#for some reason I thought I already did a Fushimi version of this but I couldn't find it

[ridiasfangirlings]

Had anyone sent an ask like this yet? Fushimi works at Freddy Fazbear's. How would he do? He's good at tech and stuff (although the animatronics being possessed might make things complicated). Oh, wait! How about Munakata? How would he react to a haunted pizzeria?

Fushimi trying to reprogram all the animatronics and getting progressively more annoyed because they’re possessed, like stupid vengeful spirits getting on his nerves XD Imagine AU Fushimi taking a night job as security at a pizza place, thinking this will be an easy way to make money without having to, like, interact with humans. He’s warned to keep an eye on the animatronics and Fushimi thinks this is stupid, sure the internet has rumors about the animatronics at this place being haunted but only an idiot would think that’s true. Of course as soon as the sun goes down the animatronics start moving and going after him, like say Fushimi left the security room in order to get a drink and nearly runs into one. The animatronic tries to grab him, intending to stuff him inside the suit and kill him, and Fushimi only escapes because he’s covered in knives and stabs it in the eye, causing what should be a short circuit. Instead the animatronic is only slowed down and Fushimi barely makes it back to the security room.

Imagine rather than freaking out Fushimi is just so annoyed, like this was supposed to be an easy job and now he has to deal with someone’s idea of a bad joke. He tries to use his own PDA to hack into the internal systems of the animatronics but it doesn’t work, even though the screen indicates the electronics inside should be dead the machines keep moving. Instead Fushimi only has the security console to use in order to keep the animatronics busy until morning and he’d actually probably be pretty skilled with this, we know his information processing ability is strong and I imagine this going kinda like the Mihashira Tower attack in ROK except the possessed animatronics aren’t as strong as Yukari and Sukuna were. Fushimi would just be setting off traps and closing doors all over the place, fingers flying over the console, constantly aware of where all the animatronics are and grinning when he destroys them. By the morning he’s exhausted and annoyed though, like he’s probably just waiting for the pizzeria owner to show up so Fushimi can stab him for making Fushimi work this hard all night.

Munakata would probably find a haunted pizzeria to be a splendid challenge, this is much more intellectually stimulating than simply doing security. Imagine some AU where he’s like agreed to do night security in place of an acquaintance or something, he’s told it will be a simple job and he just needs to watch the animatronics. Munakata settles back for an evening of doing puzzles in front of the security console when he suddenly notices that some of the animatronics appear to be moving. Maybe there’s like some other employee who was intending to sneak inside to steal from the cash safe and Munakata spots that person as well, just in time for him to view them getting killed by a possessed animatronic on camera. Now aware that these creatures do in fact appear to be sentient and hostile, Munakata also realizes that they are converging on his location and he must use all the tools at his disposal to reroute and trap them.

The whole thing would be very moody and scary for normal people but I see Munakata just approaching this like a puzzle that needs to be solved, he’s not terribly worried about being murdered and is instead enjoying the activity. I feel like Munakata would be pretty skilled at handling things too, like he may not have Fushimi’s level of computer processing but Munakata is still skilled at just about everything and even if he was only given a quick overview of the control panel he’s doubtlessly already memorized it just from that. I imagine him being pretty confident as he stops each animatronic, like this is more interesting even than his puzzle. Once the animatronics stop moving in the morning he ventures out all intrigued and starts looking over them, trying to deduce what made the creatures move. When he’s later told of rumors that the robots are possessed he just takes that in stride, after all he can’t complain when he had such an invigorating new experience (however this means there are likely other unsolved murders of past night shift workers which is unacceptable, Munakata must now gather evidence so that he can bring this evil pizza tycoon to justice).

#Fushimi Saruhiko #Munakata Reisi #Talking K #for some reason I thought I already did a Fushimi version of this but I couldn't find it #they would both be really good at this I bet #Munakata has no fear this is like a fun puzzle with murder for him #Fushimi's just annoyed and spiteful bc he was looking forward to doing nothing all night

[paper-mario-wiki]

Do you do farm stuff Scout? Or would you like to? Like owning chickens or tending an outdoor garden, that sort of thing?

From ages 7 to 19 I lived on farms, and was made to be an active participant in maintenance and usages of the facilities I don't know why the fuck I'm typing it like this, but I grew up on a farm. I was kinda in charge of everything, but slacked a lot and my brother had to cover for me. That said, I still spent a LOT of time doing chores.

At one point or another I've been responsible for most every farm chore you can really think of. All the basics like raking leaves, milking goats, collecting eggs, feeding chickens- but also the big stuff like moving tons of hay, herding flocks, caring for large animals such as llamas, alpacas, horses, and cows, as well as delivering babies, gutting and plucking fowl (only chickens and turkeys, though I've also cared for ducks and geese), dehoring, hoof cleaning, corpse transportation, crop maintenance, winter ice removal by breaking up frozen water troughs in 10 below weather (thought this was usually circumvented by anticipating the cold and setting up water heaters beforehand), constructing enclosures, slaughtering pigs, and etc etc etc etc etc all that shit. Bunnies snakes mini horses donkeys. All that shit. Farm stuff. Ya know.

Moved away when I went to college and immediately plunged into a mixed-zoning district in the Fushimi district in Kyoto. This was a really good transition from rural living to city living, because mixed zoning districts have blocks dedicated to apartment complexes and family homes right next to blocks of rice fields and ponds, which was behind the 7-Eleven I bought most of my food from.

Now I live in a SHITTY mixed zoning area in SHITTY America where we never stop hearing cars because there's a massive parking lot nearby and constant police sirens, not because the area is particularly dangerous, but because there's like 2 police stations nearby.

My ideal housing goal, which also happens to be my current goal in life, is to reach a slightly more rural version of the Kyoto living situation. The goals are very distinct:

0. I'm editing this one in after the fact to note that while I've used Kyoto as an example a few times in this post, I'm just looking for an area that feels right and would happily live in any prefecture that fits my needs.

I want to not be tied directly to a visa which would draw me away from doing whatever work I really want to do, like my student visa did later on when school started getting worse as professors were struggling to learn digital classroom mechanics. The visa I'm shooting for is dependent on a few ideas I have for businesses, but that's still kind of a long shot.

I want to be in a position of relative financial freedom so that I can spend enough time genuinely living there instead of just being tied to a computer all day, limiting me to the world I already know. This one's the big one, so I'm still workin on that. That said, recently I've been taking some pretty massive steps towards making this a more tangible circumstance. Fingers crossed.

I want to have a home that I own instead of renting, and I'd like to work with a Japanese architect to actually construct it. Again, these are big big plans, but I think a life goal is a thing worth thinking big about. And it's not like I'm trying to build a mansion, or even a family-sized house, I think I'd be content with three bedrooms, a kitchen, and common room. Of course, in keeping with the "dream big" spirit, in a world where I've got enough money to have a nicer, slightly bigger home, I can imagine as many as 5 bedrooms. It's nice to imagine in this "perfect" outcome that I've got a reason to have enough space for guests to sleep over. A local community, or an otherwise tangible, real-world web of relationships would be nice. Like, Real Adult Socializing Shit.

I want to have a significant emphasis on self-reliance on this home. As far solarpunk as I can reasonably go, without biting off more than I can chew as someone who's kinda limp-wristed. In a gay way and a feeble way. I figure this will come down to solar panels, water filtration, a well, and a garden (or at least the space to have gardening stuff like pots and soil). Some chickens would be nice too, but I don't know that I'd ever take on livestock proper.

I want to be properly submerged in trees without being more than a 5 minute bike ride from a train station. Somwhere like Yase-Hieizanguchi Station in north Kyoto is a good example of station that's on the edge of a metropolitan area and the forest. There was an apartment there I almost got, but backed out when covid hit cuz I decided moving across town would be a whack decision.

This is a BONUS goal, but I think it'd also be nice to not compromise on a single location, and instead have a home out in the inaka, while also having a small apartment rented in the city I can go between whenever I need to. In a world where I can afford a plot of land out in the country, but would still need to travel into town for business, that would be nice. Though in that scenario I'd likely need to also take on the arduous task of getting a Japanese drivers license. If I know far enough in advance that I want to take this specific route then I could bypass that last one by getting an international license before moving to Japan, but after moving to Japan you're barred from getting an international license.

I couldn't tell you in honesty that I'm a Salt of the Earth, Red Blooded American Farmer in my heart, and in fact I could not WAIT to move away from the farm. I hated that I didn't have a say in living on a farm, and was made to take care of animals. But what I DID enjoy about that life was the stillness. The opportunities of perfect silence. The stars unobstructed by light pollution. The ability to explore. Those things I was incredibly grateful for. And as such, in my perfect world, I would like to live on something like a farm again one day, just on my own terms.

#anon

[1-lightofjustice]

You feel uncomfortable about Scepter 4 year-end track, is it because you're Reisaru shipper and in that track Fushimi ditched Munakata to chase Misaki? You know that the track was made by Yellow, one of official GoRa's members, right? The track is, sadly for you, canon.

Fushimi ditched Munakata? Oho, I support it fully. Like hell, sometimes on Drama CDs or short stories (especially Gakuen K) Fushimi is so tolerant with Munakata's shenanigans and made me want to scream "just kick him and run away Fushimi!" (Case point : Munakata fishing trip, Munakata got handcuffed, Munakata's King Game, Fushimi became Santa Claus). And for me, the fact that Fushimi can refuse Munakata and willing to do so without any fear or hesitation is the cute and healthy point of Reisaru. He already coldly rejected Munakata many times you know, like when he refused to accompany Munakata on his hobby because it reminded him of the time when he was roped by Totsuka into various activities, he refused to play cheese with Munakata, he refused to see autumn falling leaves together with Munakata on their day off, etc. So yeah, the fact that Fushimi ditched Munakata to chase Misaki didn't bother me at all.

So what made me feel uncomfortable for this track? Just one word, Timeline. The explanation is a bit meta-y so if you don't want read my rambling, the short answer is there's discrepancy with the main canon timeline, and while it's not impossible, the implication made me uncomfortable. Again, not impossible but hella uncomfortable for me. For full explanation....

See, for me, since most of K Drama CDs are mostly gag tracks, the ones that I treat as canon are Drama CDs that I think can be slotted in canon timeline. Drama CDs like Crow's Repayment, Snow White, and Izumo's Room are definitely not canon because there's no way those were happened on main timeline situation. Drama CDs like Everything Sank Except Me and That Guy and Munakata Fish The World is obviously placed after ROK (since Munakata got weakened like he can't pull a tire and Sarumi's improved relationship). Other drama like Munakata-kun's Strap, Elevator, or For Justice can easily be slotted in pre-anime or even post season 1. Window Shopping, Figure Direction, and Private Hero are obviously pre-anime by the casual appearance or mention of Mikoto and Totsuka. There are Drama CD that used as blatant promotion of K Project, like Guys Meeting in The Shower and it's Girl Version counterpart which completely break the fourth-wall by "Hey we are bunch of K boys in K world let's we dip in hot water and talk" which is definitely not gonna happen in canon.

So what category is YEP (Year End Party) Drama CD? It's logical enough to happen on canon. It didn't break any fourth wall. If we assumed that YEP Drama CD is truly happened on canon, on what period it's happened? It's definitely on pre-ROK, and by the casual mention of Mikoto, can it happen on pre-Season 1?

The answer is no. Why? Because unlike other Drama CD who has no mention of time as our foothold, YEP Drama CD has two hints about the specific time it happened. First, it's about year-end party, so the drama CD was happened on the end of December. Second, by the mention of ABCDEFGH as a squad that was expected to come by Munakata, it means that Scepter 4 Special Ops Squad was already formed, since before it ABCD were leaders of 1st-4th platoons and EFGH were ordinary swordsmen of 4th platoon. Is it impossible for them to have casual gathering together? No. Is it impossible for them to get grouped together on formal gathering with their boss? Yes. Because based on Scepter 4 structure, they were not a group yet, they were not even on the same platoon. Like, if EFGH was invited, how about the rest of 1st-3rd platoons? How about the 5th platoon leader and members? (Poor 5th platoon, they didn't get any screen time except a brief mention on Season 1 episode 8). And before Special Squad was formed, Fushimi is just an ordinary rank on Intelligent Division, so why did he come to gathering for Scepter 4 bosses and leaders of Swordsmen platoons, with bunch of troublemakers from 4th platoon? (I mean, yeah he is Munakata's favorite and the King's private soldier, but that was not.... an official title). The Drama CD with the mentioned casts was not logical to happen if Fushimi and ABCDEFGH was not yet grouped under a special group, which is currently named Special Ops Squad.

Now when we established that YEP drama CD happened on late December, before ROK and after Special Ops squad was formed, let's look at the detailed timeline of K :

Special Ops squad was formed on Side Blue, detailed time was on 1st May 2012. Fushimi particularly joined Special Ops Squad and became the third-in-command on 6th June 2012. So the mentioned casts (Special Ops Squad) plus Awashima and Fushimi were expected to have Year End Party together with Munakata, it certainly happened on late December 2012. And what happened on December 2012? Apocalypse well quite almost close to that. On 7th December 2012 Totsuka was dead, and 12 days after, on 19th December 2012 Mikoto was dead, killed by (a very unwilling) Munakata. So if YEP drama CD happened on 23-31 December 2012, more or less a week after the end of Season 1 and Mikoto's death, then...

-Scepter 4 ditched Munakata even thought they were aware that more or less a week before their King killed his friend. If the rest of squad didn't know about Mikorei's relationship, then at least Awashima knew how hard mental blow that was received by Munakata on K Season 1. Yet she still ditched Munakata. I don't know what happened on previous YEP, but would the ever loyal Awashima ditched her King when she knew that Munakata was very possibly on his sad and hurtful period?

-Fushimi taunted Yata with mentioning Mikoto just more or less a week after Mikoto's death. Sure we knew that Fushimi could taunt Yata even after Mikoto's death, but (I hope) he didn't specifically search for Yata and taunt him with how Homra and Mikoto is suck just after Mikoto's death. On canon, after Mikoto's death Fushimi avoided the hell of Yata and Homra, on Missing King Yata called him first, and on ROK, their meeting was coincidental.

-I love Scepter 4 as a whole, and I particularly love Munakata and Fushimi on the same degree. But my love for each of them is a little different. I love both of them to be happy of course, but if Fushimi got flooded with angst, I will feel "oh yeah Fushimi angst, mmm delicious, give me more" but if I stumbled upon Munakata angst I will feel "noooo don't be sad, I don't want him to be sad, please someone fix it!" Yeah sorry Fushimi XD. And that is the reason why I can't enjoy Mikorei after Mikoto's death, because watching Munakata's constant brooding over Mikoto's death is damn uncomfortable for me and I can't even feel sad along with him for Mikoto's death (I don't hate Mikoto, but I am indifferent about him). So yeah, hearing how Munakata sounded genuinely upset when Scepter 4 members ditched him, when Fushimi ditched him, when I heard Munakata's lament that he was alone on the end of video, when more or less a week before he killed his friend, I can't enjoy it. I can't laugh for Munakata's misery, I feel uncomfortable as hell instead.

Please note, just I said, the track is not impossible to be canon. Is it possible for Awashima and the rest of Scepter 4 members to be annoyed enough by Munakata to ditch him even though not long ago Munakata killed his friend and almost died in the process? Yes. Is it possible for Fushimi to taunt Yata with Mikoto after Mikoto’s death? Yes. Is it possible for Munakata to be left alone in a bar? Yes. BUT, as Fushimi, Munakata, Awashima, and overall Scepter 4 fans, that kind of portrayal makes me uncomfortable so much, especially since I valued Scepter 4′s bond so much and don’t care (or you can say quite disliked) about Sarumi’s taunting and fighting, also Munakata angsting over Mikoto. Also if the lack of Yata’s anger and depressed over Mikoto’s death means that the Drama CD happened before Season 1 a.k.a December 2011 (Fushimi joined Scepter 4 on October 2010, so December 2010 would be his first YEP and he shouldn’t know about previous party), then as Scepter 4 nerds I need explanation why only ABCDEFGH, Fushimi, and Awashima that was expected to come when they were not on the same squad before and Fushimi even just an ordinary member of Intelligence Division that rarely associate with Swordsmen Squad as Hidaka pointed out. Compare that to another Scepter 4 annual event like Flower Gazing that included Zenjou, Yayoi, and even we can assumed that there are other Scepter 4 member joined on flower gazing on other places. Also, Flower Gazing as annual event is already mentioned 4 times but there's no mention of Scepter 4 year-end party except on that Drama CD.

Speaking about portrayal, I also don’t like some of jokes on that track. Namely when Munakata said that he installed surveillance camera on Scepter 4 dorm, Awashima’s dorm to be exact. I knew that Munakata is an S and can quite ignore the concept of privacy and personal space, but as a boss and a man, just like Fushimi said, that action is a crime. And not the funny one. Awashima should and must protest for that, no matter how loyal she is to Munakata. And Fushimi as the main advocate of privacy and personal space should not accept that kind of behavior from Munakata and didn’t let Munakata be with just a simple protest. Honestly, if I have a boss who pulled that stint of me, no matter how amazing he is, I will lose my respect on him. And I respect the hell outta Munakata. I will not say that the track is mischarasterized Munakata, since as you said Kabei Yukako (Yellow) is the writer and she wrote an amazing Munakata in LSW and Sand Castle story, but maybe she played with fandom jokes “tyrant Munakata” a little bit too hard.  So yeah, I prefer if that track, especially that particular aspect, is not canon. 

Not that I hate the whole track of course. I like some trivia about Scepter 4, especially the ones that was confirmed canon on other materials like Awashima loves plushies and Benzai has younger sister. I also like when Fushimi can baffle Munakata with his card trick. But still, Scepter 4 YEP Drama CD is uncomfortable for me. 

Also track like Megane of Blue is also written by Gora Orange, it didn’t break the fourth wall or seemed happened on alternate universe, but you don’t actually believe that in canon Munakata truly became crazy if he lost his glasses right? Especially since we already got 2 glasses-less Munakata and he turned out just fine (three if you count Optician Drama CD, which is canon since it was mentioned on Countdown). On drama CD, script writers often exaggerate characters to create a joke, either Gora or non Gora.

#k project #Munakata Reisi #fushimi saruhiko #yata misaki #Awashima Seri #SCEPTER 4 #Drama CD #munakata reisi defense squad #k meta #meta #since I am on comic fandom now #I am quite skilled with choosing and picking canon #especially with the absolute mess of Batman comics #DC... #and K project are also written by various people #so even among GoRa members #they can have different perspective #you didn't have to agree with my opinion anon #just so you know that I don't simply reject a content #out of hatred for a ship #and I even like Sarumi post-ROK #if any of you have different perspective and treat that track as canon #feel free to do so

[momorabu]

28.01.2018

Ensemble Stars! Event Story - Kiseki★Blitzkrieg Autumn Live / Revenge Match (Part 1)

Decided to read this and translate this as I wanted to start reading the “SS” event story after that. (Still currently reading that though~ It’s a lot of chapters to read through~) Maybe there’s already a full translation floating around online but I just want to share my version of it as well as my thoughts about this story overall, since it’s about my favourite unit Trickstar and of course the new rival unit - Adam!

As the event story is really long, I’m splitting it into two parts. Below is Part 1.

Anyway as always, the summary of the story can be found below. Translation may not be 100% accurate due to my poor Japanese skills~

Prologue

Trickstar and “I” had arrived at Shuuetsu Academy, with Subaru stumbling over the pronunciation of the school name. We’ve been to many schools as the time went by, that Subaru found it hard to remember all the school names. He remarked that the school name sounds normal since as their main rival “Adam” studied here, Subaru had expected the school to have a name that sounds more badass, like “Genocide Academy”. (Which school would have such a scary and deadly name like this?! The government might even shut it down just because of the name seriously ^^;) Hokuto sighed and told Subaru that even though Adam is their enemy, it doesn’t mean that they’re evil, and Makoto added on that Adam is the brother unit of “Eve”, another unit which had defeated them badly during the Summer Live event. (You can click here (Part1) and here (Part 2) to read more about it!)

Makoto felt scared going up against Adam this time, which Mao said that he could understand his fear since it would definitely be a tough battle this time as Adam would not be any weaker than Eve for sure. He had thought that though it’s a high possibility that they might lose, they would definitely give in their all in this battle. Mao had wanted to test how much they’ve improved since their last battle with Eve, and if they managed to win this time, it would be a revenge to their defeat during Summer Live. It would also be a test to see how much they could fare in the SS at the end of the year, which they’ve planned on winning.

Hokuto was worried about “me” tagging along with them, telling “me” that it was actually alright for “me” to head back to the hotel and rest as we just had a long journey to come here. As the actual live event was to be held a week from now, Hokuto wished that “I” won’t tired “myself” out early in the week before the event had even started. Subaru started getting excited, exclaiming that this was the first that he gets to stay in a hotel for a long period of time even though Trickstar had been going out of school frequently to participate in battles. He even suggested that we have pillow fights and play trumps at night, which Hokuto dissed him that he’s treating this like a normal school trip ^^;

Hokuto noticed that the school seems to be really quiet on a Sunday, which may be a norm for most school, but for Yumenosaki Gakuen, the school was always lively with people and activities even on a Sunday usually. Their school had even held dreamfes on the weekends, which was the main reason why the school was even lively in those days. 

Makoto remembered that there isn’t any school council in Shuuetsu Academy, and thus there isn’t any need to carry out club activities usually. As the students’ schedules were was mostly managed by the school’s management agency, they won’t be able to carry out live events that were not official due to work, and thus it may be the norm that the school has no activities and is quiet on a weekend. Subaru wondered what the students would do on a Sunday if there are no club activities, thinking that they might just hang out with their friends instead. 

Makoto answered that a group of “elite students” exists in Shuuetsu Academy and its other affiliated academies (such as Reimei Academy too), and were considered the top elites in this school, being treated like an idol already at this point of time. Mao guessed that these students would definitely have all their schedules managed by the agency and thus it was hard for the different schedules to match in order to even have a common time to hold an event together. It was definitely a different “world” from Yumenosaki Gakuen now, where its club activities and other school rules where one had to be forced to participate in events would be considered as “nonsense” by the other schools.

Hearing Mao’s explanation, Makoto started to get even more worried about meeting Adam, thinking that perhaps conversing with them would be like talking to someone from another world. Since “I” had the contacts of Adam, Mao asked “me” to contact them to let them know that we’ve arrived, remarking that it seems that the other school doesn’t seem welcoming since there was nobody at the school gate to welcome them (which he added that he actually felt it was better this way since they could just spark their rivalry straight away... Don’t fight Mao ^^;) 

Another World / 異境: Chapter 1 - 3

We entered the school building, which Makoto remarked that the place seems like an abandoned ruin even though it was newly built due to the absence of people in it, even saying that it seems like something had happened which made everyone disappear... Mao noticed that Adam’s meeting room was right at the end of the corridor, and thus told us that we shall head over there for now. Realising that Adam even had their own meeting room, Hokuto deduced that Adam must be a group in a high position in the school, which Makoto answered that he had checked on it and knew that this was one of their benefits as the “elite students”.  (Well... They’re the top in the idol world for their age group so it’s kind of obvious... ^^;) Other than their own meeting room, the “elite students” also have their own practice rooms as well as their own personal facilities in various parts of the school. Mao was very impressed by such benefits since it was even hard for them to book a practice room usually in their own school ><” Makoto added on that the facilities and rooms were maintained and managed by other students in the school who were not elite students. The rooms were specially catered for the elite students to use for their idol activities, whereas the rest of the students were being treated as slaves, these were what Makoto had got to know from Jun. (Ooh, so the two of them did chat in private after the Summer Live event +W+)

Makoto explained that because of this system, the other students would work hard as they want to be one of the “elite students” too. Even though the Trickstar members might not agree with such a system, Hokuto urged them not to make a fuss about it since technically, they’re not students in Shuuetsu Academy anyway, and it would seem that they’re busybodies if they remarked that the school’s system is weird. However, Hokuto said that they might be able to prove to the world that Shuuetsu Academy’s system is wrong if they win at the SS, which may lead to the school to consider about changing their system later on. Mao remarked that as much as they might feel that Shuuetsu Academy’s system is wrong, he isn’t confident to say that Yumenosaki Gakuen’s system was 100% right either, as their schools operate like how a competitive society did with those dreamfes, which Mao knew that some of the students were still not used to it. What they should do now was to adapt to their new environment~

Suddenly, Tsumugi appeared in front of them, giving Subaru a shock. He was here as part of the support staff to work outside of the school, as the school had sent multiple teachers and students to help out as the support staff. Subaru remembered that it was a must for at least a teacher to tag along with them for any activities/events that were to be held out of school since Akiomi Sensei accompanied them during the Summer Live event. (But... Subaru... If you called Akiomi “Nugi Nugi” sensei, he’s going to be mad... *If I’m not wrong, it sounds like stripping sensei? OAO”*)

The support staff were called as Shuuetsu Academy had called for additional help, saying that if anyone was interested in tagging along was welcome to do so. They required additional staff to help out in the stage area and had also put up notices for part time jobs as well. Tsumugi had come along because he was in a close relationship with Nagisa from Adam in the past. and since Trickstar had lent Tsumugi a hand during the “Night of the Pleiades” (I haven’t read that event story yet though ><”), he decided to return the favour this time. He told us that Fushimi had tagged along too as he was being requested to by Eichi, (I guess it’s just Eichi’s order ^^;) and was helping us in tidying our luggage at the hotel that we’re going to stay in. Mao thought that it was a rare sight that Fushimi was not working under the order of Tori, but guessed that he must be unable to reject the request of Eichi ^^; (So I guess I was right in thinking that it sounds like an order ^^:)

As it seems that it was under Eichi’s order that we moved to a hotel that was under the management of Eichi’s family, Hokuto wondered perhaps this was a plan of Eichi to make such a change suddenly. 

(Hokuto remarked that Eichi must be thinking of an evil plan, to which Tsumugi could only give a weak smile and said that Eichi had totally be treated as an evil character by the others ^^; I guess Tsumugi probably doesn’t feel good that the others were talking about his friend like this ><”)

We started talking about the proposal which “I’ve” made for the Autumn Live event this time. As “I’ve” even titled the proposal as “Revenge Match!”, Tsumugi guessed that “I” must be motivated to give a revenge to Adam and Eve after Summer Live event. Subaru gave a weak smile and replied that it seems that “I” had gone through a hard time during the Summer Live event and thus all pumped up in preparing for the event this time. Hokuto felt that this event was a great chance for them to check how much of a difference in terms of their talents and skills differ from Eden, as by battling with Adam, they would be able to understand what they lack in and prepare even more for the upcoming SS.

Subaru noticed that Hokuto would speak in formal tone to Tsumugi, which Hokuto replied that he would respect those that deserve to be respected, as after all Tsumugi was considered a senior to them. However, he wondered why he was unable to speak in formal tone to Eichi, and guessed that rather than respecting him, Hokuto felt that he was probably looking down at Eichi most of the time OWO” (I like Tsumugi’s comment to himself XD “This child is too honest to the point that it’s brutal.”)

Tsumugi told them that Nagisa was probably someone who doesn’t really care if people talks to him formally or not, since even though he’s on par with Hiyori in terms of talents and skills, he’s someone who’s not really interested in the society, unlike Hiyori. If one were to describe them, Hiyori would be similar to a person from the royal family, whereas Nagisa is more like an animal, as one is hard to grab hold of what he’s thinking about and would rather be left alone for an entire day. Tsumugi had felt than Nagisa seems more alike to the five oddballs rather than a member of Fine, as he had a similar mentality as the five oddballs and doesn’t really care about following the rules of the society. 

Subaru started to get interested in meeting Nagisa after hearing about him being more alike to the five oddballs since he felt more at ease and confident in getting along well with him now. However, there’s a lack of information on Nagisa even when Makoto tried to check up on him, as even though there are interviews about him and social media where he’s active on, it sounds like he was just reading a script for the interview and someone was posting on the social media in his place. 

Mao urged us not to have a biased thinking about Nagisa before we had even met him, as it’s best for us not to comment on other people’s business without control being their guests. He remarked that he realised that the proposal had changed quite a lot from its original intent, as it initially seems to be planned as a battle against Adam. However, it’s something which Trickstar had to face one day since they would have to go against both Adam and Eve as Eden during the SS after all. (Well, since they’ve only interacted with Eve till now, they would have to interact with Adam to understand about Eden’s other half ^^;) Mao remarked that the edited proposal had been changed in a way that rather than them going against Adam, they’ll be working together with them instead, which is quite similar in Summer Live event. 

Anyway, the autumn live event would start after a week, where Trickstar would participate as a guest to the event. Since the autumn live event would involve not just Shuuetsu Academy but other affiliated academies as well, Subaru wondered perhaps Eve from Reimei Academy would participate as well. However, Mao replied that as Eve was really proactive in promoting themselves, they would be very busy as they had a lot of work to do such as appearing more on TV ^^; He added that the autumn live was a large event that’s similar to the scale of an S1 event in Yumenosaki Gakuen, and they would just be participating as one of the units in it, and thus it isn’t a straight-up battle against Adam 1-on-1. Therefore, things were not what to what we’ve planned as a revenge, which Mao sighed and remarked that he guessed that things aren’t going to be that easy and proceed smoothly as what we’ve expected. He had felt that there was something amiss with the current situation but wondered that this was just him over-worrying. Subaru was not worried at all though and was instead excited in knowing what kind of people were in Adam, which Mao cautioned him not to step onto people’s boundaries and sensitive area easily like an idiot ^^; 

(But then again, Mao also mentioned that as long as he’s with Subaru, he won’t get bored knowing that they’re getting involved in one trouble after another... Is this a praise or not Mao? XD)

We entered the meeting room, and Subaru immediately started touching around being all excited and ended up being lectured by Hokuto. Mao was surprised to find that no one was there and asked Tsumugi whether Nagisa had got in contact with him since the two of them knew each other. Tsumugi sighed and answered that he had tried calling Nagisa several times, but wasn’t able to get in contact with him. Just then, we heard a vibration coming from “my” phone, and thus it was advised that “I” answer this call in case it was someone from Shuuetsu Academy wanting to get in contact with us. (Turns out that “I” had already met Adam and talked with them before OWO”)

The call was actually from Ibara who was from Adam. and had requested us to head to the school garden to meet him. Hokuto felt that it’s going to make their walk to the meeting room a wasted trip as we would have to head back where we were again near the school gate. Subaru wondered why we couldn’t just stay in the meeting room and wait for Adam to arrive since in the end we/’re going to have a meeting in this room anyway. 

Another World / 異境: Chapter 4

Thus, the whole group walked back to the front gate again. Thankfully, the school isn’t really big as Mao remarked that the size of Shuuetsu Academy was just 1/3 of Yumesaki no Gakuen. Hokuto commented that there isn’t a need for this school to be very large actually since the facilities and rooms were only catered to the elite students and none of the other students. (I wonder how do the other students practise or learn in school seriously OAO”)

Suddenly, a large vehicle drove towards them. It was a large tank, and out came Ibara, who launched into an enthusiastic introduction upon seeing us. He explained that as the school wanted the students to learn in a quiet environment far away from all the noise, they had decided to build in a place that’s far away from the city. Ibara had decided to go to the train station to pick us up, but we ended up missing each other and he was apologetic about it. 

Ibara was someone who was quite dramatic as he blamed himself for missing to pick us up, even mentioning that he wanted to bury himself in a hole. He was also really honoured to meet us, saying that it's dream to be able to talk face to face with Trickstar, even asking for a handshake as he claimed that he’s a great fan of them. Hokuto felt shocked as Ibara was even more proactive in getting close to them than he had expected. Since Adam and Eve together were the top idol group for their age group, Hokuto had expected them to be cockier in the way they spoke, but Ibara was very different. He was all polite and even addressed and praised every single member. 

Tsumugi approached Ibara, asking him why Nagisa had not get in contact with him as he was worried about him. Ibara was confused for a moment, but he soon recognised that the person who was talking to him was Tsumugi from ex-Fine. He explained that Nagisa was deeply immersed in his interests and probably forgotten about their meeting, and assured us that he’s going to “collect” him along the way later on. (Why does Ibara make Nagisa sounds like some waste object waiting to be collected ^^;) He guessed that since Nagisa was interested in digging for stones, he would be very dirty, and thus told us to wait for him while he gets cleaned up later on. (Ibara would call Nagisa by a term “your lord” or something, which even though he claimed that it’s embarrassing, it’s a term that he used to use since he was very used to the military style ^^;)

Another World / 異境: Chapter 5 - 6

Back in the school building, Subaru changed into their training outfit and wondering whether the outfits were designed by “me” as they were similar to the ones that they used to wear in Yumenosaki Gakuen. Ibara praised Subaru for how perfect he suits in the training outfit and told him that since he’s good-looking, he looks good in anything ^^; Subaru wanted Ibara to get changed too so that they can sing a song together in order to judge each other’s skills, but Ibara changed the topic to referring to Subaru’s nickname for him instead, being interesting in his communication skills with others. Subaru isn’t pleased that Ibara was just praising him regardless of what he said, as it felt even more like Ibara isn’t listening to him at all. Ibara assured him that he does want to get along with them, which is why he had invited them to his school. 

Makoto caught up with them, telling them that if they moved around separately on their own, they might end up being lost as they’re still new to this school and not used to the environment. Hokuto joined them too, agreeing with Makoto had said that told them that they should avoid being alone when we’re on the enemies’ turf. (Should you be saying this right in front of Ibara? ^^;)

Ibara isn’t afraid to admit to them that he had already performed a check on Trickstar’s activities, as he said that Trickstar had gone around and battled with popular idols all around the whole country. He assured them that he wanted to avoid fighting with them as much as possible right now, and wanted all of them to get along well together. (Is it me or it just sounds suspicious coming out from Ibara’s mouth =w=“) Hokuto coolly answered that this sounds very different from what Eve had told them, and from the name “Adam”, Hokuto had thought that they would be a manlier unit which launches ruthless attacks. Ibara answered that the image of their unit was just a strategy to fulfil the desires of the audiences, and thus they would morph themselves to the image of the “males” that was desired when needed. 

Ibara explained to them that Nagisa was actually someone who was reserved and doesn’t socialise well with others and was also someone who isn’t used to fighting against other people as well. This made Makoto interested and also realised that they had not met Nagisa yet until now, which Ibara answered that since Nagisa was all covered with dirt when he found him just now, it would take him awhile to wash off all the dirt from his body. Tsumugi was accompanying Nagisa now to help him clean himself, just in case Nagisa went missing again. He sighed and said that Nagisa was someone who just does what he likes, which Ibara doesn’t really approve but he would close an eye on it since Nagisa was someone who had the talents and skills which he needed.   

Now that they know where Tsumugi was, Hokuto wondered Mao and “my” whereabouts instead. Subaru answered that both of us had taken this time to deliver some paper works to the staff room. Ibara explained that while the “elite students” were free to do what they like outside of their schedules, the other students who made up as the support do not have a break throughout the year. He assured us that even though the support would be operating 24/7, the school still follow the rules of letting the students take a break by operating in shift works and giving off days to them as long as someone takes over their work. 

Ibara decided to give them a tour around the school as it would be a waste if they just stand around in the corridor and talk all day while waiting for the others, telling them that he would try to bring them to as many places as he could enter. Subaru was surprised to know that there are places that Ibara wasn’t able to enter since he had thought that there shouldn’t be any places forbidden to him since he’s part of the strongest unit in this school. Ibara gave a weak smile that as much as he can be considered a powerful figure in school, he can’t exactly enter personal boundaries of other elite students/staff ^^; He also remarked that even though they might be students with a high position in school, they’re still students after all, and can’t go against the orders of their management agency who was in charge of the school.

Hokuto remarked that Hiyori had also mentioned about the agency, and noticed that even someone who doesn’t seem to care about others’ actions, Hiyori had to obey to the instructions of the agency no matter what. Makoto commented that their agency would be similar to how the Trickstar members viewed their own school since they’re also managing them now like how the agencies manage their idols. Ibara shook his head and commented that though Yumenosaki had gotten better ratings in the past few years, he felt that that school was still not used to handling idols in terms of managing them, saying that the school is too late by 10 years in wanting to start a producer course now, and even then, they only have one student... (which is “me” =w=“)

He then started explaining how all the students in his school and the affiliated schools were all managed by the management agency (named “Cosmic Production”). He even welcomes the Trickstar members to switch over to be under his school’s agency if they do not agree with the way Yumenosaki Gakuen manages them. This was actually possible, since even though the student were enrolled under Yumenosaki Gakuen, officially they were not under any production company, and were free to join any agency they were interested in. (For example, Arashi is someone who is enrolled in Yumenosaki Gakuen but belonged to a modelling agency.)

Makoto had decided not to join any production company currently as he felt that he already had his hands full in human relationships with people he had known from his unit, tennis club and broadcasting club, and thus felt that it would get more complicated if he had joined a production company. Anyway, Makoto felt that if he joined a production company, he would feel that what he is doing seems even more like a job as he would have to comply to what the agency wants, and preferred to be more relaxed like how he is now. He clarified that these were just how he feels towards agencies though, and if Subaru and the rest felt that it’s better to join one, Makoto would not stop them from joining as he could understand the merits of being under an agency.

They discussed furthermore on agencies, with the topic talking about Makoto revealing that he was once under one when he was working as a kids model when he was young. He said that it was the norm that idols and models were under the management of agencies, the students in Yumenosaki Gakuen were considered special cases instead. (Though there were also other idols who choose not to be under any agencies as they preferred to manage themselves personally, they were considered the minority and they only participate in small events.) 

Ibara decided to bring the topic back to talking about his agency instead, telling them that for now, Trickstar would be temporary under the care of Cosmo Production and became the “elite students” of the school, since it would be easier for the paperwork to clear for them in order to access the various locations in the school. He assured them that they’re free to leave the agency after Autumn Live event if they do not want to be involved with the agency, and handed them the “proof” that would grant them access to most areas, a tablet which belongs to the agency. These tablets were given to all students who were under the agency, and Ibara cautioned them to take good care of it, as if one loses it, they would have to pay for a replacement OWO” 

(As Makoto was a fan of electronic devices in general, he quickly took a liking to it, even praising that the app was designed like a game and showed them where all the facilities were located in the school on a map ^^)

Ibara explained that though they could use the tablet and tried to check up on the school through it since they’re guests, there are limitations on the information they could get from it. However~ If they choose to be under the management of the agency officially, all the information would be available for them to access (since if that happens, they’re considered a “family” now and thus no need to hide information from them?) 

(Makoto was just too enjoying himself with the various function, apparently, there’s a selfie mode which actually gives you marks on how you fare as an idol based on the selfie OWO”)

Subaru isn’t good with devices and felt that carrying it is a burden, thus wanted Hokuto to carry it for him. But Hokuto told him that if Subaru doesn’t bring it along with him, he won’t be able to access most of the rooms, which Subaru felt it was weird that they were able to enter Adams’ meeting room without one. Ibaru gave a weak smile and answered that since Nagisa doesn’t like to bring his tablet with him, they had no choice but to leave the room open usually so that he could enter it. But since it’s open the public, Ibara would not leave his personal belongings or anything important in there and said that this was considered troublesome to him. (But~ Since Nagisa is his beloved lord, he would just have to put up with it and support him from the darkness, since he had viewed that Nagisa would be his last weapon +W+)

Bad Person / 惡人: Chapter 1

On the other hand, Mao was alone at the corridor, thinking about even though Trickstar had planned that this would be their revenge towards Eden for the Summer Live event, it seems that the other party wasn’t interested in a battle against them. Mao and “me” had headed to the office earlier on, and the staff and students there were really nice and friendly to us, not behaving like they’re our enemies at all. Feeling suspicious about it, Mao had wanted to talk about this with Eichi, but he knew that Eichi was held up with other stuff and was quite busy recently. 

As this time around, Trickstar was the unit who had no idea about the rules and the advantage in winning against Eden for the Autumn Live, they had worked very hard to make themselves better as they did not want to go through yet another time of losing again like how it was in the Summer Live event. This was why it was named as a “revenge” this time in our proposal - to get our revenge against Eden this time, and also to aim to win at SS.

Thinking that maybe he should go snooping around for a short while, Mao had hoped that Shinobu was here, so that he could request him to do all the spying for him XD (Hmm, seems that Mao was quite relying on Shinobu to get information for him? OWO)

In the meantime, “I” had head back to the hotel to help Fushimi in sorting out some trouble that had happened over there, and thus Mao decided to use this opportunity to move around by himself before meeting up with the others. (It’s snooping time! +W+) He had even thought of an excuse which if he had met the others while walking around, he could always explain that he was “lost” and thus wandering around trying to find his way, thinking that Subaru and the others would believe him easily since they’re honest people who don’t get suspicious of others that easily. (Hmm, but whether Ibara would believe him or not... That would be hard to say ^^;)

(Somehow I can relate to Mao very much when he states that his job here was to do such “dirty” tasks. Not that I actually snooped on anyone, but I know the feeling too well about doing something that nobody else wanted to do - the undesirable tasks ^^;)

As Mao started walking around the school, he suddenly heard a weird sound and decided to check it out. (Mao was not scared at all since he was already used to Ritsu, who seems to be someone who always causes/attracts strange happenings ^^:)

The sound came from Adam’s meeting room, and as Mao entered it, he wondered whether the rest of the group had finished touring the school and was now resting in the room taking a break. However, there wasn’t any sound of people chatting in the room at all, but instead, an uncomfortable noise was heard instead. Turns out that it was Ran Nagisa with a weirdly shaped stone OWO Mao had a shock when Nagisa turned to look at him in the eye, making him let out a weird sound before regaining himself and greeting him properly. Nagisa knew that Mao was someone from Trickstar, but could not remember his name. And thus Mao introduced himself, which led to Nagisa wondering perhaps he should introduce himself too. Mao assured him that he already knew him and even gave a short introduction about Nagisa, saying that he was Eden and Adam’s leader, and was transferred from Yumenosaki Gakuen and used to be a part of Fine. Nagisa didn’t like this introduction though, and claimed that he was just simply “Nagisa”. He doesn’t like that people’s names were being tied down to their position, wanting to be even more free from that. 

(Nagisa gave a weird smile in return, thinking to himself that he can’t understand what Nagisa was talking about at all, and felt that rather that Nagisa feeling like he used to be a part of Fine, he seems to be more similar to the five oddballs instead. - I love how Mao dissed Nagisa in his inner thoughts though ^^;)

Bad Person / 惡人: Chapter 2

After that, Mao felt weird as he was being told to change his clothes and to sing and dance by Nagisa suddenly. He doesn’t know what was the meaning to be doing all this but guessed that it might be the other party wanting to see his skills since it seems that this was similar to how it was last time when they were interacting with Eve. (Come to think of it, Hokuto was suddenly requested to sing and dance with Hiyori too last time.... ^^;) Mao wondered whether they would end up being good rivals who respect each other with Adam this time too, as they ended up in a good relationship with Eve the last time. 

However, Mao had a naggy suspicion that everything seems to be too easy on them this time, but thought that he should do a good job to show off his skills as good as possible as he didn’t want to ruin Trickstar’s first attempt of communication with Adam / Nagisa. But, even though Mao was trying to dance as good as he can, Nagisa wasn’t even looking at him at all. He was curious about what Nagisa was doing and decided to ask him about it, wondering perhaps Nagisa had an interest in sculpting stones. Nagisa explained that he doesn’t know why he had this hobby, but felt that it was interesting nevertheless. Mao gave a weak smile at Nagisa and told him that he had wished that he would put his attention on him instead of the stone since they’re going to work together later on and thus Mao had hoped that they would have a good rival relationship who approves of each others’ skills. 

(Nagisa is really not interested at all in idols or anybody I guess... He doesn’t even know that Eden was the top idol unit in their age group =w=“)

Mao continued on declaring that they (Trickstar) had deemed Eden to be their biggest enemy, and thus asked him to better look out for them. He worried that he might be rude later on but Nagisa told him that it’s alright and that he’s not offended, though... he found what Mao had said to be saddening since what Mao had said was exactly like what Eichi would have said to Nagisa. 

He sighed and said that as expected, Mao was definitely someone from Yumenosaki Gakuen. For Nagisa, even though Yumenosaki Gakuen had improved and evolved since then, he felt that the mindset of the students there doesn’t seem to have changed much. He continued on talking about how them being idols would just have to keep fighting and “killing” each other in order to survive in the entertainment industry, and that if they’ve stopped improving, it’s almost equivalent to them dying instead. Nagisa himself wanted to be freed from such a life and fate and wanted to aim for a world that’s more holy and peaceful, where there won’t be any more battles in this world. He thought that them humans are considered the failed creation of the gods, and as humans chased after their desired paradise, they ended up falling into hell, deeming that even living was hard and it was a punishment to be living by the god. He wondered whether it was wrong for him to be wishing that he wanted to be free from such a fate and to finally gain freedom in the end. 

“I... I just wanted to quit being human.”

(Is it me or Nagisa just sounds very depressing and sort of suicidal when he said this? OWO” I tried my best to translate as much as I can, but some of his dialogues were kind of vague that it’s hard to get what he is exactly wanting to convey for me ><”)

Nagisa explained that he felt sad that he was weak, trapped without freedom and had a “crime” on himself. He told Mao that he won’t say that he wished to be understood for what he had said since he had given up on trying to convince the others now. But he doesn’t want Mao to disrupt him either and warned him that if Mao was the one who would be an obstacle to Nagisa to make his way to heaven, Nagisa would just have to make him fall even though he felt sad about having to do that. He knew that others in this world would deem “going to heaven” as the same as “going to die”, and wondered that if dying would lead him to heaven definitely, then he would gladly bite his own tongue to kill himself. 

(Welp, Nagisa definitely sounds suicidal... But he doesn’t sound like those deeply depressing and emotional characters who are suicidal, but instead, he spoke confidently like he’s set on the path he’s going to take... Ran Nagisa is definitely a complex character for me to understand.)

Bad Person / 惡人: Chapter 3 - 4

The rest of the group had finished their dinner in the meantime, with Makoto praising the school food. He was impressed that the menu was specially made for each student based on their required nutritional value and that they all available free of charge. In fact, Makoto likes the canteen so much that he wished that he could still access to the canteen for food even after the autumn live event ended. He had known that cooking could be quite troublesome as his mother and he would take turns in cooking usually. He felt that being able to eat at the school canteen would aid him in terms food expenses for his family and thus he won’t have to worry about food that much in this period of time.

 Ibara smiled and took this opportunity to tell Makoto that if he joined their agency, he would be able to continue enjoying these benefits. He continued advertising his agency by saying that other than the canteen, students under their agency would also get to make use of other facilities in this school. Besides that, the agency would also provide the best clothes and accommodations for him free of charge too if he joined them. 

However, Subaru frowned and remarked that he would rather eat food that his mum had prepared instead. Ibara decided to try attracting Subaru next by informing him that the agency could also provide his family and him a really private place to live to hide from prying eyes, but that backfired as Subaru asked him why his family had to stay hidden from the public. Ibara doesn’t back down at all and suggested to Subaru that he could even help him to erase the things that his dad had did since Ibara was really good at manipulating rumours and news, saying that since idols were still humans anyway, there would be times that they did something “wrong” and would want to erase what they’ve done. (Apparently, it’s already considered an everyday chore for him to erase scandals... =w=“)

Ibara questioned the members of Trickstar what their school - Yumenosaki Gakuen could provide for them. He boasted that their school could remove the filth from within the school, erase the bad ratings from a person, and thus helped him to reborn again as a “beautiful person”. He assured them that they have the rights and strengths to be considered as the “elite students” just like him, and thus hope that they would join his agency - Cosmic Production, which he claimed to be a more suitable place for them to shine. 

He wasn’t afraid to admit to them that he had done up a check on them before their meals and together with results from the short test which they had did earlier on, Ibara realised that they were even more powerful and skilled than what he had initially thought. He said that their skills would rot if they’ve stayed at Yumenosaki Gakuen and though he told them that he would respect their freedom in choosing where they want to go, he ended his proposal saying that he hoped that they would remember that they could always join him and be comrades with him~ (Ibara is seriously hard selling his agency here ^^;)

After listening to what Ibara had said, even Makoto had to agree that there isn’t any reason why he had to stay in Yumenosaki Gakuen. (Ma... Makoto?!!) He said that Subaru and Hokuto might have wanted to enrol into Yumenosaki Gakuen because their dads were once students in this school before, but Hokuto said that though he can’t completely deny that it’s because of his dad that he enrolled in this school, he found that it was hard to just dump everything and go to another school after having so many memories there. Makoto continued by saying that even though they’ve not thought about it, there was now this choice available for them. Makoto had come to Yumenosaki Gakuen because he had thought there was no other place that he could escape to, and thus he told the others that he’s going to look into this. However, Makoto also told the others that he may not have to get transferred from Yumenosaki Gakuen even though he had joined an agency, as there’s a possibility that he could have the best of both worlds if he could be on both sides. (Being under the management of Cosmic Production but also still enrolled in Yumenosaki Gakuen I guess? But I heavily suspect that if one would want to transfer to Shuuetsu Academy since they have better facilities that they would want to take advantage of.)

Subaru was not happy about how the conversation was going towards and told the others that they were just here to battle against Adam and to perform at the Autumn Live to have an enjoyable time with the guests. But Makoto told him instead that in order to have a great live, they would need great skills and support, and what they were discussing now was that if they joined this agency, they might be able to attain that, since there’s a possibility of them unable to get even better and more support even if they’ve continued working hard at Yumenosaki Gakuen. Hokuto agreed with Makoto, saying that there’s more to life other than SS, and he felt that it would be good to make sure that their environment would allow them to grow and improve in the future. He felt that if he had continued on the same path as his father, he would not be able to catch up to him, and told Subaru that he probably has the same feelings like how he did regarding his dad. Subaru just sighed and told Hokuto that he’s different from him since Hokuto’s parents were still living and are stars that Hokuto could always lift up his head and see. But... for Subaru, his “star” was one that he won’t be able to find no matter how much he had tried to search in the night sky, as it had already fallen to the ground, being stepped on, and disappeared after getting dirt all over it... (Subaru TWT)

Subaru sighed and wondered why they were talking about such a topic here and said that usually, Mao would be around to help to change the mood to a lighter tone. However, they’ve heard that Mao was now undergoing special training with Nagisa, who had seemed to have taken an interest in him. Subaru felt that it was unfair that only Mao had special treatment, but guessed that must be because Mao was a “magician” who could do anything (in Subaru’s eyes ^^). 

Ibaru mentioned that the two of them should be over at Adam’s meeting room, and told the others that they could just greet Nagisa today and head back for some rest. He wanted them to head back and think about his proposal, smiling and thinking to himself that after a week of persuading them, he’s sure that the “poison” would be injected and flowing within them after that. 

Bad Person / 惡人: Chapter 4

Subaru rushed into the meeting room happily to meet up with Mao, asking him how is his situation like practising with Nagisa and then Subaru had missed him very much. But to his surprise, he found Mao kneeling on the ground panting tiredly, and was worried whether Mao was feeling uncomfortable or was being mistreated by Nagisa.

Nagisa calmly spoke that he had not done anything at all, and Subaru decided that he should introduce himself and the remaining Trickstar members, though he ended up scolding Nagisa while asking him to take care of them at the same time ^^; (Even Makoto had to remind him that he’s being weird as he was greeting and scolding Nagisa at the same time ^^;)

Hokuto asked Nagisa what he had done to their comrades, referring him as an “ex-fine”. Nagisa could hear that Hokuto was saying it in an unkind voice, and referred to him as “Hokke-Mask kun”. (His old nick when he was undercover performing for them.) He told Hokuto, Subaru and Makoto that even though they have the value worthy to Nagisa to remember their names, Mao... was different. He praised though Mao had the talent above the average person and was really skilful, he felt that people like Mao’s level to be plenty and was someone who could always be discarded away, deeming that his level of skills could be attained by anyone if they put in hard work for it. To Nagisa, Mao’s skills and talents are something that could be attained through time or by money, which in other words, he’s someone that could easily be replaced.  He felt that Mao was worthless in that case since he was just a “normal presence” that could be replaced cheaply. (Wah... Nagisa was definitely being quite mean in saying such things easily in their faces OAO”)

In fact, Nagisa felt weird that Trickstar had readily accepted Mao as one of their members. What he had said had made Hokuto be mad instead, as he confronted Nagisa once again to come clean what he had done to poor Mao. Nagisa did not answer him, and just calmly continued on that Mao would just disappear one day from their side just because he couldn’t catch up to them anyway. He told the Trickstar members not to feel sad about it since there are a lot of many others who could replace Mao in his place. 

However, there was hardly any reaction to what Nagisa had said, as he wondered perhaps he had said something that was too complex for the others to understand. He sighed and remarked that if there’s no one available to translate what he had said to the others, no one could understand what was the feeling that he wanted to convey to them. He doesn’t want others to misunderstand him and said that as much as possible, he doesn’t want to hurt anyone ever again...

Bad Person / 惡人: Chapter 5

It was night time when Tsumugi returned to the hotel, crying out that whether he was completely forgotten by the others. (Until now... I didn’t even realise that Tsumugi was gone honestly... Sorry Tsumugi Orz) He cried out that he was lonely after being abandoned by the others, but thankfully Fushimi who was in the same room as him told him that he was waiting for him to come as he felt that it would be rude if he had head to bed first himself.

Fushimi explained to Tsumugi that the Trickstar members had not forgotten about Tsumugi purposely, but instead, everyone had initially thought that Tsumugi had already returned to the hotel earlier than them, and later got a shock when the realised that Tsumugi wasn’t at the hotel when they returned. (But poor Tsumugi still felt sad as he said that it’s alright that he was being forgotten since Trickstar was the main lead this time anyway ^^;)

Tsumugi explained that he was being abandoned at the shower room by Nagisa after he had helped him to clean up. (That’s mean Nagisa =w=“...) Without the special tablet, Tsumugi wasn’t able to enter or exit the facilities in Shuuetsu Academy and thus trapped in the shower room until he was finally saved by a security guard who was patrolling in the school in the late hours. 

Fushimi suggested to Tsumugi that he could use his smartphone to call for help if he was trapped in the shower room, smiling and remarking that Tsumugi was being clumsy to have forgotten about that. He even mentioned that according to his observations, it seems that Fine in the past doesn’t have criteria on allowing “troublesome” people to join their unit, which shocked Tsumugi as he exclaimed that Fushimi has a mean tongue and wondered perhaps he had become like this under the influence of Eichi. But he sighed as now that he thought back to it, there were many ways that he could have gotten help, such as calling out loudly for the Trickstar members within the school, as they might have passed by and heard about it.

As the topic turned towards Trickstar, Fushimi frowned and mentioned that he noticed that the members seemed to be behaving weird today. Usually, Fushimi would have expected them to be worried about Tsumugi when they’ve not seen his whereabouts and start looking for him, but it seemed that they were deeply bothered about something today that they just went ahead to have their meals and shower before heading to bed straight away. Tsumugi guessed that perhaps they were just tired and wanted to go to bed as soon as possible after a long journey today.

As the Trickstar members had a really good relationship with each other, they all ended up staying in the same room together, though sadly for Fushimi and Tsumugi, they were considered as the support staff and thus separated from Trickstar to stay in another room. (And since “I’m” a girl, “I’ll” have to stay in a separate room from them as well ^^;)

The hotel rooms this time was allocated to us by Eichi, as this hotel was part of his family business, and thus Fushimi mentioned that there was no need to worry about the accommodation fees. He was bothered by Ibara’s presence and thus remarked that he’s going to do a check up on him since they’re enemies of their school anyway. Tsumugi gave a weak smile as he heard the word “enemy” coming from Fushimi’s mouth, thinking that Fushimi was indeed influenced by Eichi after all. Fushimi answered that perhaps he was getting tired of being a perfect butler recently, and have become more honest in showing his true self (does that mean that Fushimi’s usual self is more “evil”? XD) Tsumugi replied that he felt that it was good that Fushimi was showing his true self since he had felt that the usual Fushimi seems to be acting when he was being all polite to others ^^; (Are you praising Fushimi or dissing him Tsumugi XD) He wished that Fushimi would behave more like a teenage male of his age, and suggested him to learn from Trickstar and get along better with other guys of his age group. 

Fushimi sighed and said that he had always angered his classmates and thus felt that it would be a bother to the others if he had suddenly talked to them casually. (I have a feeling it might be Koga getting angry with him...?) 

Anyway, the person that Fushimi wanted to talk more with was Tsumugi, as he wanted to know more about the things that happened in Fine before he had joined. Even though Tsumugi said that there was nothing interesting for Fine in the past, Fushimi still wanted to know about it. He claimed that both his master - Tori and him can’t always be innocent kids forever, and thus felt that they should know about Fine’s past since the name of Fine now sat on their shoulders. However, the seniors of Fine (Eichi and Wataru) didn’t seem to want to talk about the past at all. Fushimi remarked that he’s not an idiot and knew that Fine was a unit who had the image of being perfect on the surface but planning dark plans ever since from the past. He doesn’t have the dreams of making it a perfect unit but wanted to accept the filthy side of Fine nevertheless. He remarked that he would not grow stronger if he was always being shown the perfect side of Fine, and said that he had to grow stronger as he was not his master’s servant, but his butler who was supposed to protect and support him. This was why for the sake of Tori, Fushimi wanted to know everything about Fine and thus wanted Tsumugi to tell him all about it.

 (Fushimi was being all teasing to Tsumugi as he pleaded Tsumugi to teach him all about it, even calling him “senpai~” XD) 

Dangerous Poison / 劇毒: Chapter 1 - 2

The next morning, Mao woke up with an aching body, due to his body being pushed to his limits yesterday while dancing. He felt that it had been a long time ever since the S1 battle they had against Akatsuki that he had such a tough training. He realised that he had been working hard well within his comfort zone recently as he doesn’t want to push himself too hard to the point where he would collapse and cause trouble to the others. But honestly, Mao knew that he was always choosing the easy way out when it comes to important matters like this. He knew that he hasn’t been giving his all because he had this mindset that he found comfort in telling himself that he’s not improving as fast because he hasn’t given his all yet, and told himself that if he started giving his all, he would definitely improve faster than now. (But in the end, he still doesn’t give his all... as he doesn’t want to break his own lie(?) perhaps?)

He knew that the other members were different from him, as they were all considered the “real genius”, and that no matter how crazily hard he practised, he would never catch up to them as they were too shiny for him. In order to prove himself as useful to the group, Mao took up all the other roles which the others are weak in, such communication and helping to do other small minor tasks and chores. In return, he gets praises that he’s “great” and even though he knew that he gets relied on by the others, Mao still felt very uneasy about himself on the inside.

Mao realised that everyone in Trickstar, even “me” had been improving steadily, and worried that one day he would be deemed as unneeded in the group because he knew that whatever he can do, anyone could also do them as long as they work hard at it. He had seen his skills in communicating with others at bowing head down at people, even those who he dislikes, and doing boring paper works, and felt that it was a skill that anyone could have done it as long as they’re obedient and listen to others well. As currently, he’s now within a group of people who were still behaving as kids and were unique in their lives, Mao was considered special to them. (I guess Mao felt that he was actually a very normal guy when compared to the other members?)

Just then, he realised that there was something weird going on... There’s something moving about in his futon where he’s sleeping in?! He got into his usual lecture mode, telling “Ritsu” that he had told him countless times not to hide in his blanket, but sighed as he realised that there’s no way Ritsu could be here since Mao was on a trip far away from home himself. (And there’s no way Ritsu would come all the way even if Mao had seen him as a spoiled kid XD)

He started feeling that this situation was getting strange, but just then, a voice started coming out from within the blanket... and it’s “me”! 

(Mao was so cute when he blushed, wondering why “I” was in his blanket and felt that this situation was like a classic love comedy >////<)

Mao blushed as he asked “me” what “I” was planning to do and told “me” that “this” was not allowed since we had an idol-producer relationship. (What is it that is not allowed, Mao?~ Forbidden love relationship? >////<) He also told “me” that if “I’m” looking for the others, they’ve already set off to Shuuetsu Academy as they had practices in the morning.

Mao laughed as he joked that he must have been thinking too much about stuff until he overslept while apologising as he guessed that “I” must be here to wake him up, or perhaps he himself had accidentally gotten closed to “me” being half asleep. I didn’t show him any reaction initially, which made him panicked as he doesn’t know what he should do now in such a situation. 

“I” told him that he should stop hugging “me” and that made Mao flustered as he realised that he had hugged “me” and making “me” hard to breathe.

(This is so cute where Mao was definitely getting all flustered XDD)

After regaining his composure, Mao started lecture “me” that “I” should be more wary of “my” surroundings, saying that “I’m” too unguarded as even “my” yukata was about to slip off. He demanded “me” to wear it properly and assured “me” that he would close his eyes and not peek at all. As Mao closed his eyes, he felt that the current situation was indeed weird to the point that it would affect his life, and told himself that it was not like he was hoping for such a heart-racing panic moment in this trip actually?! XD

Suddenly, he heard his cell phone rang and thus requested “me” to throw the phone over to him since he can’t open his eyes and go over to where his phone was at now. The phone call turned out to be from Ritsu, who had wanted to hear his voice in the morning. (Ritsu really loves Mao a lot I guess ^^;) The phone call continued until Mao cried out in pain as “I” clutched on his hair, making Ritsu realising that “I” was in the same room as Mao. He started questioning Mao on whether the two of us were sleeping in the same room, making Mao panicked once again as he tried to clarify to Ritsu. 

After the commotion was over, “I” apologised to Mao for causing it. He told “me” that “I” didn’t have to apologise, and knew that “I” was here to wake him up as “I” was worried about him. He mentioned that “I” could have just requested the hotel staff or Tsumugi to take a look at him if “I” was worried, but “I” revealed to him that actually other than waking him up, there was something that “I’ wanted to talk to him about. 

Mao answered that he would listen to “me” if “I” had any request, but wondered why “I” specifically wanted to talk to him. After knowing that there’s something “I” wanted to talk to him alone, he started getting nervous and told “me” that he’s not used to getting confessed like how it is like in a love comedy. (Who said it's going to be a love confession? XD)

(Mao seems to be a bit disappointed when he realised that what “I” was going to discuss with him was regarding work... ^^:)

He admitted that he was indeed affected by the harsh words said by Nagisa yesterday and that it had made him lost his confidence. He felt embarrassed as he thought that he would be able to impress Adam when showing off his skills like how Trickstar did with Eve the last time, but it ended up being a failure. Mao felt that it was his fault that he had even made the rest of Trickstar to be looked down and felt apologetic about it.

He said that perhaps he was not needed in Trickstar and that made “me” agitated immediately as “I” yelled out that that is not true at him. This made Mao blushed as he thanked “me”, while saying that “I” didn’t have to deny about this so furiously ^^; (But we all know that that’s not true!! ><”) The reason why Mao was blushing was that as “I” leaned in too close to him, he could even see a part of “my” chest from the top of “my” yukata. (Mao... you didn’t have to be so honest =////=“)

Mao gave a weak smile as he remarked that perhaps “I” had gotten too used to being in an all male school but reminded “me” that “I” should always be aware that “I’m” still a female among them ^^; After a short chat, Mao said that in order to get back his confidence once again, he’s going to work hard in whatever he could do currently, and thanked “me” for coming at a good timing to encourage him ^^ He asked “me” what is “my” request for “me”, and said that even though he would hate to do troublesome matters, he doesn’t dislike doing them now.

Dangerous Poison / 劇毒: Chapter 2 - 3

Mao and “I” ended up meeting Tsumugi at the school gate of Reimei Academy, who was surprised to see Mao here with “me”. Mao explained that he’s here to recover “mentally” for now, and felt that if he had gone to Shuuetsu Academy, he might get lectured again by Nagisa if he had met him. He also felt a bit frustrated if he had to follow the instructions of what his enemy XD 

Tsumugi replied that he had heard what had happened from Nagisa, and said that it was actually his role this time to get in contact with Nagisa frequently. He told Mao that Nagisa was actually worried about Mao whether he was alright after listening to what he had said, and explained that Nagisa was bad with words ever since from the past. He continued that Nagisa had a unique way of choosing words and always just say whatever that came to his mind, making him be easily misunderstood by the others. But he assured Mao that Nagisa meant no harm in his words, and thus requested Mao to forgive him. 

(Actually what Nagisa said about comparing Mao to the others was very harsh, since he’s referring the other Trickster as stars in the sky, and Mao was just... a torchlight =w=“ I know I definitely won’t feel good if someone said I’m a torchlight D:)

Tsumugi guessed that perhaps Mao was someone that one won’t understand about him until they’ve gotten closer, and deduced that perhaps Nagisa had seen Mao to be similar as many other people who were surrounding him currently. They were mainly students who were not the “elites”, and in order to strive to became part of the “elite group” they would try all sorts of dirty ways to climb up. That may be why Nagisa seems to be talking bad about Mao as he felt that he was the same type as those other students, where some of his ill feelings about those students got relayed out when he commented on Mao. 

Mao replied that as much as he’s glad that Tsumugi was trying to comfort him, he knew that he was exactly the type of person Nagisa was referring to. This was also mainly why Mao was deeply hurt and affected by what Nagisa had said. 

Tsumugi assured that even if Mao was the type of person which Nagisa was referring to, what Nagisa had said may not be the truth since as much as Adam may be powerful, Nagisa is not a god after all. Therefore, what he had said may not be 100% true. He hoped that even though Mao was discouraged by Nagisa had said, he would be able to buck up, get stronger and prove to Nagisa that he was wrong and to take back his words about Mao. He told Mao that he’s someone who would always stand up even when he was stepped on and Trickstar was n unit who had changed the impossible to reality and causing miracles in the end.

Tsumugi felt that it would the same this time since they’ve taken in their last defeat as their strength to grow stronger for their revenge. He encouraged Mao that together with “me” and the others, we would be supporting him to turn the tables around for the current situation. Mao felt comforted by Tsumugi’s words and told him that he felt that refreshing to talk about his troubles with others because he hardly ever gets into failure and being troubled himself, to which Tsumugi replied that he welcome Mao in sharing his troubles with him anytime.

Mao wondered why Subaru had always called him to be a magician but guessed that perhaps Subaru just made up that nickname for fun because it was easy to call it.  But Tsumugi told him that perhaps Mao had always cast a special “magic” over the other members of Trickstar when he was with them unknowingly, a”magic” that would lighten others’ hearts. This “magic” would definitely make a difference when it exists when the others are going through a hard time. Tsumugi recalled about how he was unable to cast such a “magic” in the past, and thus unable to heal Eichi who had accumulated too many scars and injuries, but he felt that Mao would definitely be different from him, and be able to do things that Tsumugi wasn’t able to do back then. 

As they were in front of Reimei Academy school gate, Tsumugi suggested that they moved to the side in case they ended up disrupting other students from heading to the school. Mao still had no idea why we had come to Reimei Academy, as Mao had just tagged along when he was being requested by “me”. Tsumugi explained that we were here to get in contact with Eve since there was something we wanted to investigate about. Even though Tsumugi was friendly and on good terms with Nagisa, they belonged to different schools and thus he felt that it would be faster to learn more about “Adam” through “Eve” since they definitely know Nagisa better now than Tsumugi himself. 

Mao remarked that he felt that the other side (Adam) seems to have done a thorough check on them, to which Tsumugi laughed and said that the other party definitely does not treat them as a newbie since Trickstar has already defeated Fine and was selected as the representative to participate in the SS. Mao sighed, remarking that it seems scary but he felt that this was to be expected. 

Just then, the people we were waiting for had appeared, with Hiyori mentioning to Jun that he had seen that something interesting had “fallen” before him. Jun warned Hiyori not to pick up any more animals from off the road, as it was already difficult for him to hide “Bloody Mary”. Hiyori got angry and scolded Jun for saying in a way that he’s blaming Hiyori. He said that since Jun had seen “Bloody Mary” and picked it up together with him, he’s considered an accomplice too. (I guess “Bloody Mary” is an animal they picked up? A lost cat perhaps?) The two ended up quarrelling, with Jun telling Hiyori that he’s the same too in blaming him when he told their neighbours that it was Jun’s fault for the weird noise coming from their room. 

Jun stopped their quarrel when he realised that we were there, and asked us why we were here. Hiyori laughed as he thought that we were lost, saying that he could understand about that since both Shuuetsu Academy and Reimei Academy had a similar look as they were built by the same company. He revealed that he had sometimes wandered away onto other routes when going to school, and before he knew it school was over. (That’s skipping classes I though... =w=“)  

Jun remarked that if Hiyori keeps this up, he might get detained when he doesn’t have enough days attendance rate to head up to the next level. Jun would hate to be in the same class as Hiyori if that happens, claiming that it would affect his learning efficiency. Hiyori thought that Jun must have really liked him very much that he can’t concentrate in class due to being bothered by his every action, but Jun just dissed back at Hiyori that he’s being too noisy and that even his laughter could be hard from the 2nd year classroom ^^;  (I guess Hiyori is indeed very loud D:) 

In the end, Tsumugi had to interrupt them and asked if they could listen to what we had to say. Realising that we wanted to have a chat with them, Jun mentioned that it wasn’t really a good time now since they had another appointment coming up later on. Eve had gotten busier recently due to Adam having to prepare for the Autumn Live and Eve taking over Eden’s portion of work. Hiyori took this chance to boast that ever since their last meeting with Trickstar, Eve had gotten more active and was in a great condition. (That’s great! ^^ Why am I happy for them even though they’re Trickstar’s rival ^^;)

But after realising that what Tsumugi wanted to talk with them seems to be serious, Hiyori informed Jun to get in contact with their agency and request them to rearrange their schedule. Jun agreed to it reluctantly, and guessed that according to their expectation, it seems that Trickstar was in a difficult situation with Adam at the moment... (I guess this was actually nice of Hiyori to put down his work to come and assist us though ^^)

And that’s all for Part 1~ I’ll work on Part 2 next week onwards, so please look forward to it ^^

#ensemble stars #event story #trickstar #adam #eve #translation #summary #mao #subaru #hokuto #makoto #nagisa #ibara #hiyori #jun #tsumugi #fushimi #otome game #es:event #es:translation

[x0401x]

Gakuen K Drama CD: Bread Party

Raw version here. Please feel free to message me about possible corrections.

Kuro: Gakuen K ~Wonderful School Days~ V Edition Bonus Drama CD – Bread Party.

Rikio: Right side, fine. Left side, fine. Looks like the Blue Club ain’t here. Okay, on with the trade. Did you bring the goods?

[Rustling sounds]

Rikio: Whoohoho! That’s it, that’s it! *sniff* From the smell, it’s pretty high quality... huhu! I can’t handle it! Didn’t you guys use a pretty neat powder for this? Thought so! Just the change in smell is already making me dizzy. Here, your reward. Take it. Thanks for always. Lots of people are looking forward to this! Hm, then, I’ll be going, but... don’t get caught by the Blue Club. If they ever find out that we, the Red Club, are doing this kind of trading with the Culinary Club in the shadows...

Saruhiko: What you doing there?!

Rikio: Guh?! Fushimi...!

Saruhiko: Deliberate trades involving money are forbidden within the academy’s premises. Show me what you’ve got in your hands.

Rikio: Ooh?! This is... Hehehehe... This is the last thing I can hand over!! *runs*

Saruhiko: Tsk! *dials* Ah, Captain! Please come to the front of the Red Club’s clubroom right now.

Reishi: Did something happen?

Saruhiko: I’ll explain later! Please hurry!

Reishi: To think you of all people would be in such a haste... Rarities really do happen. Understood. I shall go immediately.

Izumo: Yata-chan, how’ve ye been lately?

Misaki: “How”? What do you mean?

Izumo: What I mean? When someone asks a teenage boy ‘bout how he’s doin’, it’s obvious that they’re goin’ fer a lighthearted talk.

Misaki: “Lighthearted talk”? Is it about a kidnapping or something?

T/N: The pun here is that Misaki mistakes the word 薄いた (lighthearted) for 失いた (disappearance) because they’re pronounced the same way.

Izumo: No... that ain’t it...

Rikio: *panting* Yata-san! Kusanagi-san! Bad news!

Misaki: What’s wrong? What happened?!

Rikio: Our trading with the Culinary Club... was found out... by that bastard Fushimi of the Blue Club!

Izumo: What’d ye say?!

Rikio: *gasp*

Reishi: I had been thinking since long ago that your relationship with the Culinary Club was suspicious. You have finally let your tail out, haven’t you?

Misaki: Blue Club... grr...

Izumo: So ye’ve been markin’ us from the start, huh?

Reishi: Now, may we have your explanation?

Izumo: My, my, no need ta rush like that. First, how ‘bout we take it slow and have some tea?

Reishi: So you do not have the will to cooperate? If that is your intention, we must take corresponding measures. Fushimi-kun. Confiscate the proof that he is holding.

Saruhiko: Yes.

Rikio: Aaah! Wait a min—ioaeugisydojogau

Saruhiko: Here you go.

Misaki: Kamamoto...! Saru, you bastard! What’re you doing?!

Saruhiko: You got a problem, Misaki? I don’t mind being your opponent right here and now!

Misaki: Of course I got a problem, you—

Izumo: Theeere! Stop, stop! I’m beggin’, don’t wreak havoc inside the bar! Yata-chan. Ye remember the number of goods ye’ve broken until now?

Misaki: A-Ack...!

Izumo: If ye break anythin’ else, I’ll turn into flames of wrath... in the literal sense.

Rikio: Yata-san... if it’s about me, I’m okay...

Misaki: But...!

Saruhiko: Hmph!

Reishi: Then, let’s confirm what’s inside the bag. *rummages* This is... bread, huh... moreover, just out of the oven.

Izumo: So it’s finally been exposed... that we secretly buy fresh bread from the Culinary Club and serve it as part of the snacks menu?

Reishi: So that really was the case? No matter the reason, money trades between students are forbidden. Let’s put an end to this kind of thing on behalf of what happened today.

Izumo: Don’t say such harsh stuff, Mr. President of the Blue Club! This bread’s one of our hidden best goods, and hotly demanded by part of the costumers. If we lose it, there’ll be a dramatic decrease in our power! The costumers will leave in a flash! It’s already hard for them to come by just ‘cause these grubby fellows keep crammin’ the place. They’re quick to eat all the stuff I buy, too. They’ve broken about 39 of my items. I’m really crossin’ a thin line! Take pity on me somehow, please!

Reishi: You have my empathy, but there is no way I can acknowledge those means. If these are meant as snacks, you can buy them from merchants, right?

Izumo: You can’t buy fresh bread from merchants, and the cost would also be bigger than now. We’ve got no choice but rely on the Culinary Club! I’m seriously implorin’! *clasps hands together* Like this!

Reishi: Regardless of how much you ask, my will shall not change.

Izumo: Kh...! So this is how it goes with fellows that don’t make deals...

Tatara: Ah? It sure is crowded today. The Blue Club is also here; how rare. Are you getting everyone together for a party or something?

Izumo: Does this look like party airs? Uh? Totsuka, what ye got there?

Tatara: Ah, this? An acquaintance of mine who was a baker is closing his shop and going on a journey around the world. And so, since he doesn’t need these anymore, he gave me a lot of stuff! Like bread shapers, tools that I don’t get very well, and flours that I don’t get very well!

Reishi: Hooh? Well, well. Strangely enough, this is wonderful timing. However, I can foresee an outcome with this.

Izumo: “Outcome”, ye say? Ye can’t mean—

Reishi: Yes. How about the Red Club start making its own bread from now on? If you do so, as you wish, fresh ones will be at hand, and there will be no delivery fees, right?

Izumo: No, no, no! Ye say it like it’s simple, but... makin’ bread is extremely hard! Ye talk ‘bout doin’ it so straightforwardly—

Tatara: That’s great! Seems fun!

Izumo: Totsuka?! Listen to my—

Misaki: Kusanagi-san! I’ll do my best!! To make up for the stuff I’ve destroyed up until now, I’ll knead, knead and knead bread!! So rest assured! I’ve made it once during cooking practice in middle school. Back then, the teacher praised me, saying it was a bread out of this world!

Izumo: No good. I’ve only got bad feelings ‘bout this...

Reishi: It seems the opinions have been gathered. Then we shall take our leave. Let’s go, Fushimi-kun.

Izumo: Ye two. Can’t ye wait?

Saruhiko: Tsk! There anything else?

Izumo: Ye fellows don’t get a thing ‘bout the hassle that is makin’ bread. That’s why ye get to say irresponsible stuff like that. I’ll have ye participate in a bread-makin’ contest with us. And then, ye should be able to understand what I’m sayin’.

Saruhiko: Hah? Who’d do that? Unlike you guys, we’re busy.

Reishi: Hm... it is true that I have never made bread before. Fushimi-kun. We will do it.

Saruhiko: Wha... Are you serious?

Reishi: Do you think I would be joking?

Saruhiko: I wished it was a joke...

Izumo: Anyways, we’ve started makin’ the bread, but... Yata-chan. Ye okay there? The dough’s all gooey and yer hands look like a zombie’s.

Misaki: Somehow, this... augh...! Is clingy, and won’t come outta my hands! Ah, damn...! Ah, you... you...!!

Izumo: Wai—don’t flail yer hands! That sticky dough is splatterin’ everywhere!

Rikio: Yata-san, didn’t you add too much moisture? If you increase the flour, it should be just on-point.

Misaki: Oah! Kamamoto! Nice idea!

Rikio: Then, I’ll put in the flour!

Izumo: He’s added too much of one ingredient again...

Misaki: Hey, now I can’t put the dough together at all... Kamamoto! More water!

Rikio: ‘Kay!

Izumo: Ah. Again, so determinedly...

Misaki: Weird... it’s sticky again... Kamamoto!! More flour!

Rikio: Aight!

Tatara: Whenever you add up strong flour, you also have to put in yeast and butter.

Misaki: Got it!

Izumo: That’s some impressive cooking. It’s floodin’ out of the bowl. And ye don’t seem to be measurin’ anythin’ since earlier. Is this okay?

Misaki: What’re you saying, Kusanagi-san? This is a man’s cooking!

Izumo: Ah. Well... do yer best. Totsuka, how ye goin’?

Tatara: Hmm! Though I’m the one saying it, I think I’m doing fine! I put together and thoroughly mixed flour and yeast, sugar and salt, then added butter, and on top of it all, kneaded well.

Izumo: Oooh, as expected, ye know the methods!

Tatara: After letting it rest and ferment for a while, what I had was... this!

Izumo: Hey, how did it turn into udon??

Tatara: Udon-cooking is one of my home hobbies. Once I thought they were generally the same while making it... I ended up with this.

Izumo: “Ended up” my ass! They’re completely different! Ye said ye were doin’ okay just a while ago. What do we do with this thin stuff?

Tatara: It’s fine, it’s fine. It’ll work out somehow.

Izumo: Listenin’ to that line right now... makes me really annoyed.

Misaki: Kamamoto!! More water!!

Rikio: ‘Kay!!

Izumo: Ye guys cut it out!

Reishi: It seems that peculiar breads are being conceived over there. Fushimi-kun. How’s your progress? Mine is about to finish fermenting.

Saruhiko: Nothing much... just normal. I searched the how-to of this thing on my PDA. By following what it says, anyone can do it. Seems like those idiots couldn’t do that much, though.

Reishi: Hoooh... that is a smooth dough. You are going to shape it now? What kind of form will you make it into?

Saruhiko: Just balls is fine, right?

Reishi: That is uninteresting. How about... making it into plants or animals?

Saruhiko: It doesn’t have to be interesting...

Reishi: Fushimi-kun. Please.

Saruhiko: Hnnn...

Reishi: Please.

Saruhiko: Tsk! I get it. I get it already. Please stop pressuring me with a grin.

Reishi: Huhu... I’m really looking forward to what Fushimi-kun will make.

Saruhiko: Hmph... it’s done.

Reishi: This... seems like an ordinary sphere.

Saruhiko: It’s marimo.

Reishi: Hm. Marimo, huh. It is unique in its own way, but how about you attempt making something more varied next?

Saruhiko: It’ll be the same no matter what it is...

Reishi: Fushimi-kun.

Saruhiko: Ugh... it’s done.

Reishi: Again, it looks like just a sphere. What is this?

Saruhiko: A dung beetle.

Reishi: Fushimi-kun. Do you really have any intention of doing this?

Saruhiko: None.

Reishi: All right. Then I will be the one giving suggestions. Next, please make a rabbit.

Saruhiko: Haah? Tsk! Nnngh... hah. Are you... satisfied with this?

Reishi: It is... quite out of this world.

Saruhiko: What? If there’s anything you want to say, just say it.

Reishi: No, as expected of Fushimi-kun.

Saruhiko: You say that but what about you? It seems past the fermentation time.

Reishi: Oh. This is no good of me. Let’s take out the vinyl and examine the situation first.

Saruhiko: Ugh...!

Reishi: This stench... It really... looks like it went too far past the fermentation time.

Izumo: Well, ‘bout time to bake. Everyone, put yer stuff in the oven!

Neko: Uuuh... I’m hungryyy... I can’t move a single step forward!

Kuro: This again? Every time you open your mouth, it’s to say things like, “I’m hungry”, “it’s hot”, “it’s cold”... Don’t you know what patience is?

Neko: I don’t!!

Kuro: Don’t cut me off! You need to train your endurance a little – no, a lot! If you relax your mind and body and elevate yourself, a bit of hunger should become something easy to withstand.

Neko: Ah... hnn... Shiro! Kurosuke sounds like an old man!

Kuro: “Like an old man”, you say!?

Shiro: Now, now. There’s no helping it. Neko is Neko, after all. We’ll buy something at the cafeteria, so put on just a tad more effort.

Kuro: Shiro! Don’t spoil Neko!

Neko: As expected of my Shiro! Unlike the blockhead Kurosuke, he gets what I say! Ugh, but it’s really no good! I really can’t move anymore!

Kuro: You just ate lunch barely three hours ago.

Neko: If I say I can’t move, then I can’t move!

Shiro: Hmm... this is a problem...

Neko: Nnngh... hm? *sniff* Ah! It’s the smell of bread!

Shiro: “Smell of bread”? In a place like this?

Kuro: *sniff* It’s true... it’s certainly the smell of bread baking.

Neko: Bread... bread... It comes from over there! Let’s go, Shiro!

Shiro: U-Uwaaah!

Neko: Bread, bread... bread, bread, bread, bread, breeeaaad~~~!

Shiro: U-U-Uwah!

Kuro: Weren’t you the one that couldn’t “move a single step forward”?!

Shiro: Waaaah!! Lemme go, lemme go!

Kuro: Neko, slow down a little!

Shiro: Aaaaaah!!

Kuro: Shiro is being completely dragged around!!

Neko: Gimme my bread~!

Kuro: Hey, Neko! It’s rude to just abruptly come in! Hey, Shiro! Are you okay?? Hang on!

Shiro: *moans*

Izumo: Members of the Silver Club... That was pretty sudden. What happened?

Kuro: Neko was hungry and sensed the smell of bread coming from here, so she went out of control...

Izumo: I see, so that’s how it is. Well, then. Wanna eat the bread?

Neko: I do!

Kuro: Hey, Neko! Hah, honestly... I’m sorry. If it’s a bother, do say so.

Izumo: Nooo... it’d actually help if she ate it. Right, Mr. President of the Blue Club?

Reishi: That is right... If it is meant to be eaten, then I wish you please do so.

Kuro: What do you mean?

Izumo: Welp, one eye-witness is better than several hearsays. Look at this!

Kuro: This is...

Neko: NYAAAH! These breads are creepy!

Kuro: How unbecoming... This is... bread? One hasn’t gone past the state of dough, another is tremendously packed and with a pale color, and yet another is... as thin as pasta and all coiled for some reason. The only one that can almost be called bread is this rabbit-shaped one, but... ngh... what’s this abnormally hateful face?! It’s almost as if it’s meant to make one lose their appetite with this look that seems to be making fun of people! To be able to make this sort of expression, there’s no mistaking that the person who baked this bread is completely twisted at heart!

Misaki: Heh! Tell him off more, Yatogami!

Saruhiko: Tsk! Yours didn’t even become bread to begin with, Misaki!!

Tatara: Yatogami, if you would, couldn’t you teach us about bread making?

Kuro: Me?

Tatara: Hm. If it’s you, Yatogami, this kind of thing is your specialty, right?

Kuro: Indeed, I did learn how to make bread from Ichigen-sama. I don’t mind the part of teaching, but if you’re going to do this, we’ll do it meticulously. Shiro! How long are you going to be snoozing? Hurry up to wash your hands and put on an apron.

Shiro: Uh... ah... “ap-ron”...?

Kuro: For starters, it’s a mistake to try to make bread just by knowing how. Bread is a living thing! A very delicate living thing at that! Taking in consideration the state of the flour, the heat of the fire and the humidity of the air, the temperature of the added ingredients will change. You must know how to adjust to this, or else making it work becomes impossible, but even so, you guys... kh...! How deplorable!

Izumo: What’s that? It’s like some switch’s been turned on...

Neko: Hey, Kurosuke... where’s my bread?

Kuro: SHUT UUUP!! I’ll be making the best bread ever now! Until then, go eat that disgusting rabbit or something!

Neko: Eeeh, this? Hmph, no helping it...

Saruhiko: Tsk!

Kuro: Well, let’s begin from the part of measuring the flour. Shiro! What are you dilly-dallying for? You’re the assisant. Hurry and get the ingredients.

Shiro: A-Ah, yes!

Kuro: Mix strong flour, yeast, sugar and salt and shape into a sack. The lukewarm water that will be added to it should be... let’s see... today is rather hot out, so let’s make it 30o C (86o F). After adding that, knead it all in the bowl until it becomes a homogeneous sphere. First, let’s do it until that point!

Izumo: We only have one thermometer, so pass it around after using!

Tatara: Yatogami is amazing! I, too, might awaken to bread making today.

Reishi: I’ll take care of the flour, so Fushimi-kun, I leave the yeast and sugar to you. It will be more efficient if we share the load, right?

Saruhiko: Grrr...

Misaki: Heh! As if I’d do things in this fussy manner! It’s better to do this kind of thing in an easygoing way!

Kuro: Yata! Do you think this sort of laidback reasoning is allowed in the conduct of bread making?! That sloppy, huge mysterious ball of earlier was your doing, wasn’t it? Learn a little from your errors!

Rikio: S-Scaryyy...

Misaki: Ah... I get it. I just have to do it, right? Just do it.

Kuro: Honestly... I’ll have no liberty to let my guard down. Well, then, now we’ll get to the part of kneading the dough. Shiro, divide the butter in the amount everyone will use. 10 kg for each.

Shiro: Roger! Neko, you help too.        

Neko: Hm! I’ll eat the butter!

Shiro: Hehe. Just a tad, okay?

Kuro: When kneading the dough, it’s important to roll it in a rhythmical fashion. Open your legs like this, and use your entire body, as if you were applying your weight onto the dough. When you do so, the protein of the flour, gluten, comes out. It’s like a stretchy membrane. This gluten will inflate the bread during the fermentation. So, for us to bake a tasty bread, it’s important to enhance this gluten membrane and make a dough that will be very stretchy.

Misaki: Hey, Kamamoto. You got what he said?

Rikio: Nope. But it kinda seems delicious, huh?

Tatara: Hm... hmm... is it like this?

Kuro: Totsuka-senpai!! Lower your back more! It’s almost like you’re putting no strength into it like that.

Tatara: Understood!

Kuro: Fushimi!! Do it more rhythmically! If you just knead aimlessly, the bread will not respond!

Saruhiko: Tsk! What a pain... what’s with this...?

Kuro: Munakata-senpai... hm, that’s the spirit. If I may, I find it better to use the bulge of the hand for kneading the dough.

Reishi: I see. I’m grateful for the advice.

Kuro: All right. Everyone seems to be doing fine, yeah? Shiro, give them the butter.

Shiro: Yes, yes~! Here you go.

Kuro: Return the dough to the bowl and add the butter. Rub well and completely blend the butter into the dough. At that time, while the butter is not yet totally blended, we transfer it onto a wood board. It’s necessary to be careful so that the board doesn’t become sticky. And then, again, same as we were doing until just now...

Kuro: Well, now we’ll finally let it ferment. Put a wrap around it in a radius of about 30 degrees and leave it for 3 to 4 minutes. It takes time for the dough to become twice its size.

Misaki: At last, huh? With this, all left is to bake...!

Kuro: What are you saying? That’s only the first fermentation. From now, there will be gas releasing, partitioning, resting, shaping, and after those, the second fermentation. We’ll put them in the oven after that.

Misaki: Seriously...?!

[Alarm sounds]

Kuro: Hm! It’s done baking.

Neko: Hmmm~! What a nice scent~! Thanks for the food~! Ow, ow! Agh—Hot, hot!

Shiro: Careful! It just finished baking, so you have to properly blow it. *blows and bites* Delicious! This is super delicious!

Neko: No fair! Me too! *blows and bites* HMM~! TASTYYY~! *eats desperately*

Kuro: Then, I guess I’ll have some too. Thanks for the meal. *eats* Hmm! It’s quite satisfactory. This is the figure of a righteous bread. Hm? Won’t you guys eat?

Tatara: Ah, no... we’re just a little tired, you see.

Misaki: I have no energy to eat.

Kuro: Is that so? Then you’d better do it after resting. We’ll take our leave now. I’ve fulfilled my role, after all.

Tatara: Yatogami, thank you! Thanks to you, Yatogami, we’ve made it this far.

Kuro: No need for gratitude. It was a time for learning many things to me as well. Let’s go, Shiro, Neko.

Shiro: Our Kuro flipped on a weird switch... my bad about that. If we’re able to overlook that and do some activity together again, I’d be happy. Well, then... sorry for intruding~!

Neko: Hm?! Hm! Hmnmhnmnmph~!

(T/N: I can tell that she means to say “wait for me” here. XD)

Izumo: They left, huh?

Mikoto: Nice smell coming from here...

Izumo: Mikoto! Where’d ye come from?!

Mikoto: I’d been sleeping at the back of the shop all this time. Bread, huh? *eats* It’s pretty tasty.

Izumo: Mikoto saying “tasty” is a rare feat... Lemme see. I’ll also... *eats* Hm? Hmm. Hmmm~! It’s true! This is really tasty! It won’t lose at all to the Culinary Club’s! Everyone, try it too!

Misaki: If you’re saying that much...

Reishi: Shall we have some?

Rikio: H-Hmm! TASTYYY~!! I’ve eaten a lot of bread in the academy, but one this tasty is a first~~~!!

Reishi: Wonderful...! The softness of the dough, the pleasant smell, the light sweetness... everything is perfect.

Saruhiko: Hm... Well... it’s not like it isn’t edible...

Misaki: UWOOOH?! WHAT IS THIIIIS?? U-Ultimate... IS THIS THE ULTIMATE BREAD!?

Tatara: Hmm~! Bread after labor is the best, huh?

Izumo: But, Mikoto... ye wakin’ up with some marvelous timing, huh? Just now, we were in a pinch!

Mikoto: You made this bread all together?

Izumo: Yeah. Bein’ harshly beaten up by a Spartan instructor.

Mikoto: Heh.

Izumo: Well, Mr. President of the Blue Club. Makin’ bread was a real hassle, huh?

Reishi: Yes. Indeed. I understood that it requires an incredible effort.

Izumo: Right? On top of it, there’s still the cleaning from now. Makin’ bread on our own while handlin’ a bar at the same time is impossible.

Reishi: Seems so. However, no matter the circumstances, buying bread from the Culinary Club with money is...

Mikoto: I don’t really get it, but it’s fine if it’s not money, right?

Izumo: I see! A trade on both sides? How’s that?

Reishi: Suou. I have slight resistance in accepting a suggestion from you, but... this is fine. Let’s leave it as that.

Izumo: Great! Nice one, Mikoto!

Mikoto: So, what’s this talk about?

Izumo: Eh, ye said that without knowin’?!

Reishi: Then, we will take our leave now as well.

Tatara: Ah, if that’s the case... here, take it.

Reishi: This is...

Tatara: This bread is a present! Please share it with everyone from the Blue Club.

Reishi: Fushimi-kun. Do you think my decision regarding the Red Club today was a little too soft?

Saruhiko: I... don’t care anymore. By the last half of it, I couldn’t think about anything else other than wanting to hurry home.

Reishi: Hm. That’s very like you. Still, this bread is truly delicious. Everyone from the Blue Club will be delighted, right? Only... I hadn’t imagined we’d end up making bread with the people from the Red and Silver clubs.

Saruhiko: Wasn’t that because of a whim of yours?

Reishi: No, this is called fate. Reality is stranger than fiction, after all. You never know what will happen in life. Nevertheless... I enjoyed myself. Days like these every once in a while... are not bad.

#k project #gakuen k #fushimi saruhiko #yata misaki #munakata reishi #kusanagi izumo #yatogami kurou #isana yashiro #neko #ameno miyabi #kamamoto rikio #suou mikoto #k #wonderful school days #drama cd #my translation

[its-love-u-asshole]

Shaking in My Skull [Final]

Pairing: Fushimi Saruhiko/Yata Misaki

Rating: T

Summary: Stuck on the plane between life and death, Saruhiko makes the decision to risk everything, forced to find faith in himself and the headstrong Yata Misaki as they both face unimaginable demons.

Note: Wow, I can't even believe this is the last chapter. I started this fic 8 months ago, started planning even before that, and this fic means so much to me I just can't believe. The first scene of this chapter is one of the three scenes which started the whole fic, so it's extra unreal lol. Thanks to everyone here reading, enjoy! Big thanks to @emeraldwaves  for beta-ing this story from the beginning, and letting me brainstorm ideas and complain about it with her lol! 

Also, because some people asked about the backgrounds of Mikoto and Munakata as well as the other deities, I decided to make a little backstories post for them, which you can find the link to below! ^^

Ao3 Version

8tracks

Backstories Post

.

.

.

.

"Fushimi? Fushimi!"

Saruhiko's eyes snapped open, his breath catching as the smell of city exhaust and fast food assaulted his nostrils. His senses felt overstimulated, the blurs of images and color, coupled with the warm climate making him sweat was enough to leave him not moving and speechless. Where...

But he didn't have to ask, not when his heart was constricting furiously in his chest at the sound of a very familiar voice, his mind reeling from the city bustle which he'd once been so accustomed to. There were cars stuck in traffic on his left hand side, the occasional horn and screech of tires jolting him further out of his stupor.

Saruhiko had no explanation for any of it. It wasn't a dream. It felt too genuine, but maybe it was a hallucination from his trial worn mind, maybe it was another trial entirely, his memories turned against him. It would be cruel sure, but not unexpected, he'd faced worse as a matter of fact. So of course, this was another attempt to remind him of the ever present distance between himself and his life. It had to be.

And yet...

He choked on his own emotions as they blended into his logic. Part of him had to know, had to be able to tell. Each reasoning felt cheap and poor, and he wanted to cry, as unnecessary as it sounded. The hope residing inside him was bubbling up fiercely as he breathed in, his body catching up along with him despite his attempts at denying.

Despite it, Saruhiko felt light, his muscles relaxing in a way that was nearly unfamiliar to him. After so much effort and pain, how could he cope with feeling so brand new all of a sudden?

His hands twitched, and he glanced at them in awe; the skin was uncut and clean, from what he could tell at least, which wasn't much due to his strangely hazy vision. There were no notable scars or detectable shaking, but there was a bow tied neatly around one palm. His pulse raced as he felt the fleece, as if not believing it was there. But it was a fact, wrapped securely over nonexistent wounds. His heart wanted to explode, but the lack of clarity still had him slightly anxious. It reminded him of the hazy image of hell's gate disappearing, alluding him, and he thought maybe this was all a fabrication after all.

It would be the last time he considered such a thing.

Saruhiko could make out his surroundings, but they were blurred, the edges of the cars and the sidewalk too soft, along with the outline of the person in front of him. A person, he told himself, because judging from the sudden scratchiness in his throat as realization closed in, he couldn't handle hoping for the best. But he knew that voice, knew those blonde curls, hazy or not.

But it couldn't be, this couldn't be real...

The burn in his eyes increased.

I failed right? So why...

He recalled the feeling of something slick against his bloody hand, and his breath hitched.

The breeze hit his skin lightly, and he felt something jostle atop his head, and any remaining doubts froze in his mind, permanently destroyed by one voice ringing in his head, for the very last time.

"Well done, Fushimi-kun."

It was there and gone in an instant, but Saruhiko would never let himself forget it.

"Fushimi? Are you even listening to me?" The woman in front of him asked again, and Saruhiko's walls crumbled down. Not waiting a second longer, he slowly reached up, pulling his glasses down to cover his eyes, and watched the world bloom into clarity.

Seri looked annoyed with him, that was for sure, going by her slight pout and narrowed eyes, which did nothing to take away from her overall intimidation. She was as she should've been, rested, well dressed, not a tear or flash of dread in sight. It was how he wanted to remember her, and how he'd hoped for her to remain. There, in front of him, where he now had the courage to reach out. But he stayed frozen, overcome.

She crossed her arms, seeming none too pleased that she was being made to wait for an answer, and Saruhiko would take that any day over her mournful cries.

"Well?" She asked once more, juggling her work bag awkwardly against her shoulder as he continued to stare, too much in shock to do much of anything. So of course, his next words weren't the most refined.

"Um...what?"

Wrong thing to say, apparently.

She all but dropped her bag, which was a big deal, since it was rather new and pricey from what he recalled, and began giving him a surprisingly welcomed piece of her mind.

"I knew it! You weren't listening," she said, barely holding in a groan from the sound of it. He would've apologized, really he would've, considering how much he'd missed her and how he now knew she didn't deserve half the shit he gave her. But well, he had no idea what was going on, or where they'd been going, or what day it even--

"Honestly," she said, softer this time. "I told you this was important. Fu--Saruhiko, I know you think the rehearsal is a waste of time, but I'd really appreciate it if you weren't late alright? It's tomorrow at six, so please, no more complaining okay?"

Oxygen all but left Saruhiko’s body.

Rehearsal. The wedding rehearsal. There was no way…

But well, was there truly any more reason to doubt?

“Seri,” he said, cutting her off sharply, and smarter men would’ve been afraid of the expression she gave in return. Well, or men who hadn’t just supposedly traveled to hell and back. Twice. “What…day is it?”

At the simple question, she seemed caught off guard. It was rather unlike him to forget details like that, especially when his work consisted of dating forms and remembering appointments, but she answered none the less, giving him the final push. “August 14th. Saruhiko…are you feeling alright?”

An understatement, if he’d ever heard one. His limbs finally relaxed, and it took everything for him to not fall to the floor pathetically, to not make a scene right there. He couldn’t comprehend half the emotions running through him, but for once, none were of the purely negative sort.

The one thing he was able to acknowledge was that he was back. Alive. Home.

I made it.

It didn’t feel nearly as unbelievable as before. Slowly, he brought a hand up to cover his mouth, whether to cover the unguarded expression from being shown to the world, or to simply ground himself. It wasn’t important.

Seri was looking at him still, though the annoyance was replaced with a mildly concerned incertitude, waiting for his answer, the bright blue of her eyes holding the same question as before.

Was he alight?

Yeah, he thought, allowing himself a laugh as he stepped forward, never better.

Grabbing her by the wrist, he pulled her into him, crushing her against him with the weight of longing he’d built up over ages. He heard her purse hit the floor from the shock of it, and he squeezed tighter, willing himself not to buckle from the repeating mantra in his head.

You’re back.

You’re back.

She yelped against him, her arms staying tense at her sides, unsure of what was going on. Of course. Saruhiko didn’t give hugs, certainly didn’t reciprocate when others initiated them. It was extremely out of character, and the analysis merely made him cling tighter.

His body quaked a bit as he buried his face into her shoulder, the exhaustion and strife flooding out of him in immense waves, leaving him raw and vulnerable in the best way. People were whispering around them, and yeah, maybe he should’ve waited until they weren’t in the middle of the sidewalk, but honestly, he didn’t care.

Hesitantly, Seri’s hands came up to clutch at his sides, taking another moment to test the waters before she gave in completely, pulling him in without question in the usual strong show of support. Even when she didn’t know what was going on, didn’t know why he was upset, she returned the embrace full force, like the pillar she was.

To think, he once believed he could never need this, could never miss this. Such a coward he’d been. Even now after everything, the urge to push it all away was there, weak in his stomach. The part of him which believed nothing was permanent, everything could be taken away.

But well, he could put that part of him to bed at least for today, because it had lost.

They were all here, he’d kept them waiting, and they would never know. Seri. The guys. Misaki.

Misaki.

His thoughts were in a frenzy as he pulled away, dodging Seri’s concerned hand as it quickly came up to check his temperature. He had no clue where to start, what he was doing, but he let desire pull him for once. Best to start with the people closest to his location. “Where…where are the guys?”

Seri’s voice croaked as she collected herself from the tight hug, picking up her bag hastily as Saruhiko began to read the street signs frantically. “T-the office? B-but—what, Saruhiko…you just—who—”

“Let’s go then, before they clock out,” Saruhiko said sternly, already turning them in the direction of his workplace, when she yanked him back by the arm.

She was afraid for him, he could see it. Having him act crazed, affectionate, it was cause for concern, but she didn’t have to worry. He was fine, better than fine, and it was a miracle he was this coherent, after what he’d just finished accomplishing. She couldn’t have known that though, maybe she would never know, if he decided whether or not to tell her one day. All she understood was something was amiss, and she wanted to help fix it. Somehow, the familiar show of care had him resisting another hug, the memory of her crying over his death a bit too strong in that moment. How had she ever been upset about him being gone? How had any of them? It was Saruhiko who needed them the most.

Slowly, he took a deep breath, fixing her with a calmer gaze, if only to calm her down.

It was unfair of him, to leave her in the dark, he knew it, but while he had all the time in the world now, he felt impatient, because that time would never be satisfactory anymore. Especially when…

When I know the expiration dates.

But well, he would dwell on that another day.

“I forgot to tell them something, I just need to go fill them in,” he replied, less hurried, and her shoulders sagged in slight relief.

Yeah, like how they’re idiots, but they should never change.

Ugh, it sounded stupid even in his head. Maybe he wouldn’t put it that way.

She sighed at him, a million questions probably on her mind, but she took his bait in the end. “Okay, I understand, but we just left the office ten minutes ago, remember? We finished up early, and I told everyone they could head home before the evening rush. If we went back now, there’s no guarantee anyone will be there.” She squinted at him, gauging every reaction, and Saruhiko would’ve found the treatment beyond irritating, had it not been what he needed. Truthfully no, he didn’t remember any of that, but he was starting to.

Right, we started to go home early, earlier than usual…she was wondering if I wanted to help set up for the rehearsal…

The pieces of information gradually began to fit together, but for the life of him, he couldn’t remember what happened next.

Saruhiko clicked his tongue at the inconvenience of both her words and his memory, but Seri knew how to rectify his moods at least, supplying the right words and logic to placate him. “I wouldn’t worry. You’ll see them at the rehearsal tomorrow night, might as well just wait.”

Ah right, she had a point. While a day was a long time to wait, it offered up a solution to his problem, and plus…

Misaki would be there.

As if being pulled, Saruhiko turned in the direction of the Shizume Bridge, where he knew Misaki would be around this time. He died right after me, around this time, so…

If Saruhiko ran, he could probably make it, could intercept the other before the rehearsal, because there was no doubt he couldn’t hide their connection should Misaki see him in the crowded banquet hall. Plus, Misaki didn’t know Saruhiko was alive again, time had been rewritten sure, but all Misaki remembered was Saruhiko failing. Should they meet in public…

Well, the shock and emotion would probably be notable, even if Saruhiko was in control of himself by then.

Annoying.

Regardless, he couldn’t fight the fond smile on his face, the thought of seeing the redhead again too utterly pleasant to resist. Why he hadn’t already booked it towards the other, was because Seri was next to him, and parting from her even for a day wasn’t any simpler, not anymore. Speaking of Seri…

She was gaping at him now, a novel expression for her, and he quickly wiped the smile off his face. Damn, the sudden jump in his character would have to be fixed at some point, or at least more gradual.

“Saruhiko…are you sure you’re not sick? You probably need some sleep. Maybe you shouldn’t come to the—”

“No. I’ll be there. I won’t be late.” Saruhiko made sure to look her in the eyes then, as if he could communicate all he’d learned in those simple statements. Seri just closed her mouth, nodding once, before the softest of smiles bloomed on her face, the trust palpable in the air between them. It was more than he could ask of her, right then. But… “I’m going to head home,” he said, adding a tongue click for good measure. “Maybe sleep isn’t the worst idea you’ve ever had.”

She rolled her eyes at him, but shooed him away regardless, satisfied with the exchange enough to not fret about him. Good. With purpose, he turned on his heel, stepping in the direction of the main street before he was being pulled back by her distressed voice once again.

“Wait! Don’t go that way!” He halted instantly, his reflexes a tad more sharpened now, and raised an eyebrow at her disappointed eyes. “Really? I told you earlier, there’s construction that way, it’s probably dangerous. There’s been a few accidents already.”

Saruhiko would’ve protested, in fact, he was about to. After all, he’d taken that way home many times. It was quicker, more efficient and less likely to waste his time, so naturally it should be worth the slight one in a million risk. He was about to tell her all of this, but he never got to.

Saruhiko felt his body jolt, the memory striking him full force as he froze mid-step on the sidewalk, the familiar smell of fresh pavement invading his senses as it all played back.

“And remember, it’s at six! Don’t forget!”

Seri’s voice grated on his nerves as he made way for the cross walk. The end of the day hadn’t come soon enough, and the last thing he needed was the additional time slot on his calendar being occupied. She’d been reminding him constantly, how could he possibly forget? It was a rehearsal anyhow, why put so much importance on attending? It was pretty useless from his standpoint, he was sure everyone could figure out where they were sitting and what they had to do on the actual day of the wedding. Any extra preparation was severely cutting into his work time. It was a miracle they’d managed to finish early today, and even then, he had more than enough of everyone else’s slack to pick up with the work he was taking home.

Pointless.

Saruhiko clicked his tongue, barely sparing the blonde a glance when she scurried up to him, about to part ways to her own home, which was still in much need of unpacking. He supposed she’d need his help with that too. Great.

“No promises,” he muttered, waiting for the light to signal for him to walk, and ignored the huff she gave in return. He could sense the desire in her to protest, maybe to try and wear him down with some heart felt statement about how much it would mean to her, or whatever it took for him to give her an indication of a futile promise. He wasn’t in the mood, and she should’ve known by then. She was lucky he was involved at all, he’d never seen a point to weddings in the first place, at least beyond the show type aspect of it.

She remained silent however, surprising him, but the silence wasn’t unwelcome. But as he made for the turn to his usual shortcut, where he parted with her on most days, she called out to him. “Wait Fushimi! You shouldn’t go that way, there’s construction remember? There’s been some accidents already…”

Saruhiko scoffed at her, shrugging his backpack further onto his shoulder as he made no move to turn around. “It’s faster, I’ll be fine. I’m not walking all the way around anyways.”

“But—”

“See you tomorrow,” he said, not adding the ‘maybe’ which threatened to leave his mouth. He was irritated, maybe more than what was appropriate, but it had been a long week, and the stress of social occasions on top of it all wasn’t something he was used to. He just wanted to get home so he could start his reports, hopefully Enomoto wouldn’t be there tonight. Saruhiko didn’t trust himself to not snap at anyone right then.

After another block, he’d left Seri behind completely, coming to the intersection which had cement trucks lining the shoulder. Two of the lanes were closed, the cars messily trying to merge together before reaching the broken stoplight, where a lone worker directed the traffic haphazardly. The sounds of horns honking and disgruntled shouts from car windows were abundant, but Saruhiko paid them no mind as he continued to walk.

Soon, he reached the curb, noting how he was the sole pedestrian on that side of the street. It made sense, since most of the large loading trucks were moving in and out from his side, rendering the pedestrian traffic inconvenient at best, but Saruhiko didn’t care enough to move to the other side. The cement truck, whose driver seemed on the verge of a tantrum, could wait. The worker blew the whistle again, motioning for Saruhiko to walk hastily, and he stepped into the road, glaring at the ground as he strode forward.

Apparently, the cement truck driver hadn’t been paying attention though, missing Saruhiko completely, and taking the whistle as his signal to step on the gas. Hard.

Saruhiko barely got a last breath in.

He felt his hands stiffen, his feet stumble as he fell back, crushed by the truck’s force. The nausea came after that, and so did the disassociation. Did he still have legs? He would have to, from the way his femurs snapped. He’d heard it, there was no way he couldn’t. The tremors traveled up, even his eyelids felt the tingles, the harsh stings of force.

His skull shook, and one may have wondered if his brain had survived the hits it took against that fractured mass. The vibrations traveled further still, down his spine, cracking his ribs like twigs in a burning fire.

All this inconceivable, unimaginable pain was felt in just a split second—there for but a moment before it was all gone. Nonexistent, as if it had never happened.

Then, there had been the silence. White walls. The sound of a shoes on a tile floor. Misaki.

Death.

Saruhiko jolted out of the memory, breathing accelerated as if he'd been in the moment again, and his legs froze out of fear, his proximity to the street a bit too unnerving at that moment. It was too much for him, not the reason behind his death, but the moments leading up to it as well.

Stupid. How stupid he'd been. It would've been so easy, so simple to avoid everything. The last thing he'd said to Seri was more of a dismissal, and the only things in his heart had been contempt and displeasure with life as whole. So typical of him.

And what had it gotten him? A journey filled with horror, but also Misaki, and a massive reality check. All the trials and pain, the voices and doubt...

He'd gone through it all, had to push himself and push Misaki, had to depend on the other as well as feel completely alone. The yearning and hopelessness had felt never ending, and now it was over. He had returned, he was alive.

How? How was he worthy of any of it after a death like that?

It's too much.

His knees finally buckled after all his effort to keep steady, to act normal, he couldn't anymore. The weight of reality was finally crashing down, all he'd been through was finally standing out in his mind. He was having the moment, the I can't believe I'm here moment.

Was this how Misaki had felt, after being told he was victorious.

God, it was like a high he never hoped would end, but also a painful remembrance. But really, how had he ever questioned coming back? How had he been so close to dismissing this?

"Saruhiko!" Seri rushed to his side, catching some of his weight before he was able to collapse fully, shouldering him as best she could. She was always strong, but he'd never appreciated it more. He could hug her all over again in that moment, and suddenly he thought it might be worth it, to run back to the office and see who was there. "Ugh, that's it, there's no way I'm letting you go home by yourself." She looked around, eyeing the intersection ahead with skepticism. "Well, if you really think the shortcut is the fastest way, maybe we should--"

"No." His answer was quick, harsh enough to cut, and she startled notably at the tone until he started to backtrack. "I mean, there's no point, with both of us and the construction, it'll take the same amount of time." He sighed as irritably as he could, hoping the nerves and mixed relief didn't shine through. If he could help it, he would never walk that way again, and he sure as hell wouldn't let Seri either.

He thought of Misaki though, of him standing on the bridge alone, alive but without him, and felt the pang of guilt intensify within him. But with Seri being overprotective and his desire to collapse from exhaustion, there was no way he could go searching, no matter how badly he wanted to. Saruhiko had ventured to hell and back to see the redhead again, to kiss him again, and one day seemed far too long. But part of him knew he had no choice, he would have to wait, would have to let Misaki suffer alone for a handful of hours before he spent the rest of his life making it up to him. It was almost amusing, the thought of seeing the other the next night, for the first time in the living world. He guessed the rehearsal truly was where their story was meant to begin, had things not taken a wrong turn.

So be it.

He pulled Seri far away from the curb, not wanting to walk anywhere near the bustling evening traffic, and began the short journey to his apartment with content. Seri quirked an eyebrow in confusion, throwing up her free hand in surrender at his weird behavior. As she shook her head in disbelief, she balanced him better, but refused to let him pull away completely, like he'd surely fall over if she didn't keep some sort of connection to him. He didn't refuse. "Alright, we'll go the long way then."

"Mm, thanks."

She blanched once more at the easy display of appreciation from him, the sincerity of his tone, and he vaguely wondered how long it would be before she became used to it. Part of him also dreaded how the guys would react to it. Ugh.

Though, the annoyance he feigned was barely there at all anymore. He sighed, the familiar walk, one devoid of creatures and ghostly whispers, seeping into his mind, a memory he'd be sure to catalog for many years to come. The walk home.

As they made their way, Seri huffed, shaking her head slightly. "You really must be sick. That's the last time I let Domyoji make the coffee in the morning, I thought it tasted strange, but you just kept drinking it so--"

Saruhiko snorted, letting her prattle on about their friend’s inability to brew decent coffee, vaguely remembering having no choice but to consume the foul liquid on many occasions. He'd let her believe it was only that, at least for now. He'd tell them all someday, before it was too late, about the challenges and beatings he'd endured, the nightmares...

But for now, he enjoyed the lightness of the conversation, and the warmth settling deep in his chest.

"Huh? What's so funny?" Seri looked up at him, hand tightening on his arm, and he thought yeah, this is more than enough for now.

He stared tiredly at her, the smallest of smiles on his face. "You're right. It must've been the coffee." 

--

When Yata woke up on the morning of August 15th, it was as if he'd been pulled under water again, unable to breathe or comprehend anything going on around him, though he was alone in his simple apartment. It was less like how drowning had felt, and more like he had been submerged in a tank, watching as a flurry of memories, events which would now never come into existence, played before his eyes.

 In fact, he'd been feeling this way since his return, since the previous evening when he had walked home, debating on the first course of action, while also juggling the grief still heavy in his heart.

 Except, it had felt as if it hadn't been the first time he'd done so. Upon seeing the old paintings in his living room, he couldn't help but think, didn't I throw those out? And upon hesitating to dial his mother's phone number, he wondered why he could already feel the ghost of her arms around him, shushing him in comfort.  

 The weight of longing and sadness when he thought of Saruhiko was there of course, but it felt extra painful, like it was a wound long healed which had been torn open again, left to bleed anew.

 But why was that?

 Yata raised his hand to his face, eyes squinting as the beginning trickles of sunlight bled into his room, and felt the dried tears on his face, the roughness of his skin. As gently as he could, like one wrong move could disrupt everything around him, he rolled over in his bed and stared at the date on his digital clock.

 August 15th. Yeah, that was right, felt right...but also, seemed hugely inaccurate. Surely, it was the result of Yata's mournful state, his confusion, the trauma he was attempting to come to terms with. He'd yet to touch his paints, yet to eat or think about anything worthwhile really.

 The fact that he'd officially beaten death, that he'd finally moved on to the next day of his life, was no doubt a shock he hadn't been ready for, and that's why he felt so unstable.

It would get easier...better, part of him knew it, as if he'd already experienced it, but at the end of it all, each new day would be without Saruhiko, and Yata wondered if he'd ever comfortably be able to accept that.

 Timidly, he sat up, the bed suddenly a little too lonely, which was funny, since Saruhiko had only ever shared a dirtied surface with Yata for sleep. Regardless, Yata craved the warmth of another person next to him. He groaned as he stretched, feeling gross from the street wear he had slept in--he hadn't bothered to change--and the ghost of grime on his skin. He knew technically all the evidence from the journey had been erased from his flesh, save for the suspicious scar here and there, but he could sense the dirt under his now clean fingernails, the sweat and dried blood. It was all in his head yeah, but muscle memory was a powerful thing too. He kicked aside a box of art supplies, grimacing at the shades of blue which caught his eyes, and chose to slump down onto the floor. He wasn't ready to make the effort of picking out new clothes for the day, and it was better than the cold bed.

 Come to think of it, did he have to get ready at all? The rehearsal should've been cancelled, the one which required the fancy suit which Yata had reluctantly hung up in his closet, and which was probably exactly as he'd left it. Of course, the rehearsal was only a set event if things went according to plan, plans involving no deaths in the bride's party...

 At the thought of facing Saruhiko's grieving friends, or imagining how they must be feeling right then, Yata's stomach dipped, threatening to expel what little was inside it. He would need to learn to control that, or simply avoid any talk of funerals and wakes all together. Surely the pain was still fresh for those close to Saruhiko, and for Kusanagi, who was left with comforting his fiancé.

 Yet, he'd gotten no text from Kusanagi the previous day about the tragedy, no alert about cancelling the rehearsal or being unavailable himself. In confusion, Yata pulled out his phone, watching it light up with two notifications. His breath hitched upon seeing Kusanagi's name, but as he read the text, the world around him seemed less and less secure.

 Kusanagi: Yata, I hope you're up already. Don't forget, you promised to come help the boys set up for the dinner today, see you around noon.

Kusanagi: Also, bring your suit. I don't know if you'll have time to head home and change before the dinner starts.

 Yata's first reaction after the distraught faded was to panic. What? The rehearsal was still happening? How?

 His fingers scratched against the carpet, the frozen appendages barely getting feeling back as his thoughts reeled left and right. The possibilities he came up with were minimal, but none too pleasant. Perhaps no one knew about Saruhiko yet, maybe no one had been expecting to hear from him until the dinner.

 When he doesn't show up...

 Yata thought he might actually be sick, and he retreated to the bathroom for good measure, head suddenly pounding. The ceramic of the toilet felt too cold against his clammy hands, and it was just one of many sensations which were too much for him at the moment. The texture of the tile floor, the footsteps from the floor above him, the material of his clothes...

 His brain was having too much trouble processing it in addition to the crushing realization that he would have to witness Saruhiko's family finding out about his death. That and the realization he too, would finally know how the other perished.

 "Fuck..." Yata groaned, debating on whether he should just skip out, call in sick and deal with Kusanagi's wrath. It wasn't like it would last anyhow...soon the older man would have to deal with a postponed wedding, and a mourning fiancé. It would be easy...to avoid the pain for a second time around. After all, the last thing he wanted to hear was that Saruhiko was gone. He knew, but it didn't make the pangs of loneliness any weaker. Yata tended to be an empathetic guy, from what people told him, seeing so much grief over Saruhiko, who to everyone else, was a complete stranger to him, would be utterly impossible to bear.

 Hesitantly, he pulled up his messaging app, reading to give Kusanagi some excuse about not being able to attend, but his fingers wouldn't type. Stupid...as if you could get away with this.

No one would understand, and he wasn't the type of person to lie to a friend, he wasn't sure he was capable of it. He had to go.  What kind of friend would he be if he didn't stand by Kusanagi in support when the evening fell to shit?

 Acting oblivious would be difficult, but any tears he spilled could surely be blamed on atmosphere, on pity.

 He scoffed at the word, hating it suddenly, because his cries would forever be of loss.

 But well, maybe part of him kind of owed it to Saruhiko too, to offer whatever comfort he could to the taller's loved ones, since Saruhiko could not. With the grounding thought in mind, Yata straightened up and away from the toilet, letting the calm buzz of the bathroom lights fill the air as his breathing rate lowered, and his panic dissolved.

 Right, you have to go for Saruhiko. He won't be able to. You have to get it together dammit! Not just then, but for the sake of his life, for his future. Yata would live enough for the both of them.

 With shaky movements, Yata stood up from the floor, shedding his t-shirt as he turned on the shower, letting steam seep into the small space. As he left to grab his suit from the closet and lay down new clothes onto his bed, his eyes caught sight of his old paintings, and the dull and superficial colors which had seemed to taunt him yesterday didn't look as bad.

 Maybe he might try to sell them, gain some extra money and start new. The stuff he used to paint before weren't as appealing to him now, and he felt his hands itch for different themes, for stories of trials and love, and most of all himself. Of course, he'd throw in some blues here and there too.

 Yata actually managed to crack a smile at that, excited for his slowly developing vision of the future, and reorganized the box of paints he had impulsively kicked earlier. Much better.

 Not everything was lost, he knew it. Today would be hard, about as hard as any of the trials of the afterlife, but he'd get to see and laugh with his friends for a little while, and things would improve as the weeks went by. More than anything, Yata resigned to see his mom, and apologize to her fully for his absence. Everything else would fall into place, and he could pace himself as much as he needed to.

 He walked back towards the bathroom, his entrance into the steam almost refreshing as he looked towards better days. Though life without Saruhiko would never be one hundred percent, Yata would carry the other with him in all he did and created, and the hopeful thought was enough to give him the energy he needed. And while something in his gut told him something was still amiss, he ended up walking out of the shower with more purpose than ever before.

--

His eyes never stopped searching for the thousand watt grin, for shining amber eyes, for the familiar brightness in the dark he had begun to crave. Or, that’s what he was used to, but maybe the world around him wasn’t so dark anymore.

Saruhiko turned away from the entrance of the room, which he’d been watching like a hawk, and let himself gaze at madness surrounding him. It was a good madness this time though. The reception hall was probably the least extravagant part of Seri’s wedding, but it was no less decorated, the lighting and fixtures catering to the color scheme perfectly. It felt empty as it was now, tables devoid of the off white table cloths and twinkling lights above, giving it the sought after fantasy look. Those things would be absent until the big day though, for now the large room held empty tables with cheap covers, the artificial light from above casting a bright glow as the bride and groom saw to inspecting it, laying out the seating cards and making sure the flower arrangements wouldn’t be too cluttered. Only the immediate family and friends of the two of them were present, barely fifteen people in total. It made the room look twice as barren, but oh well. When it was filled with guests and music, drenched in smells of cakes and food, Saruhiko was sure Seri would be pleased with it, though she constantly complained throughout the rehearsal that things weren’t right or weren’t properly placed. He didn’t get it himself, did all that really matter?

Saruhiko nearly had the nerve to ask, but Kusanagi, ever the stoplight to disaster, had elbowed him sharply, smile wide as he preached about the bride always being right in these cases. Whatever. It wasn’t like Saruhiko was going to argue, he was content enough as it was, just seeing the blonde and her fiancé fretting about, alive and well in their acts of scolding. Things had calmed down anyhow, the food for dinner being brought in and laid out, along with copious amounts of alcohol courtesy of Kusanagi’s bar. Apparently, Kusanagi’s party had showed up in the afternoon to set up, and were now beginning to wind down, but from where Saruhiko sat, there was no sign of Misaki. Initially, he’d been wandering about, paranoid that something had happened, convinced he’d never be allowed to see Misaki again in some cruel twist of fate, but he’d eventually been escorted to a place setting. It was his assigned seat, a spot at a large table, and it would’ve been an anxious wait, being forced to sit and stare at the one way into the room, had it not been for—

“Fushimi-san! You’re not going to drink?” Enomoto happily held up his own glass and another, handing it to Fuse. Seven pairs of eyes were on him instantly, and he shrugged at the full table of his coworkers. It was only natural they’d all been seated together, and he found the proximity strangely comforting.

It had been refreshing all evening, his yearning for Misaki aside, amidst his party’s bickering and griping during set up. Saruhiko had almost forgotten what it was like, being influenced by each and every quirk and personality trait they had to offer. Hidaka complained about the lack of girls in Kusanagi’s party, as if the wedding would be his first step on a road to true love, and Domyoji was more concerned with the DJ and food, pulling out clippings of suggestions (as if Seri hadn’t booked a caterer months in advance). Kamo made sure his daughter wasn’t getting into things, happy as ever that it was his time with her that month, and Akiyama was lost in a conversation with Benzai, sitting a bit too close to not be a bit suspicious to Saruhiko. Though it was hard to ponder too much on it with Gotou talking his ear off for a good portion of the evening. Saruhiko had simply asked him about one of his collections, and the sudden interest in his hobby had lit a fuse of some sort. Saruhiko couldn’t mind too much. As for Enomoto and Fuse well…they were as affectionate as he remembered them, but less sickeningly so.

Saruhiko had initially taken care as to not seem so different around them, but with their smiles and loudness, as well as their need to throw him in the middle of their conversations, he had dropped the act hours ago. Besides, seeing their surprised reactions to his sudden ‘niceness’ was a gift in and of itself.

It didn’t mean he had changed completely though, and the sharp criticisms remained apparent in his speech whenever they got too rowdy. Saruhiko rolled his eyes at them, willing the attention away. “Unlike you all, I like to actually be in control of my actions,” he said, clicking his tongue as he eyed the champagne critically. “Besides, I’d hate to be the one of you who gets too drunk and ruins the dinner.”

Oh how Seri’s punishment would be steep.

“Hey! Why are you implying that it’ll be one of us?” Hidaka jumped in, his own glass sloshing messily, and Saruhiko snorted from the panic in his eyes. Fuse neglected to comment, sipping his drink in amusement while the rest of the table laughed, and Saruhiko bathed in the familiarity of it all. Hidaka’s expression was nothing short of petulant, but he was always quick to recover. “This is hardly a good atmosphere to get drunk anyways! After work tomorrow, you’re totally coming to a bar with us Fushimi-san!”

It was meant more as a distraction, since the invitation had been uttered from the mouths of his coworkers one too many times, and for the most part, they were used to his outright refusal. Even in the last few years, with his less standoffish nature, it would take copious amounts of begging to get him anywhere near a public outing with the lot of them. As for now though… “Sure. Let me know where,” he replied, tone bored as his eyes scanned the crowd, back to their earlier task of locating a particular redhead.

He didn’t bother looking at their gaping expressions, but he felt them, the disbelieving eyes boring into his back irritatingly. Three, two, one…

Rather than a direct verbal assault though, they tag teamed, with Hidaka fearlessly grabbing Saruhiko’s face and jerking it towards him, stupidly inspecting his features while Gotou poked him. In the meantime, Fuse saw his opening at last, the bastard, and promptly let loose his skepticism. “Are you sure you’re Fushimi Saruhiko? You haven’t been replaced with some android, trying to gain our favor in order to steal government secrets?”

“Yeah, you didn’t even threaten to kill me when I spilled coffee on you earlier!” Domyoji jumped in, raising an accusing finger. “You’re an imposter!”

Wrenching away from Hidaka’s grip (who finally had the nerve to look a bit abashed about it), Saruhiko fixed them with a glare, mostly annoyed from being distracted from his watch, but there wasn’t as much animosity as usual, and the idiots began to use it as more concrete evidence as to why he had been replaced (possibly by aliens now).

“I’m surprised you all managed to figure it out, you got me,” he deadpanned, and it fed into the madness.

“He has jokes now!” Domyoji’s shout garnered more than a few stares, and Seri directed a fierce glare at them, the typical ‘I love you but shut up’ traveling across the hall. The ginger had enough sense to quiet down, as much as he could at least, but he was soon smirking again, nudging Akiyama in the side as he spoke. “Pft, I bet Fushimi-san would even let me hug him now, huh?” He snorted at the thought, the rest of the table raising their eyebrows at just the suggestion, joke or not.

However, it gave Saruhiko just what he needed to shut them up. A dangerous smirk made its way onto his face, and the atmosphere at the table might as well have plunged in temperature. Not his fault, they were the ones testing his patience. Blinking slowly, he fixed Domyoji with his challenging expression, enjoying how the older boy notably gulped. “As a matter of fact, I would. Why don’t you try it?”

Benzai paled, Enomoto choked, and the rest of them didn’t seem to know what to make of the situation. Domyoji straightened in his seat, innocent eyes widening as he took in the words. “W-wait…really? You’re not joking?”

“Nope.”

It was easy to see the cogs turning in Domyoji’s head, trying to discern if it was a bluff or not, and really, Saruhiko hardly knew either. Though he was never much for physical contact of any sort, something about traveling to hell twice just to sit at this table full of losers made him a bit more willing.

Domyoji squinted at him, but rose from his seat anyways, inching little by little towards Saruhiko. The rest of the table held their breaths. “O-okay…imma do it…last chance to back out ha…”

“I’m waiting,” Saruhiko said, eyes never leaving the quivering form of Domyoji. Enomoto was biting his nails.

“Y-yeah, prep-prepare to be hugged!”

“Joy.”

Domyoji was about a foot away now, and it had taken him a good two minutes to cross the initial five foot distance from around the table, and Saruhiko could feel the warmth and tension radiating off him now. He inched forward again, the sleeve of his jacket just touching Saruhiko’s shoulder…

“Oh god, never mind!” Domyoji shouted suddenly, flying back into his seat at lightning speed, clutching Akiyama’s arm. “Hell no! It’s like walking into a venus fly trap!”

Saruhiko smirked triumphantly as his friends exhaled, laughing at the ginger’s expense, and soon the topic of his sudden personality change was lost to comforting Domyoji, and trying to not attract more attention. He considered it a success.

--

The reception hall had filled considerably in the next half hour, the remaining relatives and college peers flooding in to take their seats.

Still no Misaki. Saruhiko had begun to shred napkins in his lap, glaring at the childishness of it as he reached for yet another. The emotion bubbling up inside him was fierce, upset at being caged, and he willed it down. He caught Enomoto staring at him a few times in concern, but Saruhiko prayed the other wouldn’t bring it up in front of everyone else.

The sound of clicking heels distracted him from worrying, if only for a moment. Seri came bounding over in quick strides, and Saruhiko was pretty sure he hadn’t seen her sit down once since the evening began.

“Alright guys, food is out and almost everyone is seated,” Seri announced to them in a hushed whisper as she approached the table, hands smoothing over the front of her embroidered evening dress. “How do I look? I’m going to go meet Kusanagi’s side of the family now.”

Gotou’s eyebrows knitted together as he looked her over. A backless A-line dress, blue in color, with gold beading in the front, and high heels to match. Simple, but regal. “Wait…didn’t you meet them earlier during set up?”

She crossed her arms, the question deemed unacceptable from the simple movement. “I mean yes, I met some of the guys, but no formal introductions, certainly no family or college friends! Proper introductions are in order.” She said the last bit with a frazzled gesture to her person, and wordlessly, they all gave her the thumbs up, which was enough for her to tuck a stray piece of hair back with a pin, and train a smile to her face before walking back into the fray. Saruhiko did not envy her. However, she turned back around halfway, like she’d forgotten something, and grabbed a new glass of champagne quickly before returning to them.

Benzai was about to ask what was the issue, but he never got the chance.

“Thank you all for coming to this,” she started, voice notably softer, a tone saved for them, and she raised her glass. Her crystal blue eyes twinkled with something private as she scanned over each of their faces, and Saruhiko clenched his pile of shredded paper, remembering why he’d tried so hard to make it back to this life, one where he could hear such pointless words. Except, he couldn’t call them that anymore, huh? “I know planning this has been hectic, and it’s probably going to get worse with the wedding in a month, but…having your help, I couldn’t ask for better friends, my pillars of strength. Cheers to all of you.”

Calendar dates and years repeated themselves in his mind as he and everyone else raised a glass, but he paid no mind, knowing it was useless. What was meant to happen would, as much as it angered him, but the things he could control, like this, he’d gladly take advantage of.

Seri wiped her eyes, taking a fast gulp of her champagne before she was off, leaving them in a bubble of stunned silence amongst the chirps of laughter and greetings. Saruhiko’s hands went back to his half shredded napkin, but suddenly he had no energy for that either.

“And with that…it’s time for more alcohol,” Hidaka sniffed, standing with Domyoji and excusing them to the banquet spread. Kamo seemed less than pleased with the example they set, but it didn’t matter, because soon he was being dragged away by his daughter anyhow, eager to get first crack at the desserts being laid out. As for everyone else, they dispersed, Akiyama and Benzai disappearing to somewhere unknown, and Gotou left to greet some of Seri’s in laws, as was appropriate. It left Fuse and Enomoto with him, which he didn’t mind so much, except for the fact they obviously knew something was amiss with him, his head turning continuously towards the entrance, eyes scanning the crowds.

If they exchanged some sort of knowing look, Saruhiko wouldn’t know, but after a few minutes, Fuse was excusing himself none too subtly, touching Enomoto’s shoulder as he made for the banquet table. Great.

It wasn’t helpful that Enomoto sat almost directly in front of him from across the table, the eye contact, although shy, searing as Saruhiko avoided it. He was fairly sure Enomoto was angling himself now, trying to catch Saruhiko’s eye, periphery or otherwise, but upon finally realizing Saruhiko’s resistance, sighed in resignation.

Not ‘I guess I’ll give up’ resignation, no, the ‘guess I’ll talk to him anyways’ resignation. Ugh.

“Fushimi-san…you seem distracted,” Enomoto commented, like it wasn’t obvious to them both. Saruhiko appreciated his attempt to not seem nosy though.  “Are you looking for someone?”

Someone. Hm.

To him, Misaki was more than a someone, he was everything. It was as scary as it was pathetic, but it shouldn’t be a surprise. They’d gone through alot together, Saruhiko had done so much to just be able to see the redhead again, to start fresh and build something together. The separation he’d been forced to endure, the pain and desperation, it made it so clear in his head. He wanted to be with Misaki, in whatever way the redhead would permit, though Saruhiko’s selfish desires clouded up the vision quite a bit. Now, the distance between them, which was now minimal, barely there at all, felt agonizing. So yes, he was looking for someone, the one who should’ve been there from the start. There was no use denying part of that, he guessed.

“You could say that,” Saruhiko replied, trying to keep the strain out of his voice. He was watching Kusanagi’s main table, where a band of young men were seated, drinking and laughing away.  Saruhiko recognized them from the Return, from the vision Munakata had allowed them to see, but they were happy now. Only one thing was similar: Misaki was missing.

Enomoto beamed after recovering from the initial shock of actually getting an answer out of him, skipping a few seats over until he was almost in front of Saruhiko. “Who? Someone special?”

It was hard to fight the fondness welling up inside him from those words, because really, they were true. He couldn’t let that show though, Misaki was supposed to be a stranger. Saruhiko might be able to get away with calling him an acquaintance, someone he met outside of work by happenstance and who just so happened to be part of Kusanagi’s group. That was even a stretch, openly admitting any deeper involvement was ill advised. He kept it in mind, when choosing his words. “Someone who…doesn’t annoy me I guess.”

Enomoto actually had the nerve to snort at that, fixing him with an uncharacteristic smug smile, and Saruhiko knew the intent he’d tried to get across had failed the moment those olive eyes twinkled in delight. Oh well. Not like it mattered. If he kept all these idiots around, and he’d be sure to, they’d be finding out about Misaki sooner or later, and much to Saruhiko’s chagrin.

“Fushimi-san, that’s basically you for ‘someone I like’ you know?” Enomoto said, rising from his chair before Saruhiko could respond. Not like he’d actually had an answer to such a bold statement though. He guessed his friends really did know his quirks to the smallest detail. He could deal with that, he supposed.

Giving him one last wink over his shoulder, Enomoto sauntered off to his boyfriend, leaving Saruhiko alone at the table, waiting dutifully once again.

The group toasts, the ones which included the whole room were about to begin, the last of the late arrivals grabbing plates of food and taking their seats. Saruhiko could see Kusanagi checking on his own tables, while anyone who had been standing halted their conversations as they waited for the bride to take the mic. Saruhiko was going to tune out the speeches, not needing Seri’s rehearsed words, stress induced, to reach his ears. Besides, the last of his focus had quickly dwindled, eyes drooping in a sudden bout of disappointment. Funny, it was an emotion he had never let himself feel before, too worried about his attachments and the grief they could bring. Now, it overcame him in waves as the room quieted, missing the one voice he so craved and—

“Where’s Yata?”

Jerking his head up, Saruhiko sought the source of the voice, catching Kusanagi talking to another young man wearing glasses, the dark rim of his hat occasionally hiding his eyes. “Oh, I think he’s still in the back unloading the last of the alcohol. Awashima-san was worried we were running out,” the man said, and a brief spark of stress flashed across Kusanagi’s face.

“Damn, we’re about to start. I’ll—”

Saruhiko’s chair scratched against the floor from the force and speed with which he sat up, crossing the several feet to Kusanagi in record time, much to the two’s surprise. Saruhiko didn’t care. “I’ll go get him, things are starting soon Kusanagi-san,” Saruhiko said, looking over to where Seri was beginning to fiddle with the mic. “Awashima won’t appreciate the wait.”

“Ah,” Kusanagi said, a bit startled. “Thank you Fushimi…uh, he should be right out back, just call his name and—”

“Got it.” Saruhiko barely finished before he was turning around, stalking out of the main entrance and veering left, towards the building’s back exit.

The hallway was long, but the door was in plain sight, each footstep beginning to echo louder and louder as he approached. It was déjà vu, but not, seeing as how the first time he had been so nervous approaching a door, it meant terrors of unimaginable proportion were waiting for him. This time, all he’d encounter was a warm embrace, soft skin, a voice which Saruhiko had used to motivate him through fire and dangers of all kinds.

This was it. After all this time…

Who knew how long it had actually been, years maybe, with how long his second journey had felt. He wondered what Misaki had done in that span, before time had been rewritten. All because of Saruhiko, and his stubbornness. He almost felt guilty, stealing away all of the progress Misaki must’ve managed in that time, but the selfishness in his heart was too strong, the relief he felt greater than everything else.

"Saruhiko! Did you hear that? You'll see your friends, it'll all be the same!”

In the end, Misaki had been right. They were picking up right where they left off, and then some. Saruhiko shouldn’t have doubted him, Misaki and his strange, but unyielding faith in the both of them. Surely, Saruhiko would have to pay that back, and he would, in whatever way Misaki wanted. Saruhiko would never be perfect, still shouldered a lot of the same issues as before, but he was willing to try now, and he could only hope Misaki would appreciate it.

Heh, gods know I appreciate him.

And Saruhiko couldn’t help but wonder if they, those beings who had been rooting for him from their gaudy thrones, were watching this moment too, holding their breath as Saruhiko was, heart beats stalling as he pushed the door open…

The cold night air hit him, the alley darker than the nearby street due to its lack of light, illuminated by a lone lamppost as a figure unloaded one last box off the back of a car. Saruhiko froze, the agony of separation and too much effort falling away in an instant when he caught a glimpse of fiery hair and toned arms.

Misaki had his back to him, the occasional curse being muttered as he cut open the last box with a knife, his back muscles flexing from carrying the heavy load and stacking it on top of the others. His suit jacket was lying haphazardly on one of the boxes, his shirt sleeves rolled up and somewhat stained with dirt. The pants he wore needed to be hemmed, from what Saruhiko could tell, and had he not been so taken by the image before him, he might’ve commented.

It wasn’t the time though.

Misaki rested his hands on his hips, looking over his work with a heavy sigh, like he’d never done a harder task. Saruhiko smiled softly, and he thought he saw Misaki laugh, like they’d unknowingly shared the same thought. Misaki had done much harder feats of labor, they both had. Complaining about anything else was ridiculous at that point.

It was the reminder of those shared challenges, the connection between them, and the memory of Misaki’s bone crushing hug as the redhead left him in hell, that had Saruhiko’s fingers slipping from the door, letting it slam shut, tearing through the silence.

Misaki jumped, amber eyes shooting to meet his blue ones, and the revelation was instantaneous. The echo of the door slamming filled the silence, as if the noise was having trouble traveling through the thickness of it. Saruhiko swallowed, because seeing Misaki’s eyes, so vibrant, so alive…it was more than he could handle.

It all seemed to stand still, and Saruhiko wondered if seconds even passed while he watched Misaki’s lip tremble, and felt his own blood rush, his heart beat ringing in his ears. It would make sense, given what he knew, for time to be manipulated, for higher forces to give him this one moment, unaffected by time or whatever was happening in the dining room. After all the universe had taken, it indulged him in this, letting him feel the burst of love he felt for the person only twelve feet away.

It was the connection which had guided him to safety.

Saruhiko was on the ground before he could blink, if he’d even been able to, too taken with the image of Misaki in the flesh and blood before him. Misaki’s arms were around him, nuzzling his face into his neck as Saruhiko toppled back, catching himself right before his back hit the dirt. His jacket was probably ruined, he couldn’t care less. He pulled Misaki farther into his arms, legs squeezing against the redhead’s sides due to the force of the full body hug, warmth unlike anything Saruhiko had ever felt before flooding him.

Searing. Full of life.

“You’re here….” Saruhiko whispered, the feelings which had built up too much to hold back any longer.

Misaki pulled his face away from the taller’s neck, staring with wide, disbelieving eyes as he half cried, half laughed. “I’m here? You dumbass, what about you? What are...” Misaki trailed off as his gaze lowered to Saruhiko’s lips, and Saruhiko’s intentions weren’t far off. They met in the middle, kisses quick and desperate, drinking each other up like they could disappear again in the next minute. But something told him that they’d never let that happen again, they would find a way back to each other, because they were that idiotically stubborn, deep down. Misaki tasted like mint, a flavor which had been absent the first time they’d kissed. It was a small, embarrassing detail, but Saruhiko reveled in it. Misaki’s taste.

Misaki held the last kiss for longer this time, though Saruhiko was hopeful there’d be many more in the future, and his eyes were on Saruhiko again, pupils blown wide and searching. Misaki let his body relax, legs repositioning to sit on either side of Saruhiko’s waist, and shook his head. “How is this…what…how are you here? Munakata said you…”

The words were lost to the noiseless air, too grave to be spoken again, like they were cursed. It was silly, to fear such a thing, but Saruhiko was still in shock if he was being honest, hadn’t fully recovered from returning to that moment on the street on an August evening. Life was so fragile, he was hyperaware of how he could lose it again, from the drive to the rehearsal to walking to work. Even for him, who had beaten the odds and returned, wasn’t guaranteed the next day. No one was.

But this, Misaki staring at him with confusion and unhidden fondness…he’d try to keep it as long as possible.

There was a lot to explain, where should he begin? Was it worth retelling those months of agony, the months spent lying around until the solution had come to him? Would Misaki want to know about each new trial? Would Saruhiko actually be able to tell him? There was so much to share, and yet he had no idea what was appropriate. Something told him the redhead would want to hear it all though, the journey which had brought him back.

Misaki leaned down at the same time Saruhiko pushed himself up farther, their foreheads bumping, like a silent and eternal pact between them. I’m on your side.

Yeah, sounds about right.

Saruhiko sighed, figuring he’d best start at the beginning, and opened his mouth. “I—”

The applause from the adjoining room reminded him of where they were though, what they were supposed to be, versus what they were. Somehow he didn’t mind the interruption, the reminder. Saruhiko stared at the door leading back to the reception hall, back to the world they now both shared, and Misaki laughed from his spot on top of him.

“Eh Saru, maybe you should save it,” Misaki said, smiling as he got up and offered Saruhiko his hand. “I think we’re late.”

Saruhiko managed to crack a smile at Misaki’s poorly concealed amusement, because yeah, time was a thing they actually had to worry about again, passing regularly and all too quickly, unaltered except for those truly worthy.

With a soft nod, Saruhiko grabbed his partner’s hand, the snug fit all too familiar and infinitely perfect, and followed him into the building.

--

Yata shut off the television, staring with displeasure at the blank screen. “Well, that was shit.” He dropped the remote in defeat, plopping onto his side on the soft couch, one which he never got tired of sinking into. After so many years of his shitty, torn up couch which could barely hold Saruhiko and him at the same time, the new plush couch had been an amazing addition. Of course, they'd had to wait a year or so before they'd gotten it, since they needed a bigger apartment to fit the furniture, but it had been worth the wait.

Yeah...

Lots of things had been worth the wait.

Yata smiled as he looked out across the ample sized living room, which was nearly as big as his old apartment in total size, and basked in the afternoon glow seeping in through the windows. They'd been living there for a few short months, but Yata had gladly associated it with feelings of comfort, as a refuge. Home. Sometimes the fridge buzzed too loud and the lights flickered, the sink would routinely clog and they needed to replace some of the tile in the kitchen...but mostly, he couldn't ask for better.

The sound of typing reached his ears from the table, along with a disinterested hum as the owner of the device addressed Yata. "I told you it looked awful, you shouldn't have wasted your time."

Yata watched as Saruhiko stretched in his lounge wear, looking like the perfect mix of annoyed and relaxed as he shut his laptop, scooting it away from him and jostling Yata's strewn about art supplies, all of which sat on the table. Yata usually yelled at him for not respecting his stuff, but he also knew Saruhiko had told him to get his crap off the table many times in the first place, so there was no use in arguing. The table was always a mess, and it would probably stay that way forever.

Yata's smile grew, the reminder of Saruhiko always being by his side too wonderful to ignore. He knew it like his own name now, but even after two years and all their time in the afterlife together, the thought of Saruhiko beside him made his stomach flip. It proved to be true in any case, especially when he'd wake up at night drenched in sweat, images of barren wastelands and tombs fresh in his mind, to find Saruhiko wide awake beside him, gripping his hand tight. Yata would do the same for the taller in return, when the talk of the future came up, when certain years and dates approached, and the light left Saruhiko’s eyes for brief moments.

They coped the best they could in those times, and Yata knew those things wouldn't ever go away, yet...he couldn't help but find himself incredibly happy.

Well, except when he was subjected to shitty movies.

"The effects looked cool! It was just...I totally knew everything that was gonna happen, and I wasn't expecting all the hell and heaven scenes..."

Saruhiko snorted, leaning back in his chair before scowling in distaste at his now dull soda. "You knew going in it was a story about angels and demons, you should know better than to watch those anymore," Saruhiko sighed. "They're pathetically unrealistic."

Got that right. It was a tired joke between them, movies about death and the afterlife, or any themes similar. Since having experienced the real thing, the appeal of such plots often fell short. While Saruhiko had given up trying to enjoy films about that stuff, Yata was more stubborn. He continuously searched, eager for an outlet for his own experience, but of course, found none. Saruhiko routinely reminded him that, as far as they knew, no one else had any idea what awaited them in the great beyond, or whatever. It remained annoying regardless, but lately he'd started to ponder a new option, and it grew more and more enticing with each day.

Well, if we're the only ones who know...

The idea poked harder at Yata’s brain, and well, when he actually was inspired it was hard to resist. Standing up with a huff, he walked over to the table, grabbing his tablet and inspecting it with a bit too much focus, like it would give him all the answers rather than him actually doing any work. If only it were so simple. "I should just make my own story, I've been getting better with my digital stuff, I could do a comic..."

Instinctively, his free hand joined Saruhiko's on the table, the touch as natural as breathing, and the taller hummed, raising a brow at him. "About?"

Yata smirked, trying not to laugh as the amusement between them grew. "Not sure, maybe these two people die and they have to go on some journey to be brought back to life. There's also this god who won't shut the fuck up. Oh and a parrot."

"There's a parrot?"

"There's a parrot."

Yata had to look away, determined to not cave first, and he was probably crushing the life out of his boyfriend's hand, but oh well.

Saruhiko stood up, coming up behind Yata and hiding his face in the crook of his neck. "Hm, sounds fake."

Yata bit his lip. "Yeah, totally lame. Imma scrap it."

"Would never happen."

"Two out of five stars."

"I would've given it one."

By the end of their exchange, Yata was dying, leaning on the table for support and trying his best not to drop his tablet. He made good money now, but last thing he wanted to do was go through the pain of getting a new one of those.

Yata leaned back into the touch, reveling in the simple feeling of Saruhiko's steady breaths against his skin, and wondered if he'd actually do it.

A story like theirs would take a lot of time, of planning. The details were important, the imagery. It would mean revisiting some painful memories, opening up to complete strangers about an experience he held near and dear to his heart, but at times wanted to push away with the strongest force. People would hate it, would criticize it, the events which changed his view of life. He knew that of course, as an artist. But this was different yeah?

He turned his head slightly, the impulse to catch Saruhiko's lips in a kiss too strong, and remembered it was different for both of them. The suffering they'd shared, the relief, it was all too much to wrap up easily and cast out into the world.

And then suddenly, the idea he'd been pondering for weeks seemed less and less appealing, all too complex and grand.

Yata didn't need other people to know about his strife to feel validated, he realized, not when Saruhiko was there, not when he woke up every morning, proving of his success.

"You still thinking about actually drawing it?" Saruhiko asked hours later while they were in bed, limbs entangled and eyelids droopy, and Yata smiled at him, more content than he'd ever been. All because of an accident, a journey, and the people in his life. It was a story so personal to him it hurt, and as Saruhiko smiled at Yata's soft shake of the head, Yata knew he felt the same. 

And he thought, well, maybe they could keep the story to themselves just a little bit longer.

--

"Watching again Munakata?" Mikoto's gruff voice broke Munakata out of his pleasant observance, and the deity spun around quickly, as if caught. The water of the pool rippled into nothingness, disturbing the image of the two lovers until they were absent from view. Munakata huffed, not one to deny the allegations, but not particularly happy with how sneaky Mikoto had become. What happened to those barbaric, loud footsteps from before?

Munakata couldn't be severely displeased though, seeing as how the volume change was most likely due to Mikoto's desire to not attract attention when he returned from visiting Totsuka. The thought caused a calm smile to bloom on his face, the one which Mikoto usually dubbed as being creepy, but Munakata was hardly swayed by such insult.

Things are right in the world, living and dead it seems.

"I was simply checking on how they were doing," Munakata said, the relief clear in Mikoto's shoulders when Munakata didn’t ask him of his previous whereabouts. As if he didn't already know. "I am...happy that they're doing so well."

"Been two years," Mikoto muttered, slumping in his seat with a noticeable displeasure in his aura. "You can stop babysittin 'em."

"I wouldn't put it in such a way, it's not babysitting," Munakata sighed, turning back towards the pool. Perhaps Mikoto did have a point though, there was no concrete reason for checking in on them, but well...maybe Munakata just favored them, two souls which he greatly respected, and would be honored to see again. Nothing wrong with it. Also, it was no lie that Munakata had caught Mikoto staring into the pool from time to time as well, smiling at the progress of the two Returners. But, Munakata was not one to point fingers in retaliation. At least, not at that particular moment. "What's got you in a mood?"

A grunt was his reply, and Munakata nodded. "Ah, you know, you can spend as much time with him as you please, Totsu--"

"I know Munakata," Mikoto rolled his eyes, slouching further into his seat. "We got stuff to do though, always..."

Ah, well that is true.

Their jobs of sorting, of dealing with late arrivals, it never ended. Though heaven was Mikoto's domain, he would never be able to be there permanently, with the one he loved, until he and Munakata were relieved from their duties, and allowed to retire to the sanctuary. Time was strange for them, it passed quickly and yet not at all, the centuries bleeding together as they watched the world develop. Perhaps Munakata was a bit envious too, of Yata and Fushimi, for getting to live their lives freely in a way Munakata could not.

However, such thoughts were unbecoming. One day he would get his freedom, and hopefully when he did, he would be satisfied with the work he'd left behind, and those chosen to take his place. Speaking of...

"When's our time up eh? I never remember," Mikoto mumbled from his seat, staring at the baroque ceiling above, the bell of a late arrival reminding them both of the tasks which still needed attending. Oh well, this was Munakata's job anyways.

As he grabbed his cane and made for the door which would lead him to Isana's post, he dipped his hand in the pool, leaving Mikoto with the image of Yata and Fushimi, sleeping soundly in the life they'd created together.

Mikoto peered at the scene with fondness, before dipping his hand in, watching it vanish, and there was a finality in the movement which made Munakata regret not appreciating the scene more. He supposed it was fine though, he would see them both again, in time.

As he made way for the exit, a cunning smile formed easily on his face, his reply easy and certain. "Oh…seventy years or so. That sounds about right."

#sarumi #adri writing #k project

[ridiasfangirlings]

Pre-ROK, one of the S4 alphabets gets tricked into doing a multi-level marketing "business" all because they saw someone advertising all the health benefits of some of the products and thought it would help Fushimi. Now, they don't know how to get out of it and they owe a lot of money to pay for the start-up stock items, so they have to ask Fushimi for help and they don't know how to explain it. Bonus points if it's late at night and a rare night that Fushimi fell asleep early for once.

Trying to convince Fushimi to buy it all in order to get them out of trouble and Fushimi's like 'have fun being poor' XD Maybe it was well-meaning though, like imagine Hidaka sees this thing advertised that supposed to be like some super healthy meal substitute plan. Hidaka at first thinks it sounds fishy but then it also seems like it could be helpful for Fushimi-san doesn't it, like it's sort of a healthier version of Caloriemate and maybe this is something Fushimi could eat that would be quick but would solve some of his nutritional deficits. Hidaka thinks well maybe he could just buy a couple and attempt to convince Fushimi to try them, what he doesn't realize until it's too late is that this is actually one of those MLM scams and suddenly he has a bunch of product that he needs to sell and a bunch of money that he has to pay in order to just break even.

Poor Hidaka's in despair, both for being broke but also now he feels like this stuff probably isn't even that healthy and even the initial reason he bought it is now moot. He isn't sure what to do and maybe he thinks well, Fushimi-san might be able to give me some advice (he's too embarrassed to tell Munakata and Awashima, hoping that Fushimi at least will understand his good intentions and be kind. Even Hidaka is aware that this is a fool's hope). He supposes if he can catch Fushimi while working maybe he can like mention it in an offhand manner but of course for once Fushimi's gone to bed early and now poor Hidaka gets to be mortified knocking on Fushimi's door. Fushimi isn't very pleased about being woken up and Hidaka almost goes 'never mind' and runs off but Fushimi's already irritably told him to spit it out so Hidaka takes a deep breath and explains.

Fushimi listens to Hidaka explain how he got into debt with a MLM scheme and just clicks his tongue, wondering why Hidaka did something so stupid. Hidaka's all chastened like I know I know I just thought maybe it would help you out a little. Fushimi looks up at that, Hidaka didn't mention that part initially. Hidaka says he wanted to find a way to help Fushimi eat a little healthier, he always looks so pale and they're all worried about him, he knows he should have done more research but he was so excited to find the perfect thing and that was pretty stupid wasn't it. Fushimi snorts like yes it was but then as Hidaka dejectedly turns to go Fushimi's like 'I'll handle it.' Hidaka glances back and Fushimi mumbles at him not to worry about it, Fushimi will handle it. Hidaka brightens instantly and tries to thank him, Fushimi just waves him off. The next day it turns out the debt has been canceled and Hidaka's super happy, Fushimi's just like don't do stupid things in my name again. (Later the squad are discussing how Fushimi got rid of Hidaka's debt and Fushimi overhears, muttering it was easy he just hacked into the MLM's main computing system and messed with their files. The squad all exchange glances like okay but that's illegal, Fushimi just shrugs like should I put it back and Hidaka's all no it's fine I guess, maybe a little oddly happy that Fushimi did something illegal for him.)

#Fushimi Saruhiko #Hidaka Akira #Hisaru #Talking K #that did turn out a little Hisaru didn't it #really he should have expected Fushimi's solution to be like that #if you want legal solutions you go to Munakata #if you want someone who doesn't care either way you ask Fushimi

[ridiasfangirlings]

You seen Angel beats? Had a thought of Yata or Muna taking the role of Otanashi with Fushimim taking Kanade's role, a more pissy Kanade who just doesn't bother to correct people on the fact he isn't an angel. Yata/Muna slowly learning that Fushimi might be an asshole but he's not the enemy and just wants everyone to leave him the fuck alone in this shitty afterlife.

I’m just imagining this whole giant afterlife army dedicating itself to defeating the ‘angel’ Fushimi, meanwhile Fushimi gives no fucks and just wants everyone to leave him alone because he hates the afterlife almost as much as he hated his actual life. Like say going with Yata as Otonashi, he wakes up with amnesia at this weird school that he doesn’t recognize. As he’s trying to figure out what’s going on he runs into Totsuka, Mikoto and Kusanagi, who invite him to join the Homra Afterlife Battlefront. It’s explained to Yata that he’s currently in limbo and that this is a place where souls that have experienced hardships end up after dying. The Homra trio are surprised to learn that Yata doesn’t remember his old life at all (and he’s probably freaking out over the whole 'dead’ thing, like wait I don’t even remember being alive how can I be dead already). Yata would probably get into it pretty quick though, like he volunteers to help out on one of their first missions and gets to see their enemy – school outcast Fushimi, who everyone assumes is an angel and who is one of the ones keeping them all here. Yata’s immediately amazed by all the awesome weaponry everyone has and he thinks Mikoto’s way of fighting is super cool but he also finds himself kinda oddly drawn to Fushimi, who’s awfully grumpy to be an actual angel.

Yata slowly starts learning more about the world as things start changing around him, like one day on a mission Totsuka agrees to be a distraction and he ends up disappearing entirely from the school afterward. Shortly following that Mikoto disappears as well and the Homra Battlefront ends up getting new leadership in the form of Munakata (please imagine Munakata and Kusanagi working together and being very pleasant while hating each other). Yata ends up in the same class as Fushimi and at first he’s super wary because he thinks Fushimi must have had something to do with what happened to Totsuka and Mikoto. Yata figures maybe he can get Fushimi in trouble in class somehow so that the Battlefront can regain control but then he realizes that Fushimi skips class all the time anyway. Yata sneaks out of class to go look for him, plotting a solo attack, only to run into Fushimi hiding in the bathroom playing games on his PDA. Yata gets caught up watching Fushimi instead, awestruck by Fushimi’s abilities and he mutters that being an angel must give someone great skills huh. Fushimi looks up at that and clicks his tongue irritably, saying he isn’t an angel and he’s tired of dealing with idiots all the time who think he is one. Yata’s suspicious of that and says maybe Fushimi’s on god’s side or something and Fushimi gets a cold look as he says that he wants to smash this world himself and that Yata should stay out of his way.

After that Yata starts slowly regaining some memories and maybe in this version of events Yata and Fushimi did actually know each other before they died. Yata starts seeing Fushimi in his memories and that’s what causes it to click for him that Fushimi can’t be an angel at all, that Fushimi must be no different from the rest of them. At the same time these black shadows start appearing and attacking various members of the Battlefront, Munakata realizes that this is some kind of defense mechanism from the world to make sure that they don’t become too comfortable here. Yata’s the one who goes to Fushimi to ask for help, Fushimi clicks his tongue and wonders why Yata would come to the 'angel’ who his group has always been fighting against. Yata admits that he still isn’t sure about his entire past but he knows that he and Fushimi have met before and for some reason he feels like Fushimi is someone he can trust, someone who can find an answer for any problem Yata could put in front of him. Fushimi clicks his tongue quietly and calls Yata an idiot but says he’ll help anyway and he shows Yata all the data he’s collected the whole time he’s been in this place. They realize that the reason Totsuka and Mikoto disappeared is because they were able to move on and that the shadows will eventually swallow everyone else unless they’re able to let go of their past regrets.

Yata becomes determined to help everyone move on even if it means he has to work against his friends in the Battlefront, however Munakata and Kusanagi have already figured out what’s going on and they’re prepared to help him. Right before Munakata moves on he wonders if Yata will have the strength to put Fushimi’s ghosts to rest, Yata doesn’t get what he means but says he’s determined to make sure Fushimi isn’t left alone no matter what. Finally when it’s just Yata and Fushimi left Yata remembers his entire past, he was Fushimi’s only friend until one day he died saving Fushimi from being hit by a car. Fushimi reveals that he was also injured in the car crash and ended up receiving Yata’s heart in a transplant, something that he hated because he felt as if he shouldn’t have been the one to survive. He’s been wanting to see Yata again all this time but knew he never would, turning away as he says that Yata should move on and forget about him again. Yata proceeds to punch him in the head and call him an idiot, flushing a little as he says that Fushimi had his heart even before the car crash and that this is why Yata must have ended up in limbo, because even when he was dying all he wanted was to see Fushimi again. Fushimi looks up at Yata in disbelief and Yata smiles as he says he’s glad he got to meet Fushimi one more time and Fushimi’s asshole facade crumbles a little as he calls Yata by his name for the first time since they met in the afterlife, this little broken 'Misaki…’ and Yata puts an arm around him as they both start to disappear like did you really think I’d go anywhere without you you dummy, anywhere we go from here we go together.

#sarumi #Talking K #wait wait what if this is an AU where either Mikoto's or Munakata's Sword falls #and everyone dies and they wake up in the afterlife at various different times #and don't remember each other :D #except Fushimi remembers and feels it's just as well that everyone hates him #so he puts himself in the role of the villain bc it's better than being no one #a nice extra dash of angst

[x0401x]

Gakuen K Drama CD: Evacuation Drills – Case of Second Year Class E

Raw version here. Please feel free to message me about possible corrections. Warning: this drama has an elaborate punchline that simply cannot be properly adapted to English, so please see the end of the post for clarification.

Misaki: Gakuen K ~Wonderful School Days~ V Edition – Bonus Drama CD. Evacuation Drills – Case of Second Year Class 1.

Misaki: This is bad! I’m really late! Dammit! That woman! Crouching down in the middle of the road! *pants* I was sure she was feeling unwell, and while I was at loss on whether I should talk to her or not, ten minutes went by! In the end, it seems she was just waiting for someone! AH!! Isn’t it already time for homeroom to start?! *pants* At least I gotta make it in time for the last hour! *pants*

Kuro: Fushimi. If I’m correct, you were a member of the Committee, right?

Saruhiko: Ahn? That’s right.

Kuro: About the homeroom of just now, I have something to ask about the evacuation drills that Anna-sensei mentioned. If you’re a Committee member, you also work during the evacuation drills, right?

Saruhiko: Ah, what is it... that you want to ask?

Kuro: It’s my first evacuation drill in this academy. I want you to tell me about the evacuation system. Do you use the outer stairs? The inner ones? And also—

Misaki: D’AAAAAH!! *pants* Looks like I made it to the last hour somehow! Haaah! So hooot! *pants*

Kuro: Yata. It seems Anna-sensei thought you were absent without authorization and took note of it on her account book.

Misaki: Ah... S-Seriously?! It couldn’t be that she... gave me additional homework or something, right?

Kuro: If you’re curious, you can just ask. *sigh* Well, anyways. About the homeroom, it seems the two hours of PE were changed from soccer to indoor ping-pong, so beware.

Misaki: HAAH?? “Ping-pong”?! I came here looking forward to soccer and it’ll be ping-pong?! Out of all things, that tiny-ass game won’t be nearly enough!!

Kuro: And after that, we’ll have evacuation drills in the afternoo—

Misaki: It’s impossible that they’ve cancelled soccer!! What have I even come for today!? If it’s for something like this, it would have been better if I’d come super late and headed straight to the club room!

Saruhiko: How about you try studying a little? Well... for an idiot who only has a brain to move his body around, earnestly paying attention to class would serve as nothing but a lullaby, though.

Misaki: What did you say?!

Saruhiko: Hah! It’s the truth, right? I’ve never seen you awake and seriously listening to any lesson, after all. *gasp* Ah, I see...! It’s because, with that head of yours, you can’t understand classes even if you stay awake. If so, then it might be the right choice to use them as sleep time.

Misaki: Saru! You’re always, always talking so sarcastically... I’m not asleep all the time. I’m simply focusing on the lessons with my eyelids closed!

Saruhiko: Heeeh?

Misaki: WHAT’S WITH THAT SMIRK!?

Kuro: So it’s begun? I’ve got no choice. I’ll ask someone else about the evacuation drill.

Misaki: The meat and yakisoba bread I had for lunch was delicious... but... the gyuudon bread also looked tasty... Guess I’ll have that for tomorrow. Haah... the sunlight is warm on my back... so nice~... *snores*

[Alarm sounds]

Misaki: W-What?? A-A FIRE?!

Kuro: It’s started, huh? The hypothetical source is... the science room?

Misaki: W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-What do we do!? That’s right! At times like this, if I’m not wrong, we’re supposed to follow the O-Ka-Shi-Mo! Huh? “O-Ka-Shi-Mo”? What was O-Ka-Shi-Mo supposed to mean?!? If... you’re a man, you gotta gather up even the guys you don’t know or have never talked to and save everyone! I’m certain that was what it stood for. But there’s no one I don’t know. The people her are all my classmates. I gotta protect everyone! Wait, those guys...! HEY, YOOOU!! STUPID BASTARDS! What’re you messing around for?! Do you get what kinda situation we’re in right now?! There’s a lot of people that would be sad if you died! You have family and friends that are precious to you, right?! You okay with making them cry?! There’s no way you are, right?! Protecting yourselves is the same as protecting them! Got that?! If you did, all of you, line up!

Saruhiko: *chuckles* That guy... is a true idiot.

Kuro: To think Yata would be so serious about the training... he has a wonderful form of thinking. From his usual attitude and behavior, I had thought he was but an unsteady guy... so this side of him existed?

Misaki: Alright! Everyone’s properly lined up! You’d better close your mouths! It’d be awful if you breathed smoke. HEY! You over there! Didn’t you hear me saying to close your mouth? What? You forgot your handkerchief? No choice, then. Use mine! I’m fine! It’s frustrating, but just as Saru says, my body’s resistance is my only valuable asset. Then, we’re leaving! I’ll take all of you to a safe place!

Okay, it seems the fire hasn’t spread much yet... If I’m not wrong, they said the source was... the science room, right? Let’s avoid it and head to the ground floor! But, man, it’s hot. So the temperature is rising because of the fire?

Saruhiko: Keh. “The temperature is rising because of the fire”? It’s just your brain making that up.

Misaki: Hey, Kamamoto! Why have you been looking at me with wet eyes since earlier? Ah? You didn’t know I had this much talent for leadership? It’s obvious that the next captain of the Red Club will be me? Stupid!! It’s not time to be talking about something like that! Damn! What an imprudent bastard... and you, Saru! What’re you grinning all alone for?! Could it be... you’re excited about the sudden fire?

Saruhiko: Nooope, nope. Don’t mind me and just move on... Leader-san.

Misaki: You...!

Kuro: Stop, Yata.

Misaki: Grrr...!

Kuro: So you were that heated? In these circumstances, we must follow the O-Ka-Shi-Mo, and act orderly until the end.

Misaki: That’s right... if it were the usual, I’d have hit him, but... this is an emergency. If you’re a man, you gotta gather up even the guys you don’t know or have never talked to and save everyone! Even if it’s someone you dislike, that doesn’t count as reason to abandon them.

Kuro: Yeah. That’s a great thinking.

Saruhiko: Hmph.

Misaki: *pants* We’ve finally arrived at the ground floor... everyone’s okay, right? No one got separated, right?

Kuro: It’s fine. Everyone’s assembled.

Misaki: Is that so? That’s good! But... the other classes are late... we’re still the only ones that have come here? Mikoto-san... Totsuka-san... they didn’t get caught in the fire, right?

Saruhiko: If the fire’s outbreak was from the science room, those people must have gotten caught up in the evacuation after the classroom assembled.

Misaki: That’s right... Totsuka-san kinda has some bad luck, and Mikoto-san naps a lot, so he might notice the fire too late... AGH!! I’m really worried! I’ll take a look at the situation right now—

Kuro: You can’t. “No pushing, sitting around, talking or going back”. These are the ironclad rules of evacuations, right?

Misaki: Aah...?

Kuro: You’ve managed to act so promptly that you could be the number one in the academy and evacuated all of us. What will you gain from breaking the regulations at the very last second?

Misaki: Yatogami... you’re a pretty heartless fellow. “No pushing, sitting around, talking or going back”? I don’t know any of those “ironclad rules”! During evacuations, we should follow the O-Ka-Shi-Mo, right?! There are times when a man has to do this!

Kuro: Hm? What are you saying? What I’m talking about is precisely the O-Ka-Shi-Mo...

Saruhiko: Pipe down, Misaki. If it’s Mikoto-san and Totsuka-san, they should be fine. You know better than anyone... that they don’t have the spirit of people... who would be taken down by a mere fire, right?

Misaki: Saru... you... have said something nice for the first time since you were born!

Saruhiko: Tsk...!

Misaki: That’s right! There’s no way those people would be doomed by something like this! My bad, Yatogami! I called you “heartless”...!

Kuro: No... I must apologize as well. It seems I have misunderstood you until now. From your normal behavior, I had thought you were a bit of a careless one. I had thought you were the reckless kind who did not know words such as “punctuality” or “solemnity”. However... I have learned today that this was my misinterpretation. You are... earnest to this extent, and had such an authoritarian side to you. I’m sorry for having looked at you so leniently.

Misaki: Ah, stop~! Being told things like these makes my back feel itchy.

Kuro: No... I honestly didn’t think you’d go through with the evacuation drill seriously.

Misaki: For real, nothing will come out of you saying th... “drill”?

Saruhiko: HAH! Have you fiiinally realized it, Misakiii?! Hah! You thinking that the fire was real and being all anxious was a feast to the eyes! Saying the temperature seemed to be rising because of a fire that wasn’t even happening... you really are an idiot, huh?

Misaki: T... Then... just now, you purposefully...?!

Saruhiko: Aah, me saying that “if it’s Mikoto-san and Totsuka-san, they should be fine”? It’s obvious they are fine. Rather... I’d like you to tell me how they could be burned by a non-existent fire.

Misaki: *sharp inhale* You... bastard...!

Kuro: Could it be... you thought the evacuation drill was a real fire? Even if it’s Yata, no one would make such a foolish mistake, right?

Saruhiko: So, how is it, “earnest and authoritarian” Misaki~?

Misaki: I... I... HATE EVACUATION DRILLS!!!

T/N: About the “O-Ka-Shi-Mo”....

I guess most of you guys know that Japanese alphabets don’t consist of letters but of syllabes. “O-Ka-Shi-Mo” are the syllabic initials of the rules Kuro cited as essential to evacuation drills; a shortened version of the phrase meant to make it easy to remember.

Its original meaning is “Osanai, Kakenai, Shaberanai, Modoranai” (no pushing, sitting around, talking or going back). But Misaki completely forgot about that and made up a new one based on his own reasoning, which was “Otoko nara, Kankeinai yatsu, Shabeta koto no nai yatsu zeiin Motomete tasukedasu” (If you’re a man, you gotta gather up even the guys you don’t know or have never talked to and save everyone). Because of course he would.

There’s literally no way to make a coherent adaptation out of this that wouldn’t twist the meaning of either Misaki’s or Kuro’s words, and that makes me so mad, lol.

#k project #gakuen k #fushimi saruhiko #yata misaki #yatogami kurou #k #drama cd #gohands #gora #my translation

[ridiasfangirlings]

I absolutely LOVE your Sacrifice fic! If this is sin, then I accept it. So what if, because Saru and Nagare had sex, Saru's green aura grew exponentially but lay dormant, and then, post-ROK, it goes haywire due to the PTSD? Like maybe Saru's reporting to Munakata about the mission, and Munakata deliberately leads the convo in such a way that Saru has no choice but to say what he did to get the info, only Saru denies all assumptions and basically has a nervous breakdown right then and there?

So maybe post-ROK where everyone else’s powers have been growingweaker Fushimi’s green has actually been getting stronger. He isn’treally aware of it himself, he doesn’t use the green power at all soit’s basically lying dormant in a corner of his soul. Maybe it slowlystarts peeking out in small ways though, like he gets annoyed at thecopier not working and a couple small green sparks shoot out withoutFushimi meaning to have it happen. That could be how the bigbreakdown happens too, like say Fushimi’s green aura finally startsgoing out of control more and more, he’s been on light duty for awhile due to injury after the end of the jungle mission but finallyhe’s able to be sent out in the field and while he’s still got fullcontrol of his waning red and blue powers his green ones arebeginning to go wild. Plus the last few missions Fushimi’s been onhave involved hunting down remaining jungle members and that’s beenaffecting his mindset, maybe some of those members turn out to bepeople Fushimi had to do questionable things with when he was tryingto earn enough points to gain j-rank and seeing those people again,having reminders of what he had to do in order to complete hismission, all of it causes his mindset to fray bit by bit. Finally oneday he’s with a couple alphabet boys chasing down some Strains whowere members of jungle and they all end up in a tough fight, thealphabet boys are struggling with their weakened powers but Fushimi’sgreen powers just overwhelm the Strains easily. Afterward Fushimi’sshaking and twitching a bit as if he’s being constantly electrocuted,and everyone’s just staring at him in shock because the green powerswere so much stronger than it seems like they should be with theSlate destroyed.

In the aftermath Munakata calls Fushimi into his office, ostensiblyfor them to finally have a full debrief of Fushimi’s undercovermission. Fushimi doesn’t see what the point of it is, he’s alreadyexplained the important points to Munakata and anyway, with the Slatedestroyed the data he obtained on that mission is fundamentallyuseless now. Munakata’s just like ‘indulge me if you will,Fushimi-kun,’ and he asks Fushimi tell him everything that happenedin jungle. Fushimi gives a carefully edited version of what happened,conveniently omitting the part where he and Hisui had sex on top ofthe Slate. Munakata listens to the whole thing while staring atFushimi with keen eyes, when Fushimi finishes Munakata asks him torepeat the story again. By the third repetition Fushimi’s starting toget aggravated and small green sparks are beginning to surround hisbody. Munakata calmly notes that there’s no reason for Fushimi to usehis powers here, where he’s completely safe, and Fushimi clicks histongue and refuses to admit that he can’t actually control thesepowers. As he’s repeating his story again Munakata starts askingsharp pointed questions, about Hisui and about the Slate, about thedata they obtained. Fushimi finds himself stumblinguncharacteristically, Munakata’s questions making him nearly slip upas he tries to give all these smooth plausible explanations thatdon’t involve him and Hisui having sex.

Finally Munakata cuts right to the chase, mentioning that there wasone point where they got quite a bit of data from the Slate, whereall the readings from Fushimi’s transmitter spiked – and,coincidentally, Fushimi’s vitals spiked as well. He asks if Fushimiwas threatened by Hisui at that point or if he was forced to fightand that’s why his heart rate climbed so alarmingly. Fushimi snapsthat he doesn’t see why that matters, another spark of green causinghis entire body to spasm. Munakata stands slowly as he notes thatFushimi’s green powers have remained strong even with the destructionof the Slate – stronger, even, and then Munakata reaches into hispocket and produces Fushimi’s transmitter. He notes that it is stillworking but has been silent with the destruction of the Slate…upuntil now, when Fushimi’s powers began to manifest themselves. Thetransmitter is buzzing and beeping with each spark of green thatcrosses Fushimi’s body and Munakata wonders why that is, if there wassome connection Fushimi might have inadvertently made with the Slateand with Hisui that caused him to emit a similar enough wavelengththat the transmitter could mistake him for the Slate. Fushimistumbles over his words, trying to shoot back that it was nothing, hedid nothing, but there’s green all over his body now and his bodykeeps twitching and spasming and finally he just spits it out, thathe had sex with Hisui Nagare on top of the Slate. Saying it out loudcauses all the memories to come rushing back and Fushimi falls to hisknees, breathing hard as he gives Munakata all the illicit details,his voice harsh and bitter and he’s just slowly losing his grip ashis green powers just start going haywire.

It’s Munakata’s hand on his shoulder that stops him, Munakata’s calmvoice and the sudden rush of blue power that envelopes him asMunakata quietly apologizes. Fushimi laughs harshly, saying that hedid what he was supposed to do, completed the mission in the way hethought best and he doesn’t need to hear Munakata apologizefor the thing Fushimi chose. Even so Munakata repeats his apology, hesent Fushimi down into the darkness knowing full well what mayhappen, what Fushimi might have to do in order to complete the mostdangerous mission Munakata had ever given him, Munakata sending hissubordinate to suffer hardships that Munakata as King should havetaken on himself. Fushimi’s voice is all low and irritated as he saysthat he agreed to the mission and so it’s nothing for Munakata to actall contrite about now, but his green powers are starting to die downa bit and he’s obviously calming under Munakata’s touch. Munakatanotes that he has no intention to judge Fushimi for the methods hechose to use, Fushimi did what he had to in order to fulfill hisorders and to Munakata even Fushimi’s tryst with Hisui is no betrayalbut another sign of his loyalty, that he’d do so much in order tocomplete the task assigned to him.

#Fushimi Saruhiko #Munkata Reisi #Talking K #like imagine that it's not just the sex that made Fushimi's green power grow so much #but also the whole connection with the Slate #and having Hisui who was so connected to it himself at the time #all if that together like passed some of the Slate's power to Fushimi #which is why his green powers become so unstable because it's stronger than anything he's used to #also imagine him giving Munakata the entire sordid story in this rough bitter voice #Munakata just listens impassively the whole time but internally he's probably wishing he'd been the one to stab Hisui