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#dear serizawa-san
pawapoppet · 1 year
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Reigen doesn’t lean back, stays right there in Katsuya’s space, breathing the same air as him. Katsuya tries very hard to focus on Reigen’s words rather than that fact. x
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artistfingers · 10 months
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HIII, look what arrived today!!
thanks again for giving me permission, i love this fic so much, and i cant wait to read it all over again, but this time in my own hands!?❤️❤️
it will get a very special place in my shelf ❣️
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AHHH Amazing AMAZING!! thank you so much for sharing pictures. it is so so cool to see my work on paperback!! to know it's on someone's shelf out there!! i mean, that's like life-goals come true right there. (and it's so cute to see even my author's notes are included! man, those feel like a true time-capsule piece of history)
it blows my mind to see this fic meaning so much to you and so many others. thank you again for sharing pics!!! 🥺🥺🥺 wahhh!!!!
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eudikot · 1 year
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I keep getting beautiful mp100 fanfic artworks on my feed which means I have to open that fanfic and save it for later, but they're coming at me faster then I can read them please help stop posting captivating fanfic artwork.
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loquaciouscat · 1 year
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i am actively choosing to not watch TOH new ep solely because I'm reading Katsuya being a shut-in author LFKWLFKWLFKWLKFLSKD
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love-goblinn · 1 year
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i love you, i love you, i love you
[ based on a scene from the incredible fic, ‘dear serizawa san’ by artistfingers ]
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marrymeserizawa · 1 year
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If you’re able to I’ve been sick as hell the last couple days and would love some serirei fic recs (I did see your post about the fic recs the other day and if you’re still not ready that’s totally okay!)
Oh noo I hope you're feeling better:'0 if you still need a pick me up- nothing better than serirei+pet ownership
cats!
Serizawa's guide to cat ownership
The castle by the sea (yes, again. this fics got it all)
dogs!
Mans best friend
Terms of endearment
both!
Serirei fluff collection
Even fishies?!
Leave a tender moment alone
Dear Serizawa-san
We've truly got it all here~
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evergardenwall · 1 year
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You have replies turned off in that post asking for serirei fics recommendations so I have to send an ask, sorry,,,, On the top of my head there's "paprika" by snapdragonsuplex (its so cool, magical realism a bit? Reigen has a twin sister, i love her and their relationship sm), "dear serizawa-san" by artistfingers (im not usually a fan of no powers aus but this fic was so good to read) and "a heart like yours" by yessica (pretended relationship to get serizawa a vacation but also reigen family drama, its good)
no need to apologize!! and thank you for all the recs 💖
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infinite-art · 2 years
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I desperately need fic recommendations for serirei! I'm new and tried to read some at the start on AO3 but I'm finding myself not enjoying some people's writing style or grammar... I appreciate all writers who express themselves deeply!! But I could really use some good recommendations to read!
My time to shine is here
My number 1 fic is “A heart like yours” https://archiveofourown.org/works/27901117/chapters/68322967
It’s amazing, slow burning fake dating all that good stuff. It’s 47,000 something words so a bit longer
All the big woo, it’s the longest completed serirei fic on ao3, but so worth it. It’s this whole game show au and really cute https://archiveofourown.org/works/22964062/chapters/54895045
If you want good grammar and just reads like a professional novel you’ll love Dear Serizawa-san https://archiveofourown.org/works/22081867/chapters/52698151
Slow burn author au and the writing in this is amazing and they characterize serizawa perfectly
All of these are pretty long so for shorter reads I have things like broken, repaired, new https://archiveofourown.org/works/18186410/chapters/43016705
I couldn’t stop till I finished it, Reigen has a sister in it and it’s just a really cute slow burn. You can tell slow burn is a thing for me
I’ll end it with this final fix but I have so many more I would recommend
https://archiveofourown.org/works/21493009
Most of the fics I read is by this author so when you see tinkertoysdamn you can count on it being good. But it has slow dancing and pinning
Hope I was able to give you some good recommendations!
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Chapter 17
“Holla, Emily Kane. Sure is nice to finally meet the person who keeps breaking through our security system.”
Despite the initial surprise, the woman quickly shook her head, gaining her bearings back. “And you must be Julian Cyan Florès.” She answered back.
“Alright, I’m gonna have to stop you right there chica- it’s just Florès, J.C. if you’re a friend. And if you were trying to be intimidating by using my full name: that is nowhere long enough to be my actual name.” Florès informed her, shaking his head. “Anyway, did you guys know the military thinks you guys are Monarch agents in disguise?”
“What?” The woman on the screen- Emily Kane- asked incredulously. “Well that would explain why no one has come after us- wait a minute, did you just- !?”
“Expose the existence of your group to the military and blow the cover you guys didn’t even know you had?” Florès asked, before smirking. “Sure did, chica.”
Serizawa blinked, before turning toward the younger man. “How did you do that?”
“Serizawa, I’m the one keeping the firewall so solid.” Florès told him, really looking like he wanted to deadpan but restraining himself. “I know every single attempt to breach it, failed and successful alike. By the way,” The younger man turned back to the screen, brows furrowed. “Pretty smart to hack the cameras the one moment I’m not looking at a screen. Too bad the footage you got is basically useless now.”
Kane sighed. “What do you want from me, Florès? And don’t try anything sneaky, I know what you’re capable of.”
“And you think I don’t know about what you’re capable of, Emmy?” Florès started, his teeth flashing almost menacingly as he smiled. “You’re twenty-six years old, an orphan, and you got yourself a master in bioengineering with a minor in programming two years ago. You live alone with three cats- that’s sad- and the reason you decided to join the Titan Liberation Front is because Jonah is the only one who didn’t dismiss your talents because you’re a young black woman in field dominated by white male.”
She seemed surprised at that. “How do you know all that!?”
“Oh, idle snooping around in Jonah’s files. Dude needs a better firewall, and to trust his employees enough to not collect every single bit of info on them: official address, names of loved ones, birthplace, social security number-”
“Florès, we get it. You snoop around.” Emma started, getting up from behind her desk with her husband not far behind her. Until the Ghidorah fiasco was resolved, Monarch had allowed her to stay and help, and this was, in fact, what the earlier argument between Monarch’s head-scientists and the military had started about. “What I want to know is what the Titan Liberation Front thinks it’s doing.”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Kane asked. “We’re saving the world.”
“By releasing the Titans- that doesn’t make sense!” Mark retorqued back, before Emma put a hand on his shoulder.
“Actually, it... does.” She started. “As impossible as it may seems. You know how the planet is slowly being cooked by pollution?” He nodded. “A very possible theory here at Monarch is that the Titans can fix it.”
“Indeed.” Kane started back, taking a deep breath. “Humans... w-we’re a sickness. An infection on the planet. But like all organisms, the planet has unleashed a fever to kill it’s infection. It’s rightful rulers. The Titans.”
“Is that what you actually think, or is that what Alan ‘Eco-fascism is my middle name’ Jonah fed you so he could get you to abandon your ideals and work for him?”
“Florès.“ Serizawa admonished before turning toward the screen.
“Jonah made me see the truth.” Kane snapped back. “If the human infection continues to spread, the planet will perish, and everyone with it. Unless we let the Titans do what they must do.”
“And what will be left then!?” Mark exclaimed. “A dead, charred world overrun by warring giants-”
“No, actually.” Kane answered, shaking her head. “The Titans- they emit radiations that keeps the planet going. It’d be more like a land buried under the ashes of a volcano bringing life back to the land. And the survivors will be able to reap the rewards.”
“This is a dangerous path.” Serizawa hissed. “You’re all messing with forces beyond our comprehension- gambling with the life of millions!”
“And what are you gambling with?” Kane answered back. “Monarch is on the verge of being overtaken by the military, and all the resources you’ve dedicated to merely studying the Titans will be used to enslave them, destroy them, use them as weapons- if that happens, the planet will die!”
“The planet will die if Ghidorah is allowed to do as he pleases!” Graham started, visibly at the end of her patience. “They’re not from Earth! They are hostile Titans from outer space, who have always been malevolent, and your group forced one of our own to free them!”
“I understand where your intentions come from, miss Kane- I used to think similarly when I first joined Monarch.” Emma started. “But if we let this happen, there will be no going back. Tons of lives will be lost, and what will be left will be plunged into chaos. And that’s only with what we know about Earth’s Titans: Ghidorah isn’t part of the natural order, and they have the potential to disrupt it severely, if not destroy it beyond repair. Do you really want to to risk so much just for a slight chance of the planet healing?”
“... If that’s what it takes, yes.” Kane rubbed her eyes. “I suggest you all take refuge. We know Monarch has built bunkers in case of a mass extinction event caused by the Titans. I suggest you find them before Ghidorah comes out hiding.” Before anyone could say anything, she cut communication, plunging the room into a consterned silence.
You could hear a mutter of “That bitch.” from Dr. Chen, 
“Well,” Stenz started. “I’m certainly surprised her message idn’t resonate with you people-”
“You. Shut .Up.” Florès hissed, glaring at a bewildered Stenz through the screen. “As far as I’m concerned, Ghidorah being free is your fault, and I don’t want to hear you tell us how Monarch should do their job, or that they have any affiliations with those madmen from the T.L.F., ever again, got it!? If you do, you’re next on the list of people I have to do some... idle snooping around about.”
“... Got it.” The admiral closed the screen shortly afterwards, a sigh of relief coming from almost everyone at this.
“We need to find a way...” Serizawa muttered under his breath, before turning toward the programmer. “Florès? I’m going to ignore the fact that I should probably fire you for cybercrimes on two conditions: find as much information as you can on the Titan Liberation Front, and use it to make their life a living hell.”
Florès smiled. “Of course, Serizawa.”
“Everyone else: get to work. We have to start preparing for the worst.”
-
Alright, Rodan had been back for a while now. He just needed to walk up to him, give him that stupid stone, and walk away. It was simple. A child could do it. Too bad the literal hundreds of nightmare scenarios going through Ni’s head simultaneously prevented him from moving from the rock he was hiding behind.
He took a peak, looking at Rodan. The bird was currently eating a fish, facing away from Ni’s point of view. He also seemed to be struggling with it, for some reason. Ni took a deep breath through his nose to steady himself, before getting up and walking up to him. “Rodan.”
“Gah!” Rodan exclaimed, turning toward Ni, before deflating a bit. “Don’t scare me like that.” He then turned back toward his fish, taking another bite and pulling a face as he did so. “Urgh, rotting flesh is the worst...”
Ni raised an eyebrow. “What do you usually eat?”
“Roots, nuts, insects, fish but prefer when it’s fresh... sometimes, humans would leave me grain in offerings, always a nice surprise.” Rodan answered. “... kind of palled to when they would kill one of their own in front of me as spectacle, but hey.”
“You don’t know what a sacrifice is?” When Rodan shook his head, Ni sat down. “It’s... an gift mortals give to gods by destroying or abandoning something dear, often the life of the sacrificed.”
“... yeah, sounds like something Quetz would’ve liked.” Rodan muttered, before shaking his head. “Don’t they know I’m not a god? I just... live here.”
“You’re bigger than them, at least one element obeys you, and you pretty much decide whether or not this island explodes.” Ni deadpanned. “To them, that’s enough.”
“... Uh.” Rodan took another bite of his fish, cringing as the flesh hit his tongue.
“If you don’t like it, stop eating it.”
“I can’t just stop eating it, I can’t find any other kind of food around here!”
Find food he can eat to get on his good side. Got it. “Why not just absorb energy, then?” Rodan seemed to freeze at that. “Well?”
“... can’t absorb any if I’m not in lava...” He finally muttered. As Ni opened his mouth, he snapped. “And no, I can’t just live the rest of my life in lava. Sure, it’s warm and I don’t risk ever being hurt in it again, but... I’m the only thing it doesn’t burn to the touch. I can’t see. I can’t hear. I can’t talk with anyone. I’m... I’m all alone.” Rodan shook his head. “That’s no way to live, so I try to stay out of it.”
“... San could teach you how to do it.” Ni finally said, Rodan turning toward him with a perplexed expression. “He’s the more spiritual out of the three of us... and he’s better with words than me... since we’re talking about San-” Ni took a hold of Rodan’s wrist, the bird screeching before realizing he was just putting something in his hand. “He found this, and wanted me to give it to you.”
There, it was done.
Ni closely watched Rodan as he reacted to the gift. After a few seconds of watching him, bewildered, he actually looked at the rock on his hand. After a few seconds of confusion, Rodan’s eyes widened, and his face turned a bright orange. “I- uh- erm-” He put the stone down, doing a strange gesture with his hands as he looked away.
Ni frowned at that. He understood, logically, that Rodan’s blood was lava-like from their fight. But why was it coming to his face? Was he overheating for some reason? Was he dying!? Was that why he couldn’t speak!? No no no no no, they needed him alive to get out of here.
Ni picked up Rodan, the bird squawking as he dragged him up. “I- what are you-” He started trashing in his grip as he realized that he was bringing him to the water, clutching at him with both set of claws. “No, NO- DO NOT FUCKING THROW ME INTO THE WATER-”
“You’re overheating, you need to get cooled down-”
“Overheat- I’M THE FIRE GUARDIAN, I CAN’T OVERHEAT!!!” Rodan finally screeched, freeing himself from Ni’s hold.
Ni’s only reaction was to frown. “Then why was your face turning red?”
“I was flustered! That happens!” Rodan exclaimed. “What, have you never seen someone flustered before!?”
“I have not.” Rodan blinked at Ni, before sighing. 
“I’m fine. Your gift just... caught me off-guard.” There was a heavy silence, before Rodan broke it. “Do you have something I could use to wear it, like a thin rope or something?” 
“No... wait.” Ni grabbed a few of his hair, tugging them out and braiding them together in a thin rope. “Hand me the stone, sit down, and turn around.” Rodan quickly followed the instructions, Ni wrapping the cord around the stone to make a necklace. “There we go... What was that thing you did with your hands earlier? He asked as he tied the cord around Rodan’s neck.
“Oh, sign words. I was saying thank you.” He answered. Ni made an inquisitive noise. “Basically, you speak with your hands instead of your mouth. Mothra taught me some time after I became the Fire Guardian because my transformation wasn’t finished and I couldn’t speak. I think the monkeys are the ones who invented it to talk with their worshippers.”
“I see... would you... mind teaching me?” Ni asked, trying to make his voice seem softer.
Rodan blinked, before nodding, turning toward Ni and sitting down. “Alright. Let’s start with the basics...”
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coaxol0tl · 4 years
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Tagged by @shinsouxmineta (sorry this took so long, I wasn't ignoring you I swear)
Top 3 Ships
ZoSan
EndMight
NaruSasu
Last Song Played
Last Night (Beer Fear) - Lucy Spraggan
Last Movie Watched
Moana I think?
Last fanfic/book read
Fanfic: Dear Serizawa-san by artistfingers
Book: I'm pretty sure it was Jellyfish Princess
Guess I'll tag @i-change-too-often , @ojiros-thicc-ass , @mineta-deserves-better , @mineta-minoru-is-baby
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milkteamoon · 4 years
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I refuse to b shameless self-promotion but if ur looking for mp100 fics (that I love and i aplogize in advance if u have already seen akfjks): "Dear Serizawa-san" is wonderful slow-burn, anything by ToastyToaster22 is also god-tier, a fun age-swap AU is the "Nothing Wrong with Having Help", and "When We Get There" is one that made me cry in a good way? I've got more, but uh, tiny askbox? Good luck dude, and the mood is real
Ahhhhh thank you so much for the recs anon ;-; The mood is definitely real we been in a serious drought as of late bones wya with the season 3 announcement
I’ll definitely be checking these out!
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artistfingers · 10 months
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listen,,,not to be cringe or anything but im reading the printed book of your fanfic in the library and im annotating the book with notes and stickynotes etc 😭❤️
i love the fic so much, i wanna burn the things i love about it into my mind with that, if it makes sense
i wanna read it so throughly and analyze it because it truly reached me on personal level, when ive read it for the first time
WAHHH??? 😭💕 that's so cool!! annotating and flagging things is one of the best benefits of physical media and it makes it so much easier to go back and find specific things than endless ao3 scrolling for something that's half-remembered ahahha (although doing that holds a special place in my heart, too) it's so cool you're doing that with dear serizawa-san, and that the fic reached you so personally when you first read it 🥺 that's so Amazing to hear and AHHH thank you for sharing!!!
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fabelyn · 5 years
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Atelo Ch.2
Pairing: minor serirei and terumob (no romance between any adult and kid, not even onesided)
Rated: PG-13 Warnings: spoilers for manga/anime end + Reigen sequel Chapter: 02/? (previous chapter) Word Count: 4k
Link to AO3
Summary: They wake up one morning to find Reigen gone.It’s hard to find a man whose past and history they never knew. They search for him, only to wonder if they should be bringing him back at all.
Roshuto glanced down at the yellowing tomes of what seemed like accounting books and resisted the urge to groan.
When his former disciple had brought in that girl, he’d happily assumed his sworn rival had finally screwed up and she was changing sides for someone who was clearly superior.
Well, his remarkable intellect had certainly hit the mark, partially . After all, what reason other than screwing up was there for the psychic Reigen Arataka to run off so quickly? Too suspicious.
However, the girl had not come to beg for employment, although at least she’d come seeking enlightenment; she’d arrived bearing books from Reigen Arataka’s office to request an explanation for them. Roshuto agreed he could spare a moment of his time to glance at them—perhaps even pick up a psychic signal of his rival’s whereabouts—and was annoyed when he began to peruse and realized they were all just bookkeeping.
Nonetheless, since he did understand some of that, he ploughed on; maybe he’d uncover his rival had been siphoning money out of his business.
“Aha!” He cried out proudly, and allowed the girl the come closer so he could show her his findings. “Verily I see something is wrong here. Take a look at these numbers! He’s claiming these absurdly cheap values are his consultation prices? Clearly, he’s writing down lowered values to keep a large part of the profits—”
“Nah, those are his rates.”
“...Oh.” That was… worrying. He couldn’t imagine trying to live off those prices. His rival must be swimming in clients. Although the books said otherwise. “Let’s see… ah! I see he claims he had two appointments at the same time.”
“Yeah, and now he’s updated to three.”
Roshuto was beginning to sweat now. “And… and here he has a strikethrough on a price and wrote down… carrots next to it?”
“Yeah, sometimes they can't pay with money. The carrots were pretty tasty though.”
“I… I… here! He constantly removes some pocket change and calls it “Mob”. Perhaps he’s been paying an audience some money to react as he wishes?”
“No, Mob just means Mob-kun’s salary.”
“... That’s salary ?!” Even he paid people better. Although a “Seri” seemed to earn a near living wage. He assumed it was the other man that worked there.
“Tragic, I know. But at least from what you’re telling me it doesn’t seem like he was skimming us.”
“My dear girl, I’m wondering why he was even paying you at all, with these rates. Were they always this low?”
“I think so, yeah. Why?”
“Girl, it would take too long to go through the intricate and delicate process that is starting a new business who is as often defamed as the one of psychics. To cut it short: offices cost money to rent or buy, then to maintain. So does the advertising required to kickstart such a venture. Normally one would procure a loan and pay it using the money earned. However, your Master seems to keep his rates low enough to live of off, so long as you don’t have loans on top of the daily necessities to pay. Meaning either someone gave him money to start off, he had money put aside from something, or he’s receiving money from elsewhere.”
“And can we find that out by looking through the ledgers?”
“Perhaps. It depends on how truthful and detailed his accounting is… which, I must warn you, detailed it is not . From just this sample I’ve picked it’s clear he only knows the basics. Although, I suppose, that could mean he would be unable to use any complex techniques to hide issues…” He glanced at the books the girl had brought over; there were too many. “You said these should encompass five years’ worth of accounting? Any detailed analysis will take more time.”
“... How much would that be? This is way over what highschool math is teaching me.”
No doubt . Roshuto calculated the time it would take him to look over the books, considering his current appointments… far too much.
He glanced over the girl again; she looked tired, but not yet defeated.
…Certainly, she looked better the last time he saw her, which was when he forced Rusty onto her…
Roshuto cleared his throat. “I suppose I could… glance over these in my spare time. Consider it as extending an olive branch to my rival. As payment… I’ll take information on what became of him, when you find him.” If you find him.
After the girl left, beaming, he summoned his current helper.
“Cancel any new appointment that may come up.” He glanced at the books and rubbed his hands. After this, I won’t owe you anything, Reigen Arataka.
*
Tome went back to the office with a spring in her step. Granted, the psychic hadn’t given her any answers, but at least he’d promised to work on it, and for free! Reigen would have been proud, if he’d still been around.
That depressed her all over again. And then she recalled Roshuto’s comment and anger surged instead.
She didn’t know how he got the office! She didn’t know anything! That was the worst. Reigen was claiming he was helping his parents and she couldn’t even tell if that was true or a lie fabricated by whatever entity had to be possessing Reigen right now.
Serizawa and Mob might know more, but they were too busy being heartbroken to be any help for now.
Which reminded her; she needed to see if Mob’s brother had made any progress.
As she scrolled through her contacts, an idea came to her, though she’d need the boys to see it through.
*
“Hey Ritsu-kun, how’s Mob-kun holding up on your end?”
He sighed. “My house is still under a storm cloud, Tome-san.”
“Damn, that can’t be good for the flowers.”
It’s not good for anything . “Yes, my parents aren’t too thrilled.”
“What are they doing about it, then?”
“They, uh, told Shige to knock it off with the constant rain.”
“Oh, did that work?”
“….It might have made it worse for an hour. But I might be mistaken.”
“Huh. Is this the first time he’s been this upset? I mean, okay, so obviously his parental—”
“His what , Tome-san?”
“Uuuh, his mentor figure walking out on him isn’t a normal occurrence but surely other stuff has upset him before?”
“It’s rare but I’ve seen this rain phenomenon happen twice before, yes.”
“Well then, how did you guys get rid of it?”
“…He went running to Reigen-san.”
“Well, damn .”
*
Mob flinched when another thunderbolt flashed by his window. He hadn’t meant to make the rain worse, especially after his parents scolded him for it, yet somehow remembering their orders was wreaking more havoc.
Maybe he should leave and go sit in the park somewhere until the raincloud blew over. But first…
He called Master Reigen, who picked up immediately. A sure sign he had no clients currently, which made Mob feel marginally better. “Hey Mob, what’s up?”
“ Master, I don’t think I’ll be able to come over today, I’m so sorry.”
He glanced outside the window and flinched; his mom had scolded him for ruining the flowers… and he could see the flowerbed had become a small pool already.
“Ah? Well, I suppose once in a while I do have to use my own powers, but why can't you come?”
“I… I’m a little upset…” He turned his back to the rain pouring outside his window. “And it’s, uh, making my powers go out of control. It’s been raining non-stop.”
“You sure that isn’t just the weather, Mob?”
“There’s a rain cloud over my house, and my house only, Master.”
“ Ah… well…”
“Anyway, I don’t want to drench your office. It’s bad enough that my mom’s flowers are ruined. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow, okay?”
“Hm, but it’s raining outside the house, right?”
“Err, yes?”
“So my office isn’t getting drenched. Come on over. Unless you feel more comfortable at home, of course.”
“But won’t it be bad for business, having a rain cloud over the office? And the window was leaking last time it rained, so some water might get in—”
“It’s just water, Mob. We’ll deal with it if it does get in. Besides, you need to think about perspective here. A spirit consultation office with it’s personal eerie rain cloud? Ha! That gives it authenticity . Business will boom. And if it doesn’t, you can entertain me by explaining just why you’re upset.”
“I watched a movie called Hachiko—”
“Say no more. Come on over. I have a new brand of spiritually soothing tea we could try out if you want.”
The downpour turned into a drizzle.
*
“It’s fine, I’ve called the cavalry. What about on your end, Tome-san? How is Serizawa-san?”
“Still down in the dumps. I’ve come up with a plan to boost his self confidence and locate Master Reigen but it hasn’t born fruit yet.”
“Yeah? What is it?”
“I created a profile for him on a gay dating app, and added subtle messages to attract aliens!”
“ How would that even— ” The doorbell mercifully rang. “Sorry, let me get back to you later, help for my brother has arrived.”
Ritsu opened the door to a grim-faced Shou and Teru. He was about to offer a towel but noticed they’d used their powers to stay dry.
“It’s bad, huh?” Teru said as a greeting.
Shou looked down at the shoes by the door. “Are your parents around?”
“No, they left for drier ground.”
“‘Kay, we got this, lead the way.”
As Ritsu led them to his brother’s room, he felt relieved they’d finally arrived. While normally he’d try talking to Shige on his own as usual, it was complicated when the issue was the damned conman. Ritsu had had no love for him, and most people knew that, so considering the current issue, he feared he’d be too biased, or say something he’d regret, instead of helping Shige, so perhaps leaving it to Shou and Teru would be wiser.
He opened the door to Shige’s room but chose to not enter with them, instead staying next to the door so he could listen in.
“Hey, Kageyama-kun, we heard the news,” Teru was speaking. “And we’re here to help you out of this funk.”
Ritsu nodded to himself. Yup, he was wise to call on them. All would work out —
“Sometimes parents need some extended time alone away from us, but that’s normal.”
Wait, what? The wind outside picked up.
“I mean,” Teru kept going, “mine left, but they still write. Sometimes. Usually checks. It happens, it’s hard taking care of esper kids, they get tired sometimes.”
The wind was so strong it felt like someone was physically banging against the windows.
“Right!” Shou added. “My mom didn’t take me with her, but she still talks to me. Well, she’s an esper so it’s different, but — ”
I wanted calvary, I called two Horsemen of the Apocalypse instead.
“Are you two insane?! ” Before Ritsu realized it, he’d rushed inside the room.
Mob was hunched on a corner of his mattress, arms wrapping over his knees and head down. Teru and Shou looked at Ritsu like he was the crazy one.
“What’s with you, little brother? Kageyama-kun needs to learn that as an esper, things like this are bound to happen.”
“Right, most people at Claw turned orphans because of non-esper parents. Why do you think Mukai—”
“ Reigen Arataka wasn’t his parent! ”
He was met with twin withering looks.
“Ritsu, now is not the time for semantics—”
“It’s not semantics! Reigen Arataka wasn’t his parent, which is why this is all too suspicious !”
“…What?”
Ritsu was already beginning to regret it, he should not be the one to have to defend that damn man.
…But the wind outside stilled, as if in baited breath, and Mob’s head slightly lifted from the cradle of his arms.
Ritsu sighed. He was going to be mature about this, for his brother’s sake, and say it. He hoped wherever Reigen was, he was suffering enough to justify putting Ritsu in this position.
“You’re saying non-esper parents sometimes leave because they can’t handle esper kids, right? Well, my brother isn’t Reigen’s kid to begin with. If Shige’s powers bothered him, all he had to do was not involve himself with a kid that wasn’t in any way connected to him. Yet he stuck around, for years.” Granted, it was mainly because he needed his brother to bring in money…
Shige had no reaction other than to let his head fall again.
Ritsu hoped Reigen was being tortured right now.
“Look, I… was never a fan of him—”
“That’s an understatement,” Dimple made its presence known by mumbling next to Ritsu.
“He’s immature, dramatic, selfish , underpaid you and is a fraud. But… there’s proof he did care , more than just for profit.” Ritsu pictured Reigen being dragged over hot coals, it helped . “There was that time he entered Claw’s hideout to get you out. And then w hen… when you were run over before trying to confess , didn’t he go after you ? And that was after he had Serizawa-san working for him . Look, he’s not the best person out there, but even I have to admit he did more for you than someone who only wanted you for profit would .” Sometimes.
There was complete silence, and Ritsu felt his face slowly flushing at the stares.
“...Thank you, Ritsu, but that isn't it.”
Four pair of eyes stared at Mob, now emerging from his between his arms, incredulously.
“It’s… not? What are you drowning the plants for, then?” Dimple asked first.
“...He’s a good person. He’s done a lot for me when he didn’t need to. I know he cares, even if not as much as I thou — ” Mob stopped before taking in a breath and continuing. “I’m upset because he didn’t hesitate. He didn’t wait at all. Ritsu, was he so miserable this whole time that it was that easy to leave? He’s been helping me for years and I… didn’t notice at all.”
The rain started back up again. Ritsu found himself sweating slightly. He’d assumed his brother’s issues were much simpler than they apparently were.
He hadn't needed to make a speech praising the conman, damn it .
“Shige, he might just be having a mid-life crisis and is coming back soon,” he ran his mouth, hoping if he spoke enough, something convincing would come out. Oh god, he's been gone a day and I’m already acting like him . “And with the way he’s such a prideful exhibitionist there’s no way Reigen-san wouldn't want to boast about finally getting rich! It’s not like him! He’s the type that would stick around to show off and invite us over to watch his success, not cut ties! And! I find it hard to believe he was that miserable. He stuck around through that shameful media fiasco, why run off now that everything's back to normal? Not to mention, he has more people helping him at the office now as well.”
Mob finally sat up on the futon with a sigh.
“I wanted to think that but… his decision is pretty final, I think.”
“What makes you think that, Kageyama-kun?”
Wordlessly, Mob took a crumpled letter from inside his shirt. He took a check out of it and handed it to Ritsu.
Ritsu looked down at it and saw white .
“ Shit , look at that... that’s 6 digits !” Dimple screeched. “Since when did that guy have this much?!”
“Maybe the real reason Reigen-san skipped town is because he murdered someone and took their money?” Shou suggested.
“He sold his apartment,” Mob said, and waved a paper in his hands when they looked at him quizzically. “It says so in his letter.”
“He managed to sell that hole in the wall in two days ?!” Dimple asked, which Shige ignored. Ritsu noticed that while they’d been busy gaping at the check, he’d gotten hold of his phone.
It felt like everyone was drawing their breath in unison as they watched him call Reigen’s number.
It went straight to voicemail without ringing once. The usual sign of being blocked. Ritsu was beginning to sweat all over again, but his brother only frowned.
“We need to find him, let’s talk to Tome-san.” Mob said simply, not seeming at all dispirited any longer. He stood up and placed a hand on Ritsu’s shoulder. “Thank you, Ritsu. You mentioned the times he helped me, and that reminded me of something.” Mob paused, clearly thinking things through. “I think it was all so unexpected I just couldn’t think clearly about what I have to do.”
“What are you planning, Ritsu’s bro?”
“Master Reigen once said to me that he didn’t hate daily life at the office. And he also said,” Mob flinched, “...something I should have paid more attention to, if I hadn’t been so self absorbed at the time. But the point is, maybe he was lying that time. And maybe he couldn’t leave before because he had nothing else to do. But now that he can be rich somewhere else, he would rather leave.”
Mob paused yet again. However, in the last ten minutes Ritsu had heard him speak more than he had in days, and didn’t dare complain about how long it took him to get the words out. The other three people (well, two and a spirit) also seemed to know him well enough to not dare hurry him up.
“But this isn’t like the Master Reigen I know. I shouldn’t be in bed doing nothing; I want to make sure he isn’t running from something and keeping it from me. And... if that’s not it… if everything was a lie… I want to at least apologize. And give back the money.”
Apologize? Ritsu frowned. While he was glad Mob was now getting out of bed with a resolute expression, he wasn’t so sure about the apologizing part.
But he couldn't ask now. Dimple was taking all the attention by screeching about not giving back the money and they had Teru and Shou there. He’d wait for later.
*
Tome walked into the office and groaned when she saw Serizawa was still in fetal position.
“Are you going to stay like that forever?!”
“Leave me be, Tome-san. I ruined everything.”
Tome would have kicked him, but he looked more pitiful than a lost puppy. Instead she raised her hands up in surrender.
“Fine! Not even a thank you for the dating profile either. Ugh. You know what? I respect you for this, Serizawa-san. I legit respect you for being able to fall for absolute trash !”
She sauntered over to Reigen’s desk and occupied herself, pretending not to notice Serizawa finally moving.
“He’s not trash,” he said in a reprimanding tone. Tome let out a theatrical yawn.
“Really? You certainly think so.”
“ What? I do not! Where is this coming from?” Serizawa was so indignant he actually stood up, hands clenched tightly.
Tome arched one eyebrow and placed her head between her hands, hopefully perfectly imitating Reigen’s I-know-this-and-am-superior posture.
“You think Reigen-san is such a disgusting asshole that he skipped town without so much as a goodbye to everyone he knew… because you had a crush? I mean, it doesn’t even make sense because he gave you the deed to his precious office, despite the fact that, in your mind, running away from you . Still, if that’s why he left, he’s quite the trash, huh?”
Serizawa deflated, with an expression that Tome could only describe as hopeful confusion. “... When you put it that way… this isn’t like him. It’s just… I’ve been wrong about people before.”
“Yeah well, dunno what happened with your last boyfriend—”
“Ah, no, I was referring to my former bos—”
“Whatever. My point is, I’m here now. And Mob will be too, if he can get his head out of his ass, to pass judgement alongside you.”
“I see.” Serizawa looked relieved for a second, before walking to the desk and frowning. “But if I wasn’t at fault, why did he leave?”
Tome rolled her eyes. Twice. “ That , my dear Watson, is what I’ve been trying to figure out while you and Mob were being useless. Well,” She glanced at the message just arriving on her phone and smiled, rubbing her hands together. “Seems like whatever Ritsu did work, Mob is coming over. Let’s finally get to the bottom of this!”
*
Mob jogged towards Spirits and Such, pace erratic in his desire to arrive quickly and make up for lost time.
Dimple was babbling on about uses of money that did not involve giving it back, but Mob ignored it.
Even though he had pockets, he held Reigen’s letter firmly in his grasp.
  “ Hey Mob,
It sounds disrespectful to address a letter to your nickname, but I think if I started this by addressing you as anything else, you might think it wasn’t me.
Anyway, if you haven’t been told yet: I’m going to be rich! Thanks to my old man, but still. I need to leave the office for it so I've taken care of my business and my apartment. The money you’re seeing is from the sale, by the way, not from anything suspicious (don’t let Dimple dictate how you use it).
You technically aren’t an employee of Spirits and Such anymore, and actually it’s not as if you ever signed a contract to begin with. However, money is the only thing I can give you, so that’s that, and I did owe you for years of underpaid work, with interest. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you anything else.
You’re fine without me, just take better care of yourself,
From your former Master”
Notes:
-“Hey Mob”: fun fact, the kanjis in Shigeo can be read as “Mobu”, so technically all Reigen would need to do was write Shigeo with the hiragana reading. This obviously doesn’t translate at all in english so I had to adapt the letter with that in mind.
-6 figure check: the money is in japanese currency, so while its still a large sum for a teen to receive, Reigen’s apartment did not sell for much.
-I am aware we do know what Reigen was doing before he got the office. The characters, however, do not.
-Trying to juggle between Ritsu's personality given his mindsets of "must protect brother" and "must look down on Reigen" was difficult. Hopefully I haven't made him out-of-character
-Feedback is appreciated, thank you for the kudos and comments so far!
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kondo-hijikata · 6 years
Note
Kondo x Hijikata: Prompt #18. things you said when you were scared
Pairing: Established Kondo/HijikataRating: MSummary: It’s spring in Nagareyama when Satcho surrounds the commander and his right-hand man. Only one can escape unscathed. The other is destined to fall. Hakuouki verse. Part 1. Written to Usuzakura no Yume.
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The Fall
“Then it’san order! Hijikata-fukucho!”It wasn’t in Hijikata’s nature to dwell on the hypothetical, or circumstancesbeyond his control.“Take the troops remaining here and rendezvous with the unit in Ichikawa.”…Still, it seemed safe enough to assume his demise was slated to greet him withthe clash of steel against steel…that his liberation from the bindings of fleshand bone would welcome him with his face pointed toward an infinite sky. Anybitter taste of regret that lingered would drift away in the wake of lifebleeding out from his wounds, as the stars beckoned him by name across adistance no longer so great. His eyes would close, the last breath would escape his burdened lungs, and hewould leave satisfied, knowing it had all been worth it and that he’d doneenough.By then, everything would be enough.“That is your assignment.”There was acknowledgement somewhere that this foresight so pretty of his finalmoments was romanticized to a certain degree, but the hope it gave him morphedinto oddly comforting promise. It was a vision which provided Hijikata anenduring faith; how he was destined to die would be as meaningful as the way helived. A true warrior, he’d ride out into infinity, trailed by glitteringtendrils of purpose and valor, of illustrious legacy and sung praises.And therefore…“Toshi.”…Therefore…“I’ve already made up my mind.”…as the protective threads of reverie violently unraveled and left his soulbare to an endless winter, the single acceptable conclusion he could draw wasthat the events transpiring now simply could not be real.“This is how it has to be.”For no nightmare so vivid, no delusion so irrational could have inspired him toconsider the end might arrive like this: standing paralyzed from avolatile cocktail of trepidation and panic, searching with despair the oneperson incapable of making him feel such a way. And yet…Kondo’s mouth had indeed moved. That command, forceful and impersonal, hadundoubtedly come from him. And Hijikata knew without hesitation exactly what itmeant.The commander had signed his own death sentence. But what Kondo hadn’t realizedwas that his willing sacrifice, though made with only the best of intentions, wouldcome at a cost of more than his own life.It would destroy Hijikata’s as well.
“…You’re…ordering me…?”The universe ticked in confounding ways. Half a minute ago, Hijikata was theperson he knew himself to be: unyielding, in control, spilling brash combativedemands to quell an outrageous suggestion. But all it had taken was the span ofthirty seconds to flip his entire world to ruin, to understand the suggestion wasn’ta suggestion, and have himself pushed into a place where he couldn’t bear to finishthat inquiry. Anguish–incredulity–colored the tremble in his tone soopenly that his own voice sounded alien.His brows twitched, a muted response to the anomalous cadence of unrecognizedspeech.“Toshi…” The piercing severity that had transformed Kondo’s perpetual warm eyeslessened and the corners of his lips hinted upward to a familiar smile ofresignation. “The commander’sorders are absolute, aren’tthey?”Of all the things that could have been spoken, that he’d chosen to say that…Hijikata’s shoulders dropped as his lungs forced the breath from his chest.It was as if Kondo hadn’t missed a beat, however–like he hadn’t just lit the matchthat was destined to burn the entirety of what they cherished and all they’d relentlesslyworked for to a sea of ashes. His demeanor once more assumed its characteristicgentleness, the shift so like him and yet entirely out of place underthese circumstances.The fine needlework that had stitched together the lives of commander and vicecommander for so long had begun to tear along an unbreakable seam. And still,as the threads ruptured and split off one-by-one, Kondo remained entirely calm, impassive.
It had onemeaning. His volition was sincere and his intentions impervious to outsideinfluence.Horrified, Hijikata merely riveted while Kondo’s quiet smile inched furtheroutward to his cheeks. His lashes fell with a single shake of the head.“Besides, this isn’t goodbye. They won’t find out who I am.”The lie left his tongue without an inkling of falter—stately and resolute, asthough the grace of daimyo blood had flowed through his veins since the momentof his birth. True to the part, Kondo stood tall and graceful with hisshoulders back, painting a living portrait of unbreakable composure before thesilent inward shattering of Hijikata’s ever-ardent fortitude.Rendered motionless, he for once could say nothing and could do nothing,except watch in terror while a merciless reality ripped everything he held dearright from his grasp. The better parts of Hijikata’s years had been spentnurturing and sheltering the few things he treasured deeply, holding tight to keepthem safe from harm and now…His breathing turned ragged as the reins of control escaped his fingertips, transientas open handfuls of sand in the wind. Every passing second brought an army ofmarching boots closer to this location, every moment chipping more and moreaway at an already crumbling foundation. And here even Kondo, the mostimportant part of his life, had begun slipping from his reach too.Hijikata knew he should have fought back then—should have lashed out, usedforce, done anything at his disposal to prevent this situation from devolving furtherinto madness. But in the face of such resolve (“Real warriors never go back ontheir word,” Kondo always said), his lips only trembled, his lashes remainingparted wide and unblinking.The decree was final. Kondo had given him a direct order. And as vice commander,it was Hijikata’s sworn duty to obey.A promise made long ago beneath a different sky thrummed through the passagesof time to reverberate within the present. “Iwill follow you anywhere, Kat-chan. The commander’s word is absolute. Rememberthat.”The commander’s orders are absolute, aren’t they? Toshi.This…wasn’t the way things were meant to be; a life’s worth of loyalty andcommitment had been vowed by him and to him. And while Hijikata affirmed his willingnessto do anything, he’d never dreamed it would mean discarding Kondo into therazor jaws of Satcho at some backwater town, only to save himself. Novels could be written of their years together, of the perfect balance thathad been effortlessly struck between them. It came naturally, Hijikata’sstrictness and unwavering logical mindset wrapping themselves lovingly aboutKondo’s flexibility and the turbulence of emotion which guided him. Theiropposing natures filled the other’s gaps, making up for where each lacked tocreate one complete whole.Now, at the abrupt and tragic end of their heroic story, their roles reversedin the bat of an eyelash and the scale tipped out of equilibrium. Torn betweenthe polarizing demands of responsibility and his heart, Hijikata found hebarely recognized himself.Where was his guiding logic, the fierce intolerance that grounded him?For years he’d justified every action no matter how brutal for the greater good,and readily dirtied his hands to keep Kondo’s clean. He’d sentenced men tocommit seppuku, went above and beyond the call of duty to secure the future ofwhat they’d created.Hijikata’s role had never been easy and his ruthlessness not without personalconsequence at night, when silence gripped him and there was too much time toreflect. However, it was his firm belief in the things the Shinsengumirepresented that enabled him to carry on as he had.In that sense, the decision Kondo had arrived at was valid. His surrender wouldmake the escape of the men remaining here more likely, and it was in the bestinterest of everyone for that to happen. Furthermore, it followed code; Hijikatahad set the rule that there would be no exceptions, that preservation of theShinsengumi took precedence over any individual’s life.But here, in this moment, he was on the cusp of a revelation. 
“Hijikata.” Five years ago, Serizawa’sscrutiny had bored through him. “Why thehell are you even here?”
…Perhaps, ithadn’t been the prosperity and liveliness of their organization, or even the nationalismswelling his heart, which drove him to those lengths after all. 
“Ain’t it obvious?! If ittakes a demon to secure his future, then a demon is what I’ll become.”
…Perhaps, it reallyhad all been for Kondo.
Right from the start, Kondo had been important enough, special enough, for Hijikata to justifybetting his entire life on. Just how far could an ambitious farmer’s son go inthis world? How many glass ceilings of classism could he shatter, how manypeople just like them could be moved by his success?
Hijikata had wanted to know, had wanted to see it happen with his own eyes. Helived out his own dreams through Kondo, content to shun the limelight and enjoytheir victories with the man he revered positioned front and center.If he was gone, what did anything mean? How could Hijikata continue on withhalf himself lost to a void, when the most important pieces of all weremissing?He had no answers to any of these questions, but the moments were racing by andtime was a luxury no one currently possessed.“Kondo-san,” he finally managed to grate out, disciplined enough tostill address him properly in the presence of Shimada and Yukimura.“It’s all right.” The apathy with which Kondo conducted himself remainedunprecedented. “Even if they see through it, my hatamoto status means theycan’t kill me easily.”Before Hijikata could begin to point out how ridiculous a statement that was,Kondo lifted his chin and gazed past him. “Shimada-kun, please escape withToshi. You and Yukimura-kun, split up and inform the remainder of the men hereto meet at the back gate. Make it quick.”Shimada’s exasperation was palpable. “Commander!”“That’s also an order.” Kondo’s insistence succeeded in remaining soft butcarried with it a clear message that his resolution wouldn’t be deterred. “Mycapture means nothing if you’re taken too. Go. I’ll be down to see you off rightaway.”Though Shimada had been standing behind him and out of sight, Hijikata couldtell how tightly his teeth were gritted from his response. “…Sir.”“Yukimura-kun.” Kondo nodded at her next. “Please help.”“Yes.” Her reply was hushed, but the heartache it carried resounded deeplythrough the air. “…Commander.”The hurried pattering of footsteps followed immediately when they descendedthe stairs in haste, and for the final time, Hijikata found himself alone withthe man he was incapable of parting from.Exhaling, Kondo’s shoulders fell after the pair disappeared and then he steppedforward. “Toshi.””Why?” Barely above a whisper, Hijikata’s voice retained impressive controlagainst the silent hysteria battering him raw, and he at last broke free fromthe entrapment of his shock-induced prison. A palm lifted to cup his mouth andhe let his head fall for but a moment to steady himself. Still, when his handslid away again, the words poured out unbridled with emotion. “This isn’t likeyou. You’re commanding me to—”Kondo’s movement stole the breath from his lips. Strong arms tugged Hijikatainto an embrace, familiar warmth enveloping him in the silent comfort it alwaysmanaged to provide. Inundated by the scent he loved most, Hijikata feltfingertips press to the base of his neck and slide up through his short locks,encouraging him to press his forehead unto a willing broad shoulder.He relented.“Ne, Toshi…” Kondo’s voice was low and soothing, as he kept one arm wrappedfirmly around him while continuing to caress his hair. “It’s enough already.” Hijikatadrew a choppy inhale. “You’ve run yourself ragged for years on end trying tospread my renown and now you’ve even become a rasetsu.” The stroking ceased.“…It hurts so much to see you like this.”While Hijikata made no move to lift his face, his hands finally raised. Digitspressed firmly into the material of Kondo’s kimono and curled in, until he hadfistfuls in his grasp. “What I’ve done…” His voice shook. “It’s torn at yourheart.”“No, that’s—”“Become samurai and serve the Shogunate,” Hijikata interjected, “Earn ourhonor, make something of ourselves…” His grip tightened. “I thought we could behappy together once we did that. Was I wrong?”He could feel Kondo’s frame slouch, then a nudge of the chin pressed just abovehis ear. “I’m so sorry. I did this to you, didn’t I? I pushed you to theselengths.”Hijikata’s head snapped up. “Don’t. Iwas the one—”“You were wrong.”His lashes parted a little wider at the softness Kondo wore in his expression,at the return of a smile both sad and gentle. The hand that had held the backof his head came forward and pressed to his cheek.
Beneath them,a stampede of boots began pounding the lower floorboards in quick succession.
“Toshi…” Kondo’s brows drew inward, his expression tightening as he gaveHijikata’s face a tender shake. “I was already happy.”
End of part one. Thanks for reading and sorry for the angst.
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nanashi1869 · 6 years
Text
🌼Flowers for my wounds🌸
(@kondo-hijikata @liuet in case you feel like reading it? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )
~Yes, woo what a surprise, a long rant about the Shinsengumi again, how original Nashi. ~
Why thank you, dear reader ;) In all seriousness though, all the previous rants I made were spoiler free and it made me ridiculously furious that I held back all the salt and awe I have in me just for the sake of not spoiling any potential newcomers. I’ve covered some of this in vague posts hundreds of times, but today I will break that habit, I will spoil this to hell and back and enjoy it just as much.  
You've been warned.
PS: I’m doing this entirely based on my memory and some snippets I’ve seen one time too many for my own good. Inaccuracies are bound to happen. 
As always, what better way to begin than with the infamous episode 33...
I'm kidding, today I'm starting by digging into the post office. As with the usual routine the theme to talk about with this wreck is - guilt. Guilt over losing money in a gamble like a complete fool, guilt over buying a book and being too big of a shit (with rather solid arguments) to admit it, guilt over making rules you can't break even though going through the consequences once was enough to make you regret it for the next few miserable years... (Yes I lied, inadvertently everything comes back to the foolish daffodils). But let's talk about our pure accountant who is one 'i' short of being nothing but cute. Let's talk about the edge they put us on a bit before the main event took place, when the (drama version) of the idiot trio tore that scroll. Never forget that could have been the reason for all our tears, yet in the end it still had to be some more complex scheme. An act with the convict being an innocent man and the true criminal roaming free, while Toshi had all the time in the world to steep in deep, raging self-denial over the legitimacy of his past actions and life choices, all the while ending up the scapegoat to whom all the anger can be directed towards. The subtlety with which we were deceived to think the "actual events" of episode 38 were to play out earlier is truly commendable. But with this drama nothing is ever easy. You get to know a new character, someone moves a chess piece and then instead of moving forward everything takes a step back and lets you seethe with nervousness because, without realizing, you've been tricked and have to wait for all the heartbreak a while longer. Takeda's resolve to keep to his decision, regardless of consequences, was in his eyes, completely justified. It did make sense to try and prevent Kano from buying the book for Ito in order to protect the group from his growing power, the action simply failed due to Toshi's own greed after it. Kawai innocently, perhaps naively, thought lending money more than once would not be punished in hopes his friends would be saved from harm. It is his kindnesses that is ultimately his doom and it is the unexpected, usually harmless twists in life that turn it into a spiral with no point of return. Takeda's following quest for redemption ends up being just as pointless as Kawai’s death - he is killed in an instant of hate directed at him, where the assailants are unaware of his reasoning for the justification of his friend's demise. The book too, loses value as Ito gets his own copy later on.
Most, if not all, tragedies in this drama happen because someone is trying to protect or shield - and idea, a person. Toshi's friends die because he must protect the order of the group for Kat-chan, Yamanami and Akesato have a rift in their final moments because they cannot be honest (likewise Souji and Hide), Kat-chan's relationship with Tsune suffers because he lies about Miyuki, Nagakura and the others write the petition to shield the group from Toshi and Kat-chan's (propensity) ego. The pattern is pretty clear.
I'm going to loop back to the script for just a second - watching this drama knowing what will happens adds a thrill, it makes you question when an event will take place even though you know the chronological sequence, because the “mini-arc” leading up to it has to be completed first and the tension must be just right. How long that is depends on the episode and event of course. But each arc is a stepping stone to a new point of no return.
I think, since I've mentioned him, I'll take a bit to talk about Ito as well. I love, love, love the confrontation Kondo and Ito have right before his death. It's absolutely stunning despite being simplistic in nature, because what Kondo states is in fact the very obvious truth and in no way some overly wise notion of the situation. However, it's that simplicity (to me) that adds to the charm of the scene. If you expected some courageous battle of wits, you might have been sourly disappointment, but otherwise - see the pattern? - what brings people to their knees is once again the basic things in life. Kondo’s sincerity, the fact that life is and always will be (mostly) separated into black and white for them. Farmers and samurai, poor and rich - they fit in a narrow grey zone, yet even there they are bullied, pushed away to leave. It's everything complex they're trying to achieve being haunted by little things. It's the desire and determination to be something big and more buried into the ground by the small things they were raised with, holding them back.
Ah, it’s about time this goo got to the good part.
No, it’s still not episode 33. Firstly because I’m sure everyone is tired of my whining about it and secondly because I like to leave best (in my opinion) for last.
This is for our Gargoyle and Tofu. Just imagine, for a second imagine that final hug again and bathe in it, then come back to me, okay? The wedding rings champagne caps and Toshi’s little grimace when he tries to convince himself ‘it’s not over yet’. (At this point I would just like to praise Mitani again for giving us closure with that hug, unlike some other shows I watch *side eyes knife pile*). I’m really glad the two of them got to hug it out before the whole deal blew up. Everytime a ‘Kat-channn’ or ‘Tossshii’ came around my heart melted a bit. THE DYNAMIC IS SO GOOD. (I get so, so jealous each time I see well written relationships between two guys. Doesn’t matter if it’s boyfriends/best friends/would-die-for-you combined or only one of these included. (*cough* NIF & Bleach for one *cough*) I don’t even know what to say! We all know Toshi would sacrifice the world for Kat-chan. We all know Kat-chan trusts him above all else. The guilt one feels and the content of the other having come so far together and being such a power combo…*noises*
I don’t even know how to put this.... (@kondo-hijikata help this is your expertise)
I’m going to move on to some more feathery stuff because I’m really at a loss about these two (analysing NIF’s LC/MCS has engraved so deep into me it’s ruined my perception for everyone else, I apologize).
Right, feathers…
I wrote about Serizawa and his issue of not being able to get over his “I’m a bad guy, therefore I must act like it” complex...somewhere before. I can’t find it, but I’m very sure that was once a thing. I know most people hate the man with a burning passion and part of me probably does too, yet the way he is presented also makes him fascinating, like he is very self-aware but cannot change anything about that (this is similar to Toshi’s “indifference” (we all know he actually cares) of his path to become the villain - he knows that what he is doing is morally wrong and has no intention of stopping). I feel like in the end both of them continued with “bad guy” roles simply because they were too far down that road to stop.
I would analyse Serizawa’s character more, but I honestly don’t remember much anymore. I did want to mention this though.  Toshi on the other hand…feels like someone who desperately wishes to rage quit everything, but keeps on going out of pure spite.
And since I’m speaking of our beloved vice-commander - one thing that opisses me off is that Kotetsu got mentioned, but the whole wow deal with Kanesada got dropped out, even in the movie. *cue bawling over that Katsugeki finale* I was hoping for that when Tetsu showed up dammit!
Am I tiring you yet? Come, sit down, have some tea Gen-san made because he is totally ok and alive an happy and you cannot convince me otherwise because the hugging thing did not happen. Period.
Lastly, because my mind is going blank this is quite long - the bane of my existence and the one thing (to me) more cursed than Ryoma himself. (I’m lying PMK upped this x100000 and I am not over that either. I’ll confess immediately I did not read the whole thing yet but this, this haunts me).
This stupid episode with it’s stupid ending and it’s stupid decisions. *insert me yelling about rice balls on the Mibugishiden review post* I mean what is it with this drama and ending brutally sad episodes with (unintentionally?) funny moments? *cue Toshi’s squeaky crying* I have covered my thoughts about Akesato here and here though and since that essentially recaps everything I want to say, I won’t repeat myself. (Thought you’d have to read through 5 more pages of me screaming? I did too before I forgot what I wanted to say.)
I might make a part 2 someday, if I think of more to say, but for now, I’m done, leaving you with this stressful mess. Feel free to add your own opinions, I’m really curious about what the rest of you think.
~Nashi out~
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marrymeserizawa · 4 years
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We lay in bed together. The room is transitioning into warm hues as the sun raises itself from its nightly slumber - the color that glows over us, a brilliant pink, belongs to my partner. Infallibly, it reminds me of him, no matter where I am or what I’m doing.
A gift for the author of Dear Serizawa-san :’) a definite fav! highly recommend it
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