san likes to squeeze and sparking little prickles behind his eyes that he hopes won’t spill over, because it’ll just make them worry more. His next words, though, are pitched a little higher than normal, his voice cracking ever-so-slightly.
“I’m home,” he says, because he is.
It has been one year since Natsume first showed up at the Fujiwara’s doorstep with demons that no one could see behind him, glassy eyes facing towards nothing that anyone could see ahead.
One year later, the demons are still (mostly) invisible to others (and perhaps no longer demons), but Natsume is not invisible, or feared, or passed along to the next house of judgment and hardship, of locked doors and harsh whispers.
And his eyes, now more full of light than ever, have turned outward, not inward, to the rising sun that is his family, his friends, his future.
He is finally home.
45 notes
·
View notes
Last Seen Blogs
fairystcle
fitte hi muh.
xochilexart
Xochilex's Art
alexisdoodles
Azura's Art Blog
vashvash204
Untitled
jcappexclusivo
☠ƒƱℬÅ® T€ç4ΩΦ7ø6¥☠