#mermaid raz

[magicmvx]

Reference sheets what i been doing for a while. Becasue i need them for doodling and comic stuff

#psychonauts #psychonauts 2 #razputin aquato #mermaid raz #Sakura raz #Star raz

[ask-from-razputin-aus]

Two orders of Popcorn coming up! [Air drops fresh popcorn in several bowls to Mermaid!Raz and Rad-sputin. (carmal, cheddar, the normal stuff) next to both of them.] Either of you want any sodas/drinks to go with? Cola? Root-beer? Lemon-Lime? Orange? Donut? (Or other, who knows what brands exist in the Psychonauts Universe)

Also answer to @psychonauts-razigula and Anonymous A lot of pop corn from people

#psychonauts #psychonauts 2 #razputin aquato #bird raz #mermaid raz #deepsea raz

[2hoothoots]

more mermaids!! after drawing the rest of the family a little while back i got the urge to complete the set. (i know we're like three and a half weeks past the end of mermay but shh)

#psychonauts #augustus is some kind of seahorse (i didn't have a specific one in mind) #dion is a betta frazie's a lionfish and queepie's a little guppy #the one with gus is really inspired by the fic rose wrote for my birthday #i love the Little Mermaid angle from it of raz sneaking up to the surface to watch everyone at camp #polish

[lordoftherazzles]

Prompt: Seaside Lakeside Based on: New Bagginshield mer au!

I have a mer au sitting on the back burner right now, and every now, and again I get the itch to work on it, flesh it out, visit the universe, and this was a perfect opportunity. Consider this a “teaser” or “plot bunny”. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this and per usual, I don’t know how to limit myself to small drabbles for these events. (3200 words)

I’m not sure how many I’ll finish, but I wanted to participate in a few of these Summer Stories prompts with some of my favorite universes!

Bilbo loved this time of year.

The ice had melted, and while the water was still cold against his scales and skin, there was something undeniably relaxing about it. The Long Lake was confining, but not so much that it felt like an uncomfortable cage. Just a tolerable one. It gave him freedom to roam, and rocks to perch on when he wanted to soak up the sun—which is exactly what he was doing at this instant.

Resting on his stomach, his tailfin lingering in the water with gentle sways, he had his head propped with one hand, watching the lake's shoreline and glaring. Often he would sit and watch those coming and going, though there usually wasn't much activity on this side of things, just the occasional platoon of dwarves or men who were passing by, but never for long.

Save for one, that Bilbo didn't really want to think about today.

Feeling something bumping at the end of his tailfin, glancing at the rather clear waters, it was a yellow blob beneath the surface that brought a small curve to his lips. “Hey you,” Bilbo murmured, reaching his hand into the water as the little octopi swirled around it, bumping at his palm and doing what Bilbo would call 'a funny dance' with those little tentacles flailing.

This octopi had been Bilbo's only friend for the many long years he'd been subject to this lake. A faithful ally, even though they never did speak properly. The little gestures, the faint noises the small creature gave off, and just the fact that it lingered around Bilbo more often than not was enough for the mer. He'd made a friend in captivity, in both the act of being captured, and maintained in the actual misery.

Feeling another press of the octopus's head against his palm, Bilbo cast a small glance towards the shore once more. “What am I doing? Just watching, enjoying the sun while I can...” He muttered as a shape began to take form, heading down from the rocks and grassy hills beyond the Long Lake, and it was a shape that Bilbo had seen more times than he could count on his webbed fingers.

It was that one dwarf he had never really wanted to consider, for every other dwarf that Bilbo had encountered thus far had been cold, cruel, and had zero heart within their chest. It was as if they were made of stone.

Narrowing his eyes, glaring so hard as if it might drill holes into the familiar dwarf, Bilbo had to wonder what kept him coming to the water time and time again. He was no fisherman, nor collecting shells, stones, or anything else of the like. In fact, this dwarf had made his appearance many times and had simply sat, or walked along the sand...harmlessly. 

It made him wonder, and often scratch his claws against his head in confusion. If the dwarf wasn't down here for something malicious...then what was the reason? Perhaps the same reason Bilbo often found himself lazing about on the rocks to catch the sun's beautiful spring rays. To relax.

While having studied this particular dwarf from afar, Bilbo could tell you a variety of things about him already aside from the reasoning as to why he was here at all. He was dark haired, with eyes as blue as the sky, and wore these horrid metal capped boots with fur that made his tailfin twitch in discomfort. However, the faint lines to his face weren't from malice, unlike the other dwarves Bilbo had encountered. There was something different there, but perhaps that was his naivety getting the better of him.

One particular detail did cause the mer to lift himself up slightly and his face full of annoyance had dropped to something more neutral. A small discoloration upon the dwarf's cheek grabbed his attention. There was no blood, but Bilbo knew that fresh bruises were often the worst, at least by appearance. It was dark and nasty, like the furthest depths of the ocean that his parents had told him to stay away from—that and the clearings close to shore. Maybe a bit of his heart ached, and curiosity was tugging at him. Was it by accident, or like Bilbo, had someone laid their hands on him?

Sinking from his perch on the warm stone, Bilbo inhaled the cool water of the lake, his gills happy at the relief it brought as he eyeballed his octopi friend who blinked at him. Those little ears atop his head flapping in curiosity as if asking the big question. “I'm not sure, but...I want to get a closer look.”

The little yellow octopi was quickly swirling its way towards Bilbo, making faint bloop sounds barely audible to human ears, but to those semi-pointed earfins, it was clear as day. “Don't worry, I'll be careful. I've made that mistake before…” He urged, giving his friend a fond pat on the head before sinking further beneath the surface, and taking off towards the shoreline.

...

“A disgrace,” Thorin hissed to himself as he marched his way down to the shoreline, a hand idly rubbing the tender spot beneath his eye. Discipline it had been called, but Thorin didn't think of it as much of a lesson as it was a means to drive him away. Not even Frerin's cheerful attempt at some jokes had brought so much as a smirk to Thorin's lips before leaving the mountain.

He had needed some time to cool off from his earlier...mistake. Skipping out on an important meeting with the elves of Mirkwood had seemed like a decent plan at the time. There were advisors and ambassadors galore, why was his presence required? Not to mention, Thror always spearheaded those meetings without much of a word from anyone else. But apparently Thorin's absence had been noticed, and now he felt like he was about to be placed on hot coals from the forges.

Sighing to himself and staring at the water, while it didn't go on forever, there was something inspiring about it. It felt free to be down here, to have the breeze through his hair and beard, and the best part was that only a select few ever knew where to find him. This side of the Long Lake was often ignored for its lack of safety with all the rocks making it hard for the fishermen of Dale. The only time dwarves ever came down here...well, he couldn't even tell you why or if it ever happened. The point was, it was a little hideaway for Thorin, and today, he certainly needed a place to hide, lest he say something he'd regret in front of the eyes of many.

Pacing across the rock and sand, Thorin was grumbling idle nothings to himself, until the urge to hit or throw something became too great. He bent and grabbed one of the smooth round stones by his boots and chucked it as hard as he could. A dissatisfying 'plop' into the water with about as much grace as a newborn ram trying to walk. A scowl formed on his lips, reaching down angrily for another stone as the wise words of his mother began to float to the forefront of his mind.

“Calm yourself, young heart. The pain you feel now will be but a memory tomorrow, but do not take your frustrations out on those who do not deserve your wrath.”

Did that extend to inanimate objects too? Staring down at the smooth rock in his palm, Thorin tried to find a sense of calm. The lapping of the water against the sand and rock had always been soothing. It was at times like these where the dwarf was grateful that there wasn't that overly fishy smell around these parts as he closed his eyes to let it all soak in. Much to his relief, a bit of that anger began to subside in favor of peace. As those blue eyes opened once more, there was something distinctly softer about them. Eyeing the stone and then the water, Thorin was more focused and calculated this time, drawing his arm back, and letting that stone sail with a more angled throw, and as he had wanted, the rock skipped before ultimately disappearing.

It was an easy, and rather cheap, distraction. One that harmed few, not even the inanimate stones or water that were his supposed victims, right now.

The moments passed by, a slow repetition of skipping rocks, staring at the water, and wondering if heading back home was even worth it right now. These little expeditions away from the mountain never lasted too long, lest someone come looking and find his hideaway, but the more Thorin got his aggression out with each stone he tossed, watching the satisfactory skipping, the better he felt.

That didn't mean he was to confront his king anytime soon, or at all. While his heart was typically in the right place, it would do no good to argue with Thror. Not only because Thror was his king, but also his grandfather—his family, and there was nothing more important to Thorin than his family. They may disagree, but they deserved respect all the same.

Giving one more lone stone a toss, watching it skip farther than any of the others, Thorin took that as a good sign. It was time to call it quits on a high note of success, which had eventually spurred a grin to his lips. Being out in the sun and enjoying the breeze had done wonders to help those boiling emotions of his simmer down, and hopefully by the time he returned home, he could assess the situation with a clear head.

Grandfather deserved an apology for his negligence to the important duties of a prince.

Thorin had barely gotten a chance to turn before a 'plop' landed on the dirt and sand next to his boots, drawing his eyes downward. A wet stone of similar shape as one of the few he had thrown before. Smooth edges, and a small divot on one end. It caused his brow to raise in curiosity. Taking the stone in his hand once more, giving it a once over, it was promptly tossed in the same manner as before, and then nothing. Silence, save for the sloshing of lake water.

Perhaps it had been a mere coincidence, or a trick of the mind. Whatever it was, he wasn't about to linger to investigate, that is, until a rock pelted him in the back of the shoulders upon turning once more with a small oof escaping his lips. Whirling around to gaze at the water with a harsh glare, those bubbling feelings of irritation crawling back to the surface, his eyes searched desperately for the culprit. Someone—or something—was out there, and aiming for him.

The water was still, just as it was silent, until there was a quick splash, like a large fish had gotten close to the surface. It drew the dwarf's attention and only catching a glimpse of a flash of gold near some larger boulders embedded into the lake floor.

“Hm,” he mused to himself, watching a few more ripples move along the water's surface from afar. He'd heard rumors of some mythical monster laying in the water, but that's all he had ever chalked them up to be. Rumors. Scary stories to tell your ill-behaved pebbles before bed. False.

It would be silly to start believing in those stories now, but it didn't keep Thorin from investigating all the same. It was as if something were calling him back to the water. A type of gravitational pull that had him crawling across stone until crouched at the water's edge, resting on his hands and knees and leaning over. Thorin stared at what was his reflection to start, until another set of eyes and a formation removed his mirror image from the water's surface. 

He locked his gaze with those hazel eyes that emerged from the water until a rounder nose bumped the tip of his. Starting to lean back, his movements were followed, and the finned creature kept rising out of the water until half exposed.

Thorin, without a single thought in his head, remained seated on his knees, mesmerized and fascinated by those gem-like eyes, and the small glittering of gold that coated the fins that made up this mer's ears. A few moments of staring, no longer nose to nose, Thorin finally rasped out a low, “hello”. A set of clawed hands were suddenly at the sides of his face, tugging him down towards the water quickly, and near viciously.

Panic flooded every ounce of the dwarf as his hands pressed to the ground, scrambling as if he might be able to dig his fingers into the stone to keep him from being pulled into the water. As quickly as his face had been grabbed, his mouth had been claimed, and all of those stories about mythical monsters that dragged you into the water and drowned them were surging to the forefront of his mind. 

Surprisingly, the finned creature did not tug on him much more. In fact, everything about that terrifying grip at his head had softened, feeling more like a gentle caress than an act of murder. Was this how they succeeded in collecting their prey? To give one a false sense of security and comfort before taking them to the depths below? Whatever it was, Thorin's anxieties began to calm, and his fingers didn't claw into the rock beneath him quite so forcefully.

Whatever magic this lake water creature was bewitching him with was taking its hold.

Those once alert blue eyes were far less focused, falling half-lidded as he leaned into that kiss he was given, finding it hard to think about much more than those enchanting hazel eyes. Deep hues of earthy green, surrounded by specks of blue and gold, it would make the mines in the mountain look bland in comparison, wouldn't it? 

Finally, his eyelids completely dropped, and his lips parted at the silent request of an opposing tongue against them. Compliant to the mer's physical wishes, and some bubbling desires of his own, Thorin held very little resistance at this point, exhaling deeply through his nose and trying to somehow manage to fill his already aching lungs with oxygen. The burn in his chest was worth it as the mer’s aggression against his tongue intensified. If felt as if he were being devoured. If this was what it felt like to drown, then Thorin couldn’t say it was painful in the slightest, which was a comforting thought. Not that he favored the outcome, but there was a hint of peace of mind about him at the very least.

A thumb gently rubbed beneath his tender eye, causing his eyes to screw closed a bit tighter at the discomfort, and a sound tore through his chest. It was that sound that seemed to pull the mer from his lips, leaving Thorin chasing with eyes half-glazed, finally meeting those hazels again, though this time they were flooded with concern.

“It hurts?”

Oh, Mahal above, even his voice was enchanting.  It took Thorin a few moments to register that a question had been presented, and the discomfort it was alluding to. “No, it feels...wonderful—” Leaning forward, ready to bump foreheads with the mer, it was the rubbing of a thumb against that facial bruise that had him wincing again. “Ah, that...”

Now the question made sense, and it had nothing to do with a kiss that brought the dwarf discomfort in areas that were far from his face. Willing away what bothered feelings he could, Thorin did refrain from leaning forward any longer, caught in the eyes of concern and curiosity, it was like being viewed in a new light that didn't give him the expectation of simply 'dealing with it'. He had no walls to put up, no princely mask to wear, he was just...Thorin.

“How did you receive it?”

This question drew Thorin back, but not out of those slippery, yet soft, hands that cupped the sides of his face. Clamping his jaw shut, whether wearing a mask or not, it would do no good to start lamenting about his familial woes. He just didn't have to act like it didn't hurt, for once.

Bilbo's observational skills were on high alert, watching how the dwarf's eyes shifted, and how his jaw set firmly, shadowed by facial hair that wasn't nearly as long as the other dwarves he'd been face to face with. Then again, he'd never been face to face with any of them quite like this before. Thinking of them sent shivers up his spine, and not of a comforting variety. “Did someone hurt you?”

“Perhaps,” Thorin muttered low, content for once to keep eye contact broken.

“Intriguing,” humming, Bilbo retracted his hands, letting them rest on stone instead of the warm flesh of the dwarf's cheeks.

“What's intriguing is why you haven't drowned me yet,” another grumble from Thorin, and while he hadn't figured what he said was humorous, it spurred a lighthearted laugh from the mer. Those eyes he'd been addicted to so quickly were full of life and light, unlike anything he'd ever seen before.

“Drown you? Oh, you are a strange dwarf, aren't you!”

“Then...then what was....?” Grazing his fingertips to his lower lip, confusion taking over his features, Thorin shifted awkwardly before hearing another, lower chuckle from the gold-finned creature.

“I stole the words from your tongue, so to speak,” Bilbo teased, finding the dwarf's cheeks growing rosy to be adorable, though he wasn’t quite sure why. Pulling himself to perch on one of the lower stones still barely covered in water, those clawed, and webbed, fingers of his twisted at his lap nervously. “I wanted to speak with you, and now here we are, speaking. I'm not drowning you, and you're not...” His tail shifted uncomfortably at the thought, especially as he noticed just how the dwarf was eyeing his scales.

“I’m not what?”

It was Bilbo’s turn to be silent as his eyes dropped to a few of the wounded spots, his fingers caught with one another and a grim look took over his features. Pursing his lips as his earfins flickered, the idea of exploring this dwarf simply because Bilbo assumed he was ‘different’ was feeling like a mistake.

“Did someone hurt you?”

The question turned around on Bilbo was startling, and his earfins straightened, barely moving as he caught the same concern he had worn when questioning the dwarf’s facial injury out of the corners of his eyes. “Perhaps,” the mer grumbled low, feeling an ache in his chest as his arms curved around part of his tailfin that he pulled towards his chest. As if on cue, a few of the unhealed sore spots where some of those golden scales once were, throbbed in discomfort.

Much like a bruise.

#bagginshield #thilbo #the hobbit #thorin oakenshield #bilbo baggins #raz wips #razzywrites #razzledrabbles #fotfics summer stories #fic: mermaid au??? #i'll add a title later once i actually have one #razpb

[dreameroftheblue]

the warmblood and his werewolf ♡

#I've got like 15k words of fic for them #along with 50 (?) sketches and wips #went on a fuckin BINGE the second kai's ref was complete hahaaa #kemonomimi #centaur #nekomimi #taur #mermaid #fantasy #kai #kaitou #raziel #dreameroftheblue #kai/raz #digital art

[bohemiandeer]

Some locker art I did last year, from my latest to my earliest. Psychonauts piece was done at the height of my Psychonauts Brainrot after I just got into the game, TOH piece was done in celebration of the release of Season 2B, and the Mermaid piece was just a doodle I did for fun while listening to "Turn Loose The Mermaids" by Nightwish and getting a lil spark of artistic inspiration. The mermaid was my first piece out of the bunch. Don't know if I can carry on decorating my locker like this next year since some dumb butt ruined it for everyone. But since we're allowed to use removable decor like stickers/posters etc. (initial rule was we could draw/decorate our lockers as long as it was removable and/or erasable like with whiteboard markers due to the wood glaze), gonna see if I can get a lil creative next year with some scotch tape and sketchbook paper.

Plus a lil bonus doodle of our baby boi on the inside of my locker door

hehehe

lil dude. Archetype Raz go BRRRRRRRRRRRR

Disclaimer: DO NOT attempt this at school/place of work. These 3 works were initially done with full permission from principal and staff but purely due to circumstance as the wood I did this on was specially varnished in a special layering or glaze that made it whiteboard like in nature to do this. Something which not all wooden lockers have. Don't think this can be attempted on Metal either by any means. I only started doing this with my white board markers after I asked the homeroom teacher and the principal specially for permission if I could doodle on my locker since the white board markers are erasable with hand sanitizer/soap and water + an old toothbrush as well as just your hand. Just as a PSA because I don't want to accidentally get someone in trouble.

#psychonauts #psychonauts 2 #psychonauts fanart #the owl house #toh #the owl house fanart #toh fanart #mermaid #siren #turn loose the mermaids #mermaid fanart #mermaid art #mermaid artwork #milla vodello #sasha nein #razputin aquato #milla vodello fanart #sasha nein fanart #razputin aquato fanart #archetype raz #archetype raz fanart #eda the owl house #eda clawthorne #edalyn clawthorne #edalyn the owl lady #king toh #king clawthorne #locker art #white board marker art #my art

[razzle-zazzle]

Whumptober Day 11: all the lights going dark and my hope's destroyed

Captivity

3643 Words; Pearl and Seaglass

TW for kidnapping, dehumanization, manhandling, degradation, dehydration, torture

AO3 ver

Dion was having the time of his life.

The sand was warm underneath him, soft against his back. The sky was a riot of colors, swirling against each other like the coral of an endless reef. The water lapped at the shore, the spray filling the air with the smell of salt.

Dion looked to his side. Gisu looked back at him, her eyes alight with joy. “Peaceful, isn’t it?” She asked.

“Yeah.” Dion breathed. He could stay here forever, free from his responsibilities under the waves, free from his family’s judgment. Just him, Gisu, and the endless beach, pink sand and green water stretching out in every direction…

Dion came back into awareness slowly, the sun bright against his face. He shifted, the soft sand of his dream turning into sheets tangled around him. He still wasn’t used to the feel of them, still wasn’t quite sure what to make of the dry fabric wrapped gently around his body.

Beside him, Gisu was still asleep, her hair stuck to her forehead with sweat, her body splayed out like a particularly grabby starfish—her hand was latched onto Dion’s shirt, and Dion wondered if he’d be able to get it free without having to wake her up.

The sunlight had crept in through a gap in the curtains. Motes of… it was dust, right? Floated in the beam. It reminded Dion of marine snow, of flurries of plankton soaking up the sunlight. He could almost imagine shimmery fish darting through, snapping up whatever they could.

Dion could already feel his memory of the dream fading, even as the feelings lingered. His heart squeezed, homesickness and desire all knotted up inside him. He wondered if this was how Raz felt. If this—this freedom, from expectation and responsibility—was what drew Raz up here, up onto the surface with all of its dangers and wonders.

Dion thought that maybe, if that were the case, then he could understand. The sea would always be his home, but—

But his parents would never approve of Gisu. He would never be truly, completely free down there, not like he was up here.

(Even though he wasn't really free up here, either, confined to social expectations still.

But it was certainly a lot less than back home.)

Dion wanted that. More than anything, he wanted that freedom, for him and Gisu. Wanted to be able to rest in her hold freely, with not a single worry about parents or curfew or expectations.

Just him, Gisu, and the entire world stretched out around them.

The bed shifted as Gisu rolled over. She let go of Dion’s shirt, her eyes blinking open as she yawned softly. The sound was still so foreign to Dion. Everything was so different up here.

But not all of those differences were awful. Just most of them.

One such awful difference—sheets. Oh, sure they were comfy to sleep in, different from kelp beds in ways both good and bad—

But as Dion moved to leave the bed and start the day, the sheets tangled around his skirt—a very wonderful change—and his legs—a mostly-awful change—caught, sending him tumbling to the floor with a yelp and a very dignified flailing of his limbs, he was not at all like a panicking guppy, stop laughing Gisu—

“These stupid legs.” Dion growled. Up on the bed, Gisu snorted.

“You weren’t having any trouble dancing with them last night.” She pointed out, as Dion slowly pushed himself up.

“I wasn’t half-asleep last night.” Dion returned. He stood up fully, the sheet falling to the floor. The wood was cold against his feet.

Gisu shrugged, sitting up fully. Her hair was a mess, some of it matted down with sweat, some of it frizzed up into knots. Dion’s fingers itched to comb through it and braid it. “Well, I hope you’re not going to be falling all over yourself today.” She stretched out her arms, a small squeak escaping her throat, “We’ve got a lot of ground to cover.”

Dion snorted. “My balance is perfect.” He insisted. Where did he leave his boots? He refused to traverse the surface without them—walking on hot sand and stone once was more than enough. Thank the gods that Gisu had a human friend willing to lend them clothes—he couldn’t thank Lizzie enough for the skirt that was still swishing softly around his legs now.

Speaking of…

“Did you see Lizzie last night?” Dion pulled on his boots. Ugh. This would be so much easier back home—but that was because he didn’t have these unsightly human legs back home.

“I think I saw her in the crowd once,” Gisu offered, rolling off the bed and grabbing her bag. She reached in and dug around for a few moments before pulling out the whale-bone comb Dion had gifted her last season. “Kinda lost track of everyone near the end.” She shrugged. “She probably went home early.”

Dion nodded, accepting the explanation. Gisu would know better than him about this kind of thing. There was a second comb in Gisu’s bag—Dion grabbed it and went to work on his hair. He still thought he should have been allowed to keep at least one pearl string woven in—or even just the pearl Gisu had gifted him, pink and blobby and uneven—but Gisu had insisted that humans didn’t weave shells and pearls and kelp into their hair, and as far as Dion had seen, she was right.

That didn’t mean he couldn’t be upset about it, though.

A little while later, they were both ready for the day, their hair tied back with two cuts of the same cord. Dion had gotten to braid Gisu’s hair once she finished attacking it with her comb, and nodded at his work.

Morris was in the kitchen with his parents when they left their room, talking animatedly. He greeted them cheerily, his parents already knowing Gisu from her past excursions up on the surface.

After breakfast, the three of them headed out—Morris turned off to go into the market to run errands for his parents, while Gisu took Dion’s hand and led him towards the docks.

As always, Dion found it impossible not to follow where she led.

+=+=+=+=+

Dion came into awareness slowly. His head was pounding, his hair hanging loose over his face.

What the…

Where…

Dion was in a big room, he could tell that much. Barrels and crates surrounded him. The scent of the docks—of the fish and sea air—lingered in his nose—so he was probably still close to that area, right?

But where was he? Last he remembered, he and Gisu had been wandering between the warehouses, looking for any sign that Raz had come through the area. He’d heard something fall over in an alleyway, and he’d seen a smallish shape that could have been his brother darting off into the shadows, but—

Ohhhh, his head hurt. He remembered a sharp pain—and then he was here, in this room, with no idea how he’d gotten here. He was seated on a chair, ropes across his chest keeping him from falling off of it. More rope was wrapped around his legs and ankles.

This wasn’t good. This was the opposite of good. Dion had no idea where he was, or why he was here—his heart was doing flips in his chest. His lungs were doing something funny, too, air caught in his throat like a blockage in his gills—

Dion coughed. It was the most unpleasant sensation he’d ever felt in his life. He couldn’t stop coughing, which was even worse—

Where was Gisu? What had happened? Where was he? He couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t breathe—

“Whoa!” A hand fell on his shoulder. “Shit, don’t die before the boss gets here!”

Dion’s chest spasmed. Air trickled into his lungs. His heart lodged in his throat. The voice—a human, Dion realized, who had been behind him previously but was now standing beside him, a hand braced on his shoulder—continued talking, the words incomprehensible against Dion’s panic.

Slowly, more air made its way into Dion’s lungs. He spat, flecks of spit and phlegm landing on the floor before him. Awful. Human bodies were just awful.

His heart was still pounding, and the stranger standing next to him wasn’t helping—

But at least Dion could breathe.

There was sunlight coming into the room from somewhere behind him. Other than that, the only light was that of a single lamp, which wasn’t nearly enough to fill the space. Ugh, why did human eyes have to suck so much? Dion didn’t like not being able to see through the gloom.

He didn’t have long to lament the lack of low-light vision before previously-unnoticed doors in front of him slid open. Bright light assaulted Dion’s eyes, and he scrunched them closed.

The doors slid shut, but the darkness didn’t last long—the scent of burning oil floated over to Dion with the gentle light of a lamp. Two more lamps joined it, revealing who had stepped into the room with him.

Not that Dion had any idea who they were. A smartly dressed man that Dion vaguely recognized from a few posters around town, and someone who might have been a land witch? They were dressed like Lizzie, who was pretty much Dion’s only reference to how land witches dressed—but somehow more, with full robes instead of just small charms.

“It doesn’t look like a mermaid.” The man sniffed. “Are you sure this is the one?”

Dion tensed. “What are you talking about?” He asked, “Mermaids? What mermaids?” Oh god please no no no don’t turn me into one of those fish at the stalls I don’t want to be cooked—

He was ignored.  “We’ll find out for sure once I’ve undone the spell, Gristol.” The land witch assured.

The land witch stepped forward, holding a vial of… something. It wasn’t like Dion was an expert in vials.

(Gisu was, but Dion had no idea where she was.)

The vial was uncapped. Dion flinched as its contents were splashed onto him, the sour scent sharp against his nose. Ew ew ew!

“Hey!” He yelped. “What was that for?” It was probably for some magic purpose, but that only made Dion all the more indignant (all the more terrified).

The land witch continued to ignore him, grinding something in a mortar and pestle. The man in the stuffy-looking suit—Gristol, that was what the land witch just called him (why was that name vaguely familiar)—watched on with a haughty kind of interest, hands folded behind his back.

Ughhh. Dion’s clothes were going to smell awful forever now, he was sure. The land witch was drawing a circle on the floor around Dion—that was not a good sign.

“Hey—” Dion began, only to be cut off as the land witch spoke.

“Creature of the sea, creature of the wave,” the land witch began, “Shed your skin for scales, return to how you were made!” Light rose from the circle around Dion’s chair, ominous against the lamplight.

The magic burned.

Transforming into a human had been painful, but in an abstract way, Gisu’s magic numbing the pain and sparking light through Dion’s veins just as much as it hurt. But this magic burned, clawing up his skin and scorching his insides. Scales crawled up his back, down his arms, over his chest. His legs lit up with agony, a scream tearing itself out of his throat.

He landed against the floor roughly, thrashing in blind panic. The rest of the world faded away as the pain dug into his skull and chest, whiting out his vision. It hurt.

It hurt

it hurt

it hurt

it hurt so much—

And then it was over, the pain receding. Dion heaved, the dry air rough against his throat. His pelvic fins were pinned under him—Dion rolled onto his side, only to wince at the way the fabric of his shirt caught on his thoracic gills. His tail ached. His everything ached.

“Gorgeous.” Gristol breathed. “Powerful.” He folded his hands behind his back. “It’s not as wondrous as Maligula was,” he amended, “But to finally have a mer in my grasp…”

Dion hissed, his stripes flashing in warning. The man’s words were coming out garbled, distorted against Dion’s ears by the lack of water and the loss of the magic. He had no idea what was being said, but he was certain he wouldn’t like it regardless.

Gristol turned to the first man, the one who had been in the warehouse from the start. Dion turned a tired ear to what was being said, but he couldn’t make heads or tails of it. Gisu’s spell was well and truly broken.

Gristol spoke again—

Hands! Hands on Dion, dry calloused hands rough against his scales as the ropes were pulled away. He squirmed, snapping at them all to let him go, but they grabbed onto his shoulders and arms and shirt, which had been shredded by the emergence of his dorsal fin. It was yanked off roughly, Dion hissing as it rubbed against his gills. Hands grabbed his tail just above the fin, lifting it into the air despite Dion’s protests.

Get off get off get off—

His skirt slid off with some resistance, and then Dion’s tail was dropped back onto the floor. He growled, trying to ignore the way his gills were aching. It was so hard to breathe, and his scales were starting to dry—

The hands pulled back as water splashed over him. Dion’s scales drank it in gleefully, even as his hair stuck to his face. His gills gasped, but no more water was forthcoming.

Gristol’s boots splashed in the puddle as he stepped in front of Dion. He leaned down, his hand reaching out towards Dion’s hair—

Dion planted his palms flat against the floor and pushed, lunging at Gristol with teeth bared—

A net was thrown over him, stopping him in his tracks. Dion thrashed, moving to cut at the cords with his claws—

Weight pressed down on him, someone’s knees digging into Dion’s tail. His arms were grabbed and wrenched back. He thrashed, his stripes flashing rapidly in warning, snarling let go let go let go! even as the sound burned in his throat.

The net tightened around him. It dug into his scales, pinning his fins against him. The dry air grated against him, the water already starting to dry out.

Dion stared up at Gristol, teeth bared. Hate hate hate let me go let me go let me go—

He snapped his fingers, and Dion was lifted up into the air. He tried to thrash, but the net and the exhaustion reduced it to hardly a wiggle.

The man carrying him started moving. Dion could do nothing to stop it, gasping in too-dry air.

Dion had been right. The surface was evil.

Being right had never been less satisfying.

+=+=+=+=+

Gristol watched as the mer was dropped into the tank.

It had taken a few detours to get his prize to his ship unseen, but it was well worth the effort—Gristol watched as water flowed through the mer’s gills. Its teeth glinted as it opened and closed its mouth, breathing in the water greedily.

It was truly a gorgeous creature. His father’s tales hadn’t done it justice at all! It stared at him through the glass, luminous blue eyes like rare jewels. Even its scales had a beautiful shine to them, stripes lighting up in meaningless, but still pretty, patterns. Gristol watched its claws dig into the sand at the bottom of the tank—those would have to be trimmed at some point. And something would need to be done about those teeth…

“You don’t know it yet, but you’re about to be part of something big.” Gristol promised. “Something that will put the Maliks back on the map!” Finally, Gristol could take his destiny back into his own hands. Not even Truman’s silly little “Explorer Corps” would be able to stop him!

He stared at the mer for a moment longer, drinking in the victory on the horizon. The mer slapped a webbed hand against the glass, warbling and clicking at him—

The ship’s captain walked in through the door. “Your orders, sir?”

Gristol growled. Couldn’t this idiot see that he was having a moment? Whatever. He turned back to the woman. “Get this ship ready to move by sundown!” He demanded. “And let the rest of the fleet know, too!”

A cabin boy passed them by as the captain left to fulfill her orders. “You!” Gristol grabbed the boy by the shoulders. “Go find someone who can clip nails.” He shook his hand to wave the boy off. “Well? Go!”

The boy skittered off with a “Yes, sir.” Oh, what a pleasant sound. It was always better when people listened to his orders—he was simply built to lead, and everyone else was a sheep built to follow. It was just the way of things.

The ship was bustling with activity by the time Gristol made it to the deck. He watched in satisfaction as everyone ran around fulfilling his orders.

It felt good to be on top.

And after this, he’d be on top of the world itself.

+=+=+=+=+

Dion growled.

The tank had been a brief respite from the net—emphasis on brief. Dry air grated against him once again, his gills burning.

The bowl of water in front of his face helped, but not by much. It was better than nothing, though, as embarrassing as it was to have to shove his face into it just to get water in his gills. It wasn’t enough to reach his thoracic gills, which continued to burn against the too-dry air, but it sluiced through his cervical gills, allowing him to breathe more freely—strained as it still was.

Snip. Snip.

Dion hissed. The bowl wasn’t the only humiliation he was being forced to endure—his tail was tied down with metal chains, and his wrists were pinned down at the edge of the table, his hand held still as all of his claws were cut one by one. He carefully maintained claws! Being taken away!

Snip. Snip snip.

His left hand had already been clipped down to nothing, to blunted claws that looked more like useless human nails. No matter how hard Dion thrashed, the human taking away his claws didn’t even flinch, just calmly clipping away.

Snip.

And with that, the last of Dion’s claws were gone. He snarled, his stripes flashing out a string of curses—that were wholly ignored.

The human pulled out a flat piece of metal, and started rubbing it over Dion’s clipped claws. It took Dion a moment to realize what they were doing—they were blunting the stumps!

“There we go,” They hummed something that might have been meant to comfort—Dion still didn’t understand what was being said. Gisu would have, because she had actually learned the language, instead of relying on her spell—

But Gisu wasn’t here. It was just Dion, unable to do anything as he was subjected to surface evils that not even his worst nightmares had come up with.

Gristol appeared in the doorway. Dion cursed.

The man ignored him, walking over and grabbing his hands for inspection. He said something that sounded approving, and the other human tittered something back. Gristol nodded, letting go of Dion’s hand before snapping out something imperative. The claw-clipping human left, and more humans came in behind them.

Oh, what now? Dion asked. The flash of his stripes and the clicks in his throat were ignored.

Hands grasped at his arms, pinning them down as the straps over his wrists were undone. Dion snarled, but he didn’t have the energy to thrash. He just let the humans lift him up and haul him down the haul, up some stairs onto the deck. He was dropped on the wood, hissing reflexively—his tail was too heavy to move, though. Dion didn’t have the energy to swing it around. A bucket was brought over to him—

Water! Glorious, glorious water! More buckets were dumped out, and Dion’s body drank it in greedily.

It didn’t last long, though—a long wooden box was brought over, and as one, the humans lifted Dion up to it and over the edge.

Absolutely not! Dion squirmed, but it was for naught—he was shoved down into the box. The lid came down soon after, and despite his efforts Dion couldn’t push it off—the humans must have locked it in place, somehow.

The scent of salt was overpowering, stinging against Dion’s nose. Which made sense—he was laying atop a small layer of salt, rough and dry and awful.

The box was just long enough for Dion to lie straight, but too low down and too narrow for Dion to squirm. His dorsal fin wasn’t quite pinned against him—but it wasn’t fully up, either, the spines pushed back. The rest of his fins were much the same. At least his arms weren’t pinned to his sides. Dion dragged his blunted claws against the wood, but it didn’t do anything. He was just as helpless as before.

Sunlight filtered in through holes in the top of the box. The salt beneath him was starting to really hurt.

Realization settled in. Oh gods. They were trying to dry him out! Dion folded his arms in front of himself, resting his head on them. They were trying to dry him out, and there was nothing he could do but wait and let it happen.

Dion had known that the surface was awful. Had known that mer weren't built for land, had known that humans were just as capable of being awful as mer.

But this was worse. This was so much worse.

Dion had known that the surface was awful. He'd had no idea how awful it truly was.

#whumptober2023 #no.11 #captivity #psychonauts #zaz writes #kidnapping tw #dehumanization tw #dehydration tw #torture tw #manhandling tw #degradation tw #boy oh boy this sure is a piece to introduce an au with #pearl & seaglass au #dion aquato #gisu nerumen #gristol malik #okay okay so. little mermaid au. raz goes to sruface with gisu's help (he kind of blackmailed her (he was bluffing)) #dion and gisu go to surface to chase after him. dion has never been to the surface. shenanigans ensue #this will not be the last that you see of this au btw!! i've got three more pieces for it lined up this year

[itsthemysterykids]

(In honor of the day 4/20)

Stan made two batches of brownies. One regular, one with his 'secret ingredient' for himself. He realized too little too late that he gave the MK the wrong batch. How do you think the kids reacted?

Coraline: … Guys… Guys…

Norman: … What?

Coraline: Are we like… What?

Raz: Huh?

*The three of them then burst into laughter*

Wybie: *Shoving Doritos in his mouth*

Dipper: Dude. Bro, Wybes, my dude, you gonna share, man?

Wybie: Yeah, but then it’s like… I gotta get another bag, ‘cause… You know, this one is gone quicker.

Dipper: … Oooohhh!!

Lili: *Letting Mabel braid her hair* That is… That’s smart. That’s an interesting observation. So, if there’s more people eating the same thing… That thing is gone quicker.

Neil: … Deep, man. That’s like our world right now. Our food, and stuff. It’s gonna be gone soon because there’s so many people.

Wybie: Whoa… You just… Blew my mind.

Mabel: Right? And, it’s like… What?

Lili: … Yes?

Neil: … *Bursts into laughter*

Coraline: Are we stoned right now?

Norman: … Oh, God! We are! We gotta flush it down the toilet!

Dipper: But then the fish and the mermaids are gonna get high!

Wybie: Guys! Guys, it’s cool! It’s chill. Just chill. Some of our presidents smoked weed, and they became president. So we’re all halfway to becoming president.

Lili: Oh yeah… ‘President Lili Zanotto.’ I like it.

#coraline #mystery kids #gravity falls #paranorman #psychonauts #the mystery kids #answered ask #ask stuff #happy 420

[matrica-a-novelized-actual-play]

Happy MerMay to all who celebrate! I drew our wizard Raza and magus Sieger as merfolk (Raz as a fancy beta and Sieger as a tiger shark, naturally)

I hope to draw the rest of the lads as well— but given how long it’s taken me, it might end up being a whole Mer-summer instead. XD

Shout-outs to Merlin for his lovely mermaid scale brushes and kingcholera for rad merfolk pose ideas

#mermay #mermen #dungeons and dragons #dnd5e #dnd ocs #pathfinder #pf2e #ttrpg #play by post #homebrew #dnd art #tabletop #matrica art #Raza #Sieger #book club

[constellarcreator]

aquato family headcanons if you please! I'm in the mood for aquato positivity hours (when am I not)

Ohoho bestie you came to the right place

- None of this family is neurotypical. Augustus and Donatella are autistic and adhd solidarity and it passed down to their kids

- it's heavily implied that Donatella is a runaway and if we're going by the idea that she had a bad home life, Razputin running away must've hurt A LOT. A bona fide "oh god I'm becoming like my own parents" moment

- Donatella and Nona are very close. Dona sees her as a maternal figure after running away to join Augustus with the circus

- Mirtala had a mermaid phase at one point. EXTREMELY ironic lmao. At the time of the games she's in a princess phase (hence the tiara)

- Frazie is a horse girl and collects those realistic plastic horse figures and has a few my little ponies too (not very many bc those are more expensive)

- idk how much of a headcanon this is as opposed to just canon but Frazie has zoolepathy. It's how she understands Sugarcube

- at multiple points when Raz was a baby his parents have walked in on him floating objects or staring at them with brightly glowing eyes

- Raz is transmasc and the first person he told was Dion. Ofc Dion was fully supportive bc YES FINALLY ANOTHER BOY (this was before Queepie showed up)

- when Dona was expecting, Augustus was comically protective of her and insisted on doing EVERYTHING for her. She was more amused by this than anything and genuinely appreciated it

- sometimes Raz has trouble controlling his mind reading and can hear EVERYONE'S thoughts at once for as long as several hours at a time. Think Dolores from Encanto but worse </3

#psychonauts #belfry asks

[shiningwonderland]

Ai Mikaze (All Star)

Translator: Momo (twitter: peachandrabbit) Proofreader: Nadie (twitter: nmoniag), Raz (twitter: agnadance) Editors: Whitney (twitter: whitormiss), Terry (twitter: turtlemudge), Mae (twitter: itoshikimaegirl)

Chapter Two — Amabile Humming

November has arrived.

After Mikaze-senpai finally accepted our partnership, I started helping him with his work as promised.

Under his guidance, I’ve been composing the four-part song.

I’ve also been working on the background music for the movie Mikaze-senpai is in. In other words, normal film music production work.

Lots of work, all at once.

I’ve filled my notebook with two people’s work schedules. My schedule is written in red ink, while Mikaze-senpai’s is in blue.

Haruka Nanami: I’m running out of blue ink so much more quickly….

There would be no end if I wrote the description for every single job, so I'm summarizing them.

Even so, the amount of work I have pales in comparison to Senpai’s workload.

Just this week alone, there will be filming of the movie first on the list, a variety show appearance, a magazine interview, a photography shoot, the production of his own music CD… et cetera.

This year, he began appearing in the media more often, too.

On top of that, he agreed to coach me….

For all his delicately-intelligent appearance, he has to be quite tough to handle such a packed schedule.

Haruka Nanami: He’ll work all day and then check over my compositions in the evening….

After checking today’s schedule one last time, I leave the house.

Ai Mikaze: I said you’re doing it wrong. How many times do I have to tell you? Use your head a little.

Haruka Nanami: I-I’m sorry!

Mikaze-senpai doesn’t pull his punches.

Today he’s looking over the four-part song I edited based on what he told me last time, but….

Apparently, I didn’t fix it quite the way he wants it. I hastily edit it right then and there, but, once again, it isn’t right….

Ai Mikaze: How can you be so bad at remembering things? Not enough memory in your hard drive? Or maybe your CPU isn’t powerful enough? Are you an 8-bit?

Haruka Nanami: 8-bit…?

Every so often, Mikaze-senpai will use unfamiliar words like that.

Ai Mikaze: Hmmm, don’t worry about it if you don’t get it. Explaining would waste too much time. Here, I’ll go over what you need to fix again.

Haruka Nanami: Um, let me write this down!

Ai Mikaze: Of course you should write it down! Sheesh, your composition skill isn’t bad, so how come you make flubs like these…?

Haruka Nanami: I’m sorry….

Although Mikaze-senpai is as strict as the rumors said, his teaching method is also very thorough.

I do my absolute best to follow along with his detailed explanations.

While working on composing the song, we take the time to discuss our upcoming schedules.

Haruka Nanami: The filming at the ocean the other day was amazing! If I recall correctly, this weekend’s scene will also be on-site at the beach. I wonder if filming will be done at the ocean more often now?

Ai Mikaze: That’s right. It’s about a mermaid, after all. Other than the underwater scenes, which will be done in CG, I believe most of the scenes will be filmed on-site. Haaah, I’m not fond of the ocean, though.

Haruka Nanami: You don’t like it?

Ai Mikaze: The ocean breeze makes me feel all sticky.

Mikaze-senpai replies with a sigh.

Haruka Nanami: True, it messes up your hair and makes your skin feel rough. Is… that the only reason?

Ai Mikaze: Eh? Ummm… I don’t like the salty smell. And I just feel like… I don’t have any good memories of the ocean.

He “feels like” he doesn’t have any good memories? What a strange way to put it.

Haruka Nanami: Maybe you got stung by a jellyfish when you were little or got swept away from the shore by the waves?

He hums as he thinks it over.

Ai Mikaze: I don’t have any particular memories of why, I just… I’m not fond of it. I don’t know why myself.

Haruka Nanami: I see. If you’re not fond of the ocean, why did you take the role of the mermaid?

Ai Mikaze: It was for work, so what else could I do? I’ll do anything if I’m ordered to.

He huffs and crosses his arms.

Here I’d thought him capable of anything, a model of perfection, but it turns out he isn’t fond of the ocean….

Haruka Nanami: Wow…. What a surprise, I didn’t think there was anything you couldn’t handle, Senpai.

Ai Mikaze: Well of course there is. I am technically a living being in human form. It’s not like I care about you finding out about this part about me.

For the first time, he looks a little embarrassed.

Ai Mikaze: I had a thought. Since we’ll be spending a lot of time together for a while, there are several things I have to inform you about. For example, regarding food—

As Mikaze-senpai is about to tell me something, the recording room door opens swiftly.

Reiji Kotobuki: Heya! You two having a good time working on the song!?

Haruka Nanami: Oh, Kotobuki-senpai!

Reiji Kotobuki: I just finished up work in the area and thought I’d stop in on my way home to see if I could help!

Kotobuki-senpai stands in the doorway with a huge smile.

Ai Mikaze: Reiji… If you’re here to tease us, then no thanks. We also don’t need your help to make this song.

Reiji Kotobuki: Aww c’mon, I’m part of the unit too, lemme have my say! Here ya go, I brought a gift~

Haruka Nanami: Wow, thank you so much for your kindness!

Inside the box that Kotobuki-senpai brought is a bunch of different-colored macarons.

Haruka Nanami: They’re so cute! Um, Mikaze-senpai! You should choose first!

I run up to Mikaze-senpai with the box in my hand.

He glances briefly at me and the box and then turns his head away.

Ai Mikaze: No thank you. I prefer not to intake food when I don’t have to. You have it instead.

Haruka Nanami: I… see?

Perhaps because he’s an idol he’s concerned about his weight?

Reiji Kotobuki: He’s always like this, Kouhai-chan. Don’t worry about him and help yourself! So, how’s it going?

Ai Mikaze: So-so. It’s not bad.

Reiji Kotobuki: My, oh my! Dearie, did you hear that?! Listen here, Ai-Ai calling it “not bad” translates to “pretty good!”

Haruka Nanami: Eh?! I thought for sure I did awful because he was so angry earlier….

Next to me, Mikaze-senpai puts a hand to his head as I gape at him.

Ai Mikaze: Geez… everything feels out of whack when you show up, Reiji.

After that exchange, Kotobuki-senpai joins us to give his input regarding the unit song.

Haruka Nanami: Thank you so much for your help when you’re so busy, both of you!

Once we’re done checking over the song, I stand up and bow to express my gratitude.

Mikaze-senpai is transferring over the song data onto his laptop.

Reiji Kotobuki: Before I forget, I’ve got a request for Ai-Ai here! You mind singing through Kouhai-chan’s song once?

Mikaze-senpai looks up from his laptop.

Ai Mikaze: You mean the unit song? Just me? Why? You could sing along with me, you know.

Kotobuki-senpai gives that question a moment’s thought.

Reiji Kotobuki: Uh, well, I kinda wanted to hear how it would sound first to get the feeling of it. You’re downright perfect at singing. I wanna follow your lead and all!

Ai Mikaze: The song isn’t complete yet… but I guess one time won’t hurt. You mind getting things ready?

Haruka Nanami: Alright! Um, do you need the sheet music?

Ai Mikaze: I remember it from looking at it earlier, so I don’t need it. I’ll sing. Can you start the music?

From the way Mikaze-senpai is drumming his fingers on the table, I can tell he wants me to hurry up.

Haruka Nanami: Y-yes! I’ll get right to it. Just a moment, please!

I scramble to get things ready and start the music.

Mikaze-senpai’s clear voice echoes in the small room.

Haruka Nanami: He really is amazing….

Perfect skill. An incredibly clear voice that resounds throughout the whole room.

This is a song that I wrote…. That thought sends a flush of warmth through my chest.

Reiji Kotobuki: Aine….

Haruka Nanami: Huh?

The voice behind me brings me back to my senses.

When I turn around, I see Kotobuki-senpai staring intensely at Mikaze-senpai.

Reiji Kotobuki: Aine….

Kotobuki-senpai’s lips barely move.

Aine...? Why...? Why does that word seem to resonate in my head…?

Ai Mikaze: How’s that? … Hey, what’s that look for?

I become aware that the music has stopped.

Reiji Kotobuki: Eh—o-oh, sorry ‘bout that! … I was just thinking about an old acquaintance, that’s all.

Ai Mikaze: You’re the one who wanted me to sing, and here you are thinking about something else? You DID listen properly, right?

Reiji Kotobuki: Yep, I did, thanks. And thanks to that I’ve got the gist of it. Sorry for putting you up to it!

Ai Mikaze: All I did was sing, it’s no big deal. Anyway, I’m heading home now.

He reaches for his laptop.

Reiji Kotobuki: Ah—just a moment! Can I ask you something?

Kotobuki-senpai pops up from his chair to call out to Mikaze-senpai before he can leave the room.

Reiji Kotobuki: You don’t happen to have any siblings, do you, Ai-Ai? Like for instance, a much-older brother…?

Ai Mikaze: None. It’s always been just me.

Reiji Kotobuki: Huh, that so….

Ai Mikaze: There you have it. I’m heading out now, good work.

With those words, Mikaze-senpai disappears from the room.

After that, Kotobuki-senpai leaves as well, as bright as ever and acting as if nothing has happened.

I am curious about why Kotobuki-senpai seemed off towards the end of the song….

Was there something wrong with Mikaze-senpai’s singing?

Several days later, I receive a text from Senpai.

Haruka Nanami: “Tomorrow, if your schedule is open, I’d like your help,” it reads.

It is a simple text with just that request. Still, I have no reason to refuse.

The next day I go to Mikaze-senpai’s studio to help him with work.

Thanks to the map he sent me, I can locate it without trouble.

Haruka Nanami: It looks like it’s a fifteen-minute walk from here. Since it’s my first time visiting, maybe I should bring some kind of gift?

Since I have a little extra time, I decide to take a look around at the shops on the way there.

As I reach the main street, I stop in front of a sweets shop.

Haruka Nanami: Hmmm…. Wouldn’t something sweet be best?

What should I get?

Select the phrase! 

Fruit gelatin (+0 Love)

My eyes land on a row of colorful fruit gelatin.

Haruka Nanami: Jelly of this sort is probably low in calories. This might make a good choice.

There is orange, pear, peach…. I wonder what kinds of fruit Mikaze-senpai likes best.

While thinking to myself that I should have asked him before, I continue looking over the various jellies until my eyes lock on one in particular.

Sweet Potato Yokan (+0 Love)

Haruka Nanami: It looks delicious, but it might be a little too plain.

A sign beside it reads in bold letters: “Great as a gift!”

Considering I am planning to buy this for a fifteen-year-old young boy whose tastes I don’t know, it is probably a little too mature as a snack.

Haruka Nanami: Okay, let’s try the shop next door.

Special Jumbo Cream Puff (+0 Love)

Haruka Nanami: It’s huge….

Whipped cream is swirled with custard cream in this fascinating double cream treat.

It is topped with large strawberries, making it very appealing to me, but….

Haruka Nanami: It’s probably too calorie-heavy.

Mikaze-senpai seems to be concerned about calorie consumption. Is there anything a little lower in calories?

I wander around a little, searching, until my eyes land on….

I pick up a jelly marketed as “marine jelly.”

Haruka Nanami: It’s so cute…!

Is it designed to look like the ocean?

Inside the cup, two different-colored jellies—aquamarine and a light emerald-green—are stacked on top of one another.

On the very top is a white mousse.

Several tiny shells and starfish made of sugar are nestled inside the jelly.

Haruka Nanami: I wonder if this looks a little childish?

Come to think of it, Mikaze-senpai said before that he wasn’t fond of the ocean, so this could help him become fonder of it, even just a little….

I purchase two cups of jelly and head for his studio.

Ai Mikaze: Once you’ve finished organizing that data, let me know. It needs to be sorted by song classification.

Haruka Nanami: A-alright!

As soon as I arrive at Mikaze-senpai’s studio, I am put to work.

My first task is to organize the music he has composed over the last three months. Most of it is just background music, but there is quite a lot of it.

That aside….

I take another look around Mikaze-senpai’s studio.

Although it’s his workplace, it seems almost too nice of a studio for one person.

The room itself is large and open. On the far side are two control rooms, including multiple recording booths.

There are shelves full of files, a corner for meetings, and a minibar.

There is even a tennis table, which I assume is for relaxation.

Mikaze-senpai is seated at the desk in the far corner of this room, which seems to be the main work area.

Sitting in his chair with his knees folded to his chest and arms around them, he types intently on his keyboard.

I wonder if Mikaze-senpai always works alone in this large room.

Haruka Nanami: Um, excuse me, Senpai?

Ai Mikaze: Hm? Are you done already?

His hands don’t stop typing as he replies.

Haruka Nanami: Ah, no, not yet. I was just wondering, do you not normally have an assistant to help you?

Ai Mikaze: I don’t. I always work alone. In fact, I’d say you’re the first. Whether you’re helpful or not is a different matter.

Haruka Nanami: Ack… I’ll do my best.

I return my focus to my own task and start working.

Haruka Nanami: This computer is amazing. I’ve never seen a screen like this, and its processing speed is so fast.

Mikaze-senpai has lent me this computer to work with. I’ve barely touched it, but I already have a feeling it is a very high-performance computer.

Ai Mikaze: Oh, that? That has the OS for a supercomputer I developed myself for my personal work. Let’s just say its processing speed is vastly higher than yours.

Haruka Nanami: What’s a… supercomputer?

Judging by the word "super", I imagine some really big system, like a bunch of computers connected together....

Mikaze-senpai spins his chair around.

Ai Mikaze: Your assumption is pretty close. Really, everything you’re thinking shows on your face….

Before I can ask how he knew what I was thinking, he’s already answered me.

Haruka Nanami: Am I really that easy to read? How embarrassing….

Ai Mikaze: Honesty isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but the ability to negotiate is also important at work. You should work on that a bit too.

He returns his gaze to his computer monitor.

Haruka Nanami: Ack… okay.

Haruka Nanami: I’m finished, Mikaze-senpai. I sent the email just now.

Somehow I manage to finish one task and send an email.

Ai Mikaze: Right, on to the next one. This folder contains hit songs from the past fifty years. I need you to sort them by genre.

Before I say a word, a large file is sent to my computer.

Sort hit songs by genre?

Haruka Nanami: When you say by genre, do you mean like by rock or pop, for example?

Hmmm, but what kind of genres could there be?

I begin counting music genres on my fingers.

Haruka Nanami: Ah but… I wonder what I should do if there are songs that overlap two genres?

At my mumbled question to myself, Mikaze-senpai heaves a long sigh.

Ai Mikaze: Haaah… Why don’t you decide that for yourself? You’re not a machine, are you? That’s why I asked for your help here.

Haruka Nanami: Understood….

It seems he heard me.

Okay, I’d better start thinking about this so I can be of use.

With that in mind, I return my attention to the computer screen before me.

Several hours of working like this pass.

Haruka Nanami: My head… I’m getting a little dizzy….

I am at the limit of my ability to focus.

Unfamiliar work combined with the nerves from working alone with Mikaze-senpai has drained me.

Unable to take it much longer, I am almost ready to collapse onto the computer, when....

Ai Mikaze: Oh, it’s three o’clock. Well then, it’s break time.

Mikaze-senpai finally looks away from his computer monitor.

Haruka Nanami: Yes!

I’m saved…!

With a big sigh, I stretch against the back of my chair.

Haruka Nanami: Hm? You aren’t going to take a break, Mikaze-senpai?

When the sound of typing continues, I look over at Mikaze-senpai to see that he has yet to stop working and is still facing the computer.

Ai Mikaze: No, I’m not.

Haruka Nanami: Aren’t you tired?

Ai Mikaze: Nope.

Haruka Nanami: Your eyes don’t hurt—

Ai Mikaze: Not at all.

The only sound that resonates in the room is the clicking of his keyboard.

H-hmmm. Will he be okay?

I observe Mikaze-senpai as he continues to work.

Although I don’t know how much help I’ve been so far, I have to wonder how he handled work like this before I started helping.

What appears to be manuscripts and various documents are piled up on his desk.

But rather than being disorganized, everything is neat and angled precisely, as expected of him

Haruka Nanami: Senpai, are you making sure to get enough sleep? And what about food? It’s not good to push yourself too hard.

Ai Mikaze: I can go without sleep or eating just fine. If you’re free enough to worry about others, go back to work. Or help yourself to some coffee. It’s self-service.

He points to the coffee maker in the corner of the room.

Haruka Nanami: Alright….

He’s unapproachable.

I envy his superhuman capabilities, but I am still worried.

I watch him from behind as I prepare coffee for myself.

Once I’ve brewed some coffee from the barely-used coffee maker, I remember something.

Haruka Nanami: That’s right, I bought a treat earlier.

I raise my voice to call out to Mikaze-senpai from behind, who has continued working.

Haruka Nanami: Um, Senpai? I brought along a snack that I bought earlier….

Ai Mikaze: A snack? Are you mentioning that because it’s three o’clock? It’s alright, go ahead and eat it.

Haruka Nanami: That’s, um, that’s not what I meant. I wanted to share it with you. It’s jelly….

I set down the coffee and the marine jelly on the bistro table towards the center of the room.

Ai Mikaze: I already told you that I try not to have too much food intake.

Mikaze-senpai turns his head and his eyes fixate on what’s in my hands.

Ai Mikaze: ... Why’s it blue?

Haruka Nanami: Pardon?

Ai Mikaze: Jelly’s a food. What’s the purpose of coloring it an unnatural color for food?

At last, Mikaze-senpai stops working and turns his chair to face me.

Haruka Nanami: This is called marine jelly. It’s blue because it was designed to be reminiscent of the ocean.

Ai Mikaze: Huh…. It certainly looks like it’s made of gelatin. Why are there several different layers?

I suppose now he’s asking about how it’s made?

Haruka Nanami: I’m guessing each layer was made separately and then stacked on top of one another. Oh, it’s probably supposed to look like the surface of the ocean down to the depths.

Mikaze-senpai accepts this with a nod and picks up one of the cups to peer at the gelatin from the side.

I pour a cup of coffee for him too.

Haruka Nanami: With those shells and starfish suspended in the jelly, it’s really cute, isn’t it?

Ai Mikaze: Cute…. This is… cute? I didn’t realize shells and starfish could be considered “cute”….

Haruka Nanami: The other day you said you weren’t fond of the ocean, so I bought this in hopes it would help you like it even a little bit.

Ai Mikaze: I’m interested.

Mikaze-senpai stands up to approach at last and takes a seat at one of the bistro table chairs instead.

Haruka Nanami: Yay, that’s great! I’m sure this marine jelly’s delicious! It’s from a popular sweets shop. Here, I’ll get it ready.

As I open the jelly packaging and flip it onto a plate, Mikaze-senpai watches intently.

Once the jelly is placed, he cautiously pokes it with a coffee spoon.

Ai Mikaze: Hey, you try to eat it first.

Haruka Nanami: Eh—why?

Ai Mikaze: I want you to make sure that this food is safe.

As he says this, he scoops up a bite of jelly with his spoon.

Haruka Nanami: Y-you want me to test if it’s poisonous?!

Ai Mikaze: It doesn’t seem to be quite that dangerous, but it’s a type of jelly I’ve never seen before. So, just to be safe.

He extends the spoon towards me. The jelly jiggles from side to side.

Haruka Nanami: That’s… I bought it myself and I’m pretty sure it’s just normal jelly. There shouldn’t be a problem with eating it yourself, but….

Ai Mikaze: If that’s the case, then you should have no problem. Here you go, open your mouth.

Haruka Nanami: Um….

Upon meeting his eyes, I freeze up.

Ai Mikaze: Hurry up, I am telling you to open your mouth. Do you understand? It won’t go in if you don’t open your mouth.

He pokes the spoonful of jelly against my lips.

Haruka Nanami: Um, I have my own portion so I’m good! It’s fine!

Ai Mikaze: Nope, not good enough. The test is pointless if you don’t sample from my portion. Open up. I’ll feed it to you.

Haruka Nanami: Ngh… okay….

I hesitantly open my mouth.

With that leeway, Mikaze-senpai slips the spoonful of jelly he’s holding into my mouth.

Haruka Nanami: Hnn—mph….

Ai Mikaze: How is it? Does it taste good?

The mouthful of jelly is slightly tart and citrusy, like grapefruit and lemon.

The creamy mousse is sweet, softening the tanginess of the jelly.

Haruka Nanami: ... It’s delicious.

Mikaze-senpai withdraws his hand and nods several times.

Ai Mikaze: Good. Then I’ll have some too. Thanks for the gift.

After politely putting his hands together, he also begins to eat.

T-that surprised me….

He just wanted me to taste-test, but what he did reminds me of how couples feed each other food….

I take a sip of coffee while feeling my face turning red.

Mikaze-senpai continues eating his jelly as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

Looking again, I notice he is carefully separating the jelly into each layer.

From those jelly chunks, he scoops out the shaped sugar pieces and sets them neatly aside.

Haruka Nanami: Aren’t you going to eat those?

I point out the sugar candies as I say this. It doesn’t look like he plans to eat them.

Ai Mikaze: Eh…? These are shells and starfish. I can’t eat them, can I?

He gapes at me in surprise.

Huh? He is… joking, right…?

Haruka Nanami: Um, these clams and starfish are actually made of sugar. They’re perfectly edible.

Ai Mikaze: Oh, I see. I thought they weren’t edible. Hmmm…. You’re right. It’s sweet.

He picks up a starfish and pops it into his mouth.

… He can be surprisingly naive, it seems.

Mikaze-senpai, when he is eating jelly like this, actually appears to be acting his age for once.

He’d probably get mad if I said that aloud, but he really is acting younger than usual.

That is an expression completely different from the typical strict-and-scary Mikaze-senpai.

Haruka Nanami: Does it taste good?

This time, it’s my turn to ask that question.

Ai Mikaze: It’s… probably good… I think.

As he says this, Mikaze-senpai eyes the remaining chunks of the jelly on his plate and the shells and starfish candies he lined up on the table.

Although he’d added “probably”, it’s a better reaction than usual.

It seems that it was a good idea to buy that jelly after all.

I pick up my own spoon and begin eating my portion of jelly.

Ai Mikaze: This seems like something Natsuki would like.

Mikaze-senpai muses out loud.

Haruka Nanami: Oh, you’re right! Shinomiya-san is very fond of cute things, after all. And since it’s an unusual type of jelly, I imagine Syo-kun would enjoy it if he received it as well.

When I say this, Mikaze-senpai looks up from his jelly.

Ai Mikaze: That’s right, you graduated with those two. You must get along well with them.

Haruka Nanami: I do! Even when we were in school together, Shinomiya-san and Syo-kun were always helping me out when I needed it. Actually, I still receive lots of advice from them….

Come to think of it, they both said you were a great senpai to them.

Ai Mikaze: That’s kind of surprising. I was certain they weren’t fond of me... at least that’s what I thought.

Haruka Nanami: That’s not true! They say that your strictness is your way of showing your concern and that what you say is always precise!

Flustered, I refute him.

Ai Mikaze: They told you that? Heh, and here Syo was always putting up a fuss during the Master Course.

Mikaze-senpai wears a slightly wry smile as he recalls dealing with Syo-kun and Shinomiya-san during their Master Course.

Haruka Nanami: He did say he had a lot of complaints at that time.

It feels like the conversation about mutual acquaintances lightens the atmosphere.

Haruka Nanami: Um, Senpai! Is it alright if we talk for a little while longer as we eat?

I take the chance to propose this idea and learn more about him.

Ever since becoming partners, the only thing we’ve ever done is work, leaving no chance to talk and come to better understand one another.

There might not be a better chance to talk casually like this for a while.

At my words, Mikaze-senpai glances at the studio clock.

Ai Mikaze: ... Sure, as thanks for the snack. But only fifteen minutes.

Haruka Nanami: Oh…! Thank you! Um, then….

Select the phrase! 

Ask about his music (+20 Love)

Haruka Nanami: How long have you been performing music?

True, his singing and music composition are downright perfect, but judging by his age he couldn’t have graduated from Saotome Academy.

Where could he have studied music?

Ai Mikaze: How long…? Hmmm. Since I was born, I suppose. After all, I was born to make music in the first place.

Haruka Nanami: Since you were... born? That would be awfully early….

And he even says he was born to make music.

Then again, come to think of it, one of my first memories is playing the piano.

Haruka Nanami: Um, I think I understand what you mean! I was also raised with music!

Ai Mikaze: You were too, huh? Then you might be able to understand me.

A very slight smile appears with his quiet murmur.

Ask about his family (+0 Love)

Haruka Nanami: Where is your actual home? Do you live with your parents?

He told Kotobuki-senpai that he had no siblings, so I wonder about what the rest of his family is like.

Mikaze-senpai’s family must surely be as beautiful as him....

Ai Mikaze: Home.... I don’t live very far from where I was born, but there’s no one else in my family. Or rather, there wasn’t anyone else to begin with.

He answers without any particular emotion.

Haruka Nanami: Eh—oh, um, I’m very sorry! So you… don’t have any family at all.

That might have been an insensitive question I just asked.

Feeling guilty, I timidly look back up at him, only to see Mikaze-senpai casually spinning his spoon around.

Ai Mikaze: It’s no big deal. What I don’t have, I don’t have. I do have the professor as a guardian. Oh, and I guess Shining too. So there’s no problem there.

The professor…? That must be his guardian’s line of work.

Haruka Nanami: By “Shining” you’re referring to the company president, right?

Ai Mikaze: Right. Even without a family, I have no difficulties with my everyday needs.

With a nod, he takes another bite of jelly.

To be working like this from such a young age… he probably is going through a lot of hardship.

Ask about his living situation (+10 Love)

Haruka Nanami: How is your living situation right now?

I’ve never seen him in the agency dorms at least, and now that the Master Course is finished, he isn’t living together with Shinomiya-san and Syo-kun either.

Ai Mikaze: My living situation...? You mean you want to know where I live?

Haruka Nanami: Yes. I was curious about where you’re currently living.

Ai Mikaze: “Where”...? Here. I live here. This is my home.

Haruka Nanami: Eh—HERE?! But isn’t this a work studio!?

“That’s right,” Mikaze-senpai replies with a nod.

The entire room is sparkling clean.

When I take another look around, I can’t even find any signs that anyone is actually living there.

There are a decent number of studios on the first floor of the building, but they’re mostly filled with music equipment.

Haruka Nanami: Um, where do you usually sleep?

Ai Mikaze: When I take a break, I just stay at my desk. For the rare times I need to completely power off, I lay on the sofa.

There is indeed a sofa where he points, but it doesn’t look long enough for Mikaze-senpai to sleep on, judging by his height.

Haruka Nanami: ... You aren’t uncomfortable sleeping there?

Ai Mikaze: Not at all. The room temperature doesn’t change, and I have all the machinery I need. It’s quite comfortable.

He tilts his head in confusion.

Is that the case?

I also tilt my head, unable to picture his normal living habits.

Ai Mikaze: Is that all you had to ask? Anything else? You still have plenty of time left.

I am not prepared for the question in return and briefly flounder for a response.

Haruka Nanami: Eh—!? Um, then… what are your dreams?

Whoops, it feels like I am conducting an interview for a magazine or something.

I feel like wincing at my own lack of variety with these questions.

For a brief moment, Mikaze-senpai considers the question, then opens his mouth to reply.

Ai Mikaze: A dream…? I don’t have one. I do have a goal and various things I want to work on, though. What about you? Do you have a dream?

Haruka Nanami: Me? My dream is….

Select the phrase! 

To remain in the agency (+0 Love)

Haruka Nanami: It’s not exactly a dream, but my immediate concern is remaining at the agency….

I mumble this with uncertainty.

Ai Mikaze: That’s true. In your case, you’re prioritizing avoiding your problems over having dreams.

Ahh, he’s concluded that I don’t have any dreams....

To debut (+10 Love)

Haruka Nanami: I’d say my dream is to debut with a song that I wrote....

Right now that’s my number one dream.

Helping out Mikaze-senpai and composing BGM tracks is fun and a great learning experience….

I want the audience to hear my music!

To that end, I need to work hard and have Mikaze-senpai acknowledge me, but….

Ai Mikaze: I see, so your dream is to debut. A wish that has a low chance of success, thus, a “dream.”

Haruka Nanami: Um… did you just say that I have little chance of succeeding…?

Ai Mikaze: I think I understand a little better now what a “dream” is.

Haruka Nanami: That’s… good to hear.

Ouch, that hurts a little.

To write music for idols (+20 Love)

Haruka Nanami: I initially aspired to be in the entertainment industry because I wanted to write a song for a particular idol.

I think back to before I attended Saotome Academy when I answer.

I’d decided I wanted to write songs for the idol on TV I looked up to.

Thinking that, I’d enrolled at Saotome Academy.

Since then various things have happened and I ended up being unable to fulfill that dream, but….

Haruka Nanami: Right now, even if it’s not that person, I want to write songs that make idols sparkle and will entertain the audience.

I want to become a great composer. That’s my dream!

Ai Mikaze: Maybe it’s because your goal is different from mine, but I don’t really understand what you mean….

However, you looked really excited when you were talking about your dream just now. Is that what’s different, maybe?

After our talk about dreams, Mikaze-senpai spends some time thinking about something.

Ai Mikaze: I don’t quite get it. My goal is to produce a million sales hit, but that’s less a dream and more just a specific goal.

I don’t understand the feeling of aspiring to something so abstract.

To be honest, I can’t really understand “emotion” to begin with.

Haruka Nanami: You can’t… understand emotions?

Those words draw my attention.

Ai Mikaze: Nope. I’m sure I would grow in maturity if I were to understand them thoroughly.

Mikaze-senpai speaks with unusual nervousness.

Come to think of it, Shinomiya-san did say that Mikaze-senpai doesn’t have enough human expression.

When talking to him, I’ve noticed that he isn’t very expressive and seems downright flat.

The reason for that could be due to his lifestyle until now or how he was raised, or because of something I don’t know….

Haruka Nanami: But I think you’re already amazing. Your singing ability is incredible, and the music you compose is so good. I can learn a lot from it.

Senpai, I think you are perfect.

Ai Mikaze: I wonder about that. This time I was assigned a completely new, far more difficult project: acting.

It’s a big challenge.

Haruka Nanami: You’re talking about the movie filming, right?

“Right,” he replies with a nod.

Ai Mikaze: If I’m to act correctly for that movie, I need to understand romantic love. That’s something unknown to me, so it’s really tough.

He has to understand the feeling of romantic love?

Haruka Nanami: Umm, this might sound like a strange question, but…

I decide to put the question out there.

Haruka Nanami: … Does that mean you’ve never come to like someone or fallen in love before...?

Ai Mikaze: That’s right. I’ve never understood the feeling of loving or intimately caring about someone.

Haruka Nanami: I-I see….

In other words, Mikaze-senpai wants to effectively perform this new line of work and act in a movie, but since he doesn’t understand how it feels to be in love and to care about another person, he is a little troubled.

… I think I’m getting the idea.

After a period of silence, Mikaze-senpai glances at the clock.

Ai Mikaze: Question time is almost up. Do you mind if I ask one last question instead?

Haruka Nanami: Um, y-yes, go ahead!

Ai Mikaze: How would you describe the feeling of falling in love with someone?

At the sudden question, I am at a loss for words.

Haruka Nanami: I-I think that that question might be a little beyond me….

Ai Mikaze: I want to know more about that feeling. Will you teach me?

Despite my answer, he stares intently at me, expectant, and I search hurriedly for an answer.

Haruka Nanami: Love is…

Select the phrase! 

Cherishing them (+15 Love)

Haruka Nanami: I think that “loving” someone means wanting to cherish them and considering them important.

Ai Mikaze: Important… for me, my fans are important, but is that “love?”

Haruka Nanami: Hmmm, I don’t think that’s the same… after all, you have a lot of fans.

If among those important people you had someone who you cherished above all others, I think that would be “love.”

At my answer, Mikaze-senpai tilts his head.

Ai Mikaze: Someone I’d cherish above everyone else… umm. I don’t understand after all.

Not wanting to be apart (+10 Love)

Haruka Nanami: Not wanting to be apart. Wanting to always be together…. I-it’s something

I don’t really understand yet either….

For example, I love music. Because of that, I want to always be able to make music. I hope to always be with music.

I think love is basically like that…?

Maybe because he isn’t satisfied with the response, Mikaze-senpai looks away in thought.

Ai Mikaze: What you’re saying is that choosing of your own volition to be with something is to “love" it?

He thinks it over to himself after saying this.

I am not sure if I properly conveyed things, but then again “love” is a difficult thing to explain.

Feeling your heart race (+0 Love)

Ai Mikaze: Hmmm… Do you feel your heart race being with me now, for example?

Haruka Nanami: Huh?!

That definitely makes my pulse jump, but that is out of surprise.

Ai Mikaze: You… do sort of get that feeling, don’t you?

He asks this emphatically, to make sure.

When I don’t answer right away, Mikaze-senpai backs away.

Ai Mikaze: Hmm. All living humans have a heartbeat, so it’s too imprecise as an evaluation standard.

Haruka Nanami: Well, um, you’re right about that…

Senpai doesn’t look like he’s kidding around, so I am at a loss for words.

Ai Mikaze: What’s the matter? You’re making an odd face. Why not drink some coffee and calm down?

Unlike me, who has gotten flustered, Mikaze-senpai speaks calmly.

Ai Mikaze: It’s a really tough topic. I think understanding “love” is an assignment that will take a while.

After speaking curtly, he elegantly scoops the remaining jelly on his plate into his mouth.

Ai Mikaze: I don’t really get “like” in the romantic sense, but… I think… I like this jelly.

Mikaze-senpai murmurs quietly.

I’ve been able to interact with him face-to-face and come to understand him a little for the first time.

At first he seems perfect, but now I could see that there are things he doesn’t understand and lacks.

Haruka Nanami: Um… I know I’m not good with words, and I don’t understand romantic love very well myself, so I can’t give a good explanation anytime soon, but….

I’ll help you however I can until you do understand! You can ask me for help with anything!

I say this with the desire to support him, even if it is just with this one thing.

Mikaze-senpai sets down his spoon and narrows his eyes.

Ai Mikaze: Haha, what’s with that all of a sudden? So weird. You’re also kind of a strange one, aren’t you? Though not as much as I am, of course.

Right, let’s get back to work. If you don’t pick up the pace, we’ll be working all night.

Haruka Nanami: Ah... that would be a problem! I want to sleep in my own bed tonight!

Ai Mikaze: In that case, better give it a push. You seem to be having trouble sorting that data, so let’s have you work on arranging this music instead.

Haruka Nanami: Ah! Right!

On the table sits Mikaze-senpai’s untouched coffee, as well as the plate that held the jelly he ate.

For some time after that, I continue to travel to his studio and work with Mikaze-senpai.

I converse with him a little during work breaks.

Mostly we talk about music, but his knowledge of music is astounding and I lose track of time chatting.

By and large, I am learning more than I am able to be of help. Still, I feel like I’ve made some progress as his partner.

Today’s schedule includes filming for the movie. We arrive at the filming location.

In truth, the scene that was supposed to be filmed was changed abruptly. We were suddenly given a new script this morning.

This means that the Mikaze-senpai, in the lead role, has a lot to relearn.

Haruka Nanami: Are you doing alright, Senpai?

Ai Mikaze: Quiet. This much should be fine if I read this through once.

Mikaze-senpai is in the middle of reading through his script at an incredible speed.

True, he does have an amazing memory, but will he really be alright…?

Reiji Kotobuki: Wanna read it aloud with me? That’ll make it easier to remember.

Ai Mikaze: No way. Now’s not the time to butt into other people’s business—are you sure you remember your own lines?

Come to think of it, Kotobuki-senpai had a lot of lines added to his script as well.

Reiji Kotobuki: Ngh…. Not… yet. Gahh, so harsh! You broke ol’ Rei-chan’s heart….

Ai Mikaze: I’m not all that harsh. You’re just taking this too lightly. Buckle down already.

Mikaze-senpai lets out a sigh and returns his attention to his script.

Assistant Director: We’re starting rehearsal in a few minutes! Mikaze-san, please stand by!

Right as Mikaze-senpai finishes reading his script, the AD calls out.

Ai Mikaze: Yes, understood! … Here you go.

He closes his script and hands it to me, then heads for his place on set.

The filming begins.

Today they are filming the scene where the mermaid boy first comes to the girl’s home.

Mikaze-senpai has said that filming is a big challenge to overcome, but….

He runs through the garden of blooming flowers, turns the corner of the house, and meets the girl.

The moment he sees the girl, the look on his face is a mix of surprise and joy at being reunited with her again.

Ai Mikaze: There you are. Ever since that day, I’ve longed to see you again....

Mikaze-senpai smiles gently.

After that, he perfectly recites long lines of dialogue that he only just memorized from his script a few moments ago.

Haruka Nanami: Wow… Mikaze-senpai’s so talented. And he’s remembering his lines perfectly!

Reiji Kotobuki: Phew, that’s Ai-Ai for you. Looks like we’ll have this one wrapped up in one take.

Kotobuki-senpai, with his script in hand, murmurs to himself while watching Mikaze-senpai.

Talent A: Acting is what’s most important. Anyone can memorize and recite lines.

This particular actor is glaring at Mikaze-senpai.

Haruka Nanami: Umm….

If I remember correctly, he is a coactor. He is… kind of scary.

Kotobuki-senpai leans over to whisper in my ear.

Reiji Kotobuki: It’s tough to be popular~! Don’t worry about him, okay? You just focus on your partner’s acting.

Haruka Nanami: O-okay….

I nod several times.

The filming continues at an exceptionally smooth rate.

The final scene of the day involves the heroine.

Ai Mikaze: I’ll come see you again. Wait for me here.

This is where he is supposed to take the heroine’s hand, lean over, and kiss her forehead.

Except Mikaze-senpai very suddenly leans in close to her face.

Ai Mikaze: Hm...? Why’re you leaning away? Hold still—

When his co-star automatically pulls away, he firmly catches her arm and pulls her towards himself.

Ai Mikaze: Ngh?!

He pulls her too close and their foreheads collide with quite some force.

Both topple to the ground from the shock of their collision.

Ai Mikaze: Whoa, I-I’m sorry! Are you okay?!

Flustered, Mikaze-senpai quickly sets to helping his fellow actor up.

The director calls a swift cut and the staff rushes to check on them.

Talent A: How lame… the heck did he think he was doing?

Once again, I hear that voice from a corner of the studio.

After that, they attempt the scene over and over, but he can never get the timing—or pausing—just right.

Director: Hmmm, well, I guess since we did just redo that whole section of the script, it’s only to be expected….

Eventually the director waves his hand to the staff and actors.

Director: Let’s continue with this scene another day. We’ll move on to filming the scenes with Kotobuki-kun instead for now.

Reiji Kotobuki: Okay, okaaaay~! I’m aaaaall ready!

Kotobuki-senpai’s bubbly voice lightens the atmosphere.

That day, on the way home, I stop by Mikaze-senpai's studio for a while.

Haruka Nanami: Is your forehead alright?

Ai Mikaze: Ugh... it’s fine.

He is sitting on the couch when he says this, a conflicted look on his face as he is lost in thought.

I assume he’s bothered by his acting difficulties today.

After today’s filming, he apologized to the rest of the cast and to the staff.

He didn’t say much on the way home.

He never is one to talk excessively, but this is enough to worry me.

I set my things down and take a seat beside him on the sofa. After a while, Mikaze-senpai glances at me.

Ai Mikaze: Hey, um. Why’d my co-star move away like that? Did I do something?

From the way he asks me this, it sounds like he is deeply confused.

So he is worried about that after all….

Haruka Nanami: Um, th-that’s because… you might have come on to her a little too strongly.

Ai Mikaze: Even though I acted exactly as the script said? Hahhh… I’m stumped. So how should I act?

Haruka Nanami: Since you need to be more romantic about it, maybe take it slowly and go through the motions step by step, one at a time.

Mikaze-senpai sinks back against the sofa, thinking hard about my reply.

Ai Mikaze: Take it slowly…. If I do everything slowly it’ll take too long. What things should I focus on?

Haruka Nanami: How about how you…

Select the phrase! 

Kiss her (+30 Love)

I get embarrassed and I can’t bring myself to say “kiss.”

Haruka Nanami: Um… At the very least I think it’s best that you, um, take the end very slowly.

Ai Mikaze: Take what slowly? Just say it.

Ack…. It’s embarrassing to say, but I’ll say it to help Mikaze-senpai.

Haruka Nanami: Right at the end you should… slowly bring your lips closer to her forehead… to kiss her.

Ai Mikaze: Got it. Do you mind if we practice that kiss scene right now?

Haruka Nanami: W-what?!

As soon as he finishes speaking, Mikaze-senpai turns to face me so that he has one knee on the sofa.

Haruka Nanami: J-just a—please hold on a moment, Senpai!

He is so much taller that he towers over me and I become overwhelmed and freeze.

Passionate about acting or not, this is a little…!

Ai Mikaze: Come on, hold still or I won’t be able to do this right. Hmm... So where should I put my hands?

He waves one hand as an example.

Haruka Nanami: You should probably… put your hand on my shoulder....

At my answer, he carefully sets his hand on my shoulder. The warmth from the contact makes my heart leap in my chest.

Ai Mikaze: Like this? Now I just have to follow up, but… in your case, your bangs are kind of in the way.

Haruka Nanami: Maybe you should brush them to the side with your other hand.

Mikaze-senpai does as instructed and pushes my bangs out of the way, and then brings his lips closer to my forehead.

Take her hand (+0 Love)

Haruka Nanami: If you just grab her hand out of nowhere, I think she’d be really startled. That’s why, when you take her hand….

It is clear by how Mikaze-senpai’s brow furrows that he doesn’t quite get it yet.

Haruka Nanami: You should take her hand gently and try to keep your actions soft and steady.

Ai Mikaze: Gentle, soft and steady…. Let me borrow your hand for a moment. You mean something… like this?

He carefully grasps my hand.

Haruka Nanami: That’s certainly gentle, but… hmm….

… Huh?

Haruka Nanami: It’s okay to let go now.

Mikaze-senpai stares me in the eye, not saying anything.

Perhaps he has gotten into his role.

Somewhat faster than I expected, he bends towards my forehead.

Look her in the eye (+15 Love)

Haruka Nanami: While you’re making eye contact, make sure to move slowly so the actress knows your next move.

Ai Mikaze: Eye contact.... I see…. Like this?

His beautiful eyes peer into mine.

Haruka Nanami: Eep…. Somehow this is really nerve-wracking….

Being so close to him has my heart racing.

Ai Mikaze: You’re nervous? That can’t be good. It’ll make it hard for my partner to act.

The whole time our gazes are locked.

… It is making me tense.

Haruka Nanami: N-no, it’s fine. I’d actually say this is… the correct response in this situation, in fact it’s a good sign, but....

With my heart beating so fast, it is kind of hard to form the right words.

Ai Mikaze: If you say so, then I’ll believe you. Next is…

His face nears my forehead.

… At this rate... is he really going to kiss me?

Haruka Nanami: M-Mikaze-senpai! Stop! Let’s stop here for now!

Ai Mikaze: … Why?

Haruka Nanami: To refer to the sc-script! I don’t quite know the details yet!

Unless I know what will happen next, I can’t give you proper advice!

Ai Mikaze: Hmm... that’s true. Alright. It looks like you have a talent for giving advice on acting.

Haruka Nanami: D-do you think so?

Ai Mikaze: I understand the concept of descriptions like “gently” or “romantically,” but I don’t really know how those words translate into actions.

Haruka Nanami: I… see….

This might be what people mean when they say that understanding a maiden’s heart is difficult.

Ai Mikaze: I’m appointing you to be my acting advisor. I feel like you’re qualified for the role. Will you help me out?

Haruka Nanami: Help you out…?

I feel like this is the first time I’ve ever heard him say that.

It thrills me.

If there is any way I can assist him as a partner, then….

Haruka Nanami: I will! I’ll do whatever I can to support you!

“Good,” replies Mikaze-senpai with a nod.

After that, we rehearse the troublesome scene repeatedly.

It turns out that it isn’t the moment of the forehead kiss that is giving him trouble, but instead the actions leading up to it.

We end up practicing the scenes that come before and after as well.

The day of filming that scene arrives. We stand in a corner of the set, waiting.

Ai Mikaze: One last check. At this point I should tilt my head at this angle like… this, right?

Mikaze-senpai leans close to my face.

Haruka Nanami: Eek!

My heart rate jumps at being close enough to feel his breath, and I turn my face away.

Ai Mikaze: Should I take your surprise to mean I didn’t get it quite right yet?

Haruka Nanami: No, um, it’s not that that was wrong, I mean, that was actually really good, just, um, doing that in a place like this…!!

Ai Mikaze: This is rehearsal. Repetition is the most basic part of practice. One more time, now hold still.

His argument is perfectly sound, but that doesn’t change the fact that practicing something like this here of all places is a little….

Ai Mikaze: So I tilt my head like this…. Next, place my hand on your shoulder. Finally I need to gently press my lips to your forehead…

Reiji Kotobuki: Let your love~ ♪ Ring far and wide~ ♪ Odorokimaaan~ ♪ … Oh, morniiin’! Eh, w-wai—whaa?!

Haruka Nanami: Hyaaaah?!

I leap away from Mikaze-senpai.

Kotobuki-senpai’s eyes are as big as saucers.

Haruka Nanami: U-um, this is—this is for Mikaze-senpai’s acting…!

Ai Mikaze: Nothing to be so surprised about. This is just a rehearsal, that’s all.

Mikaze-senpai cuts across my words with his straightforward statement.

Kotobuki-senpai nods awkwardly three times, and then gives an awkward cough.

Reiji Kotobuki: O-oh... r-right! All’s well then. That reminds me, Ai-Ai, you gonna be alright today? Think you can manage?

Ai Mikaze: Manage what?

Reiji Kotobuki: I was all set to offer you advice on your acting, but looks like you’ve already worked on it with Kouhai-chan here, huh?

Haruka Nanami: Y-yes. We were discussing the specifics again just now.

Reiji Kotobuki: That so? Good to hear. And lookin’ good too, sounds like you’re coming along well as partners.

Ai Mikaze: Coming along well… as partners?

Reiji Kotobuki: I’m talking about how you’re supporting each other like that. Well done, well done!

Next to the grinning Kotobuki-senpai, Mikaze-senpai seems to be thinking about something again.

Ai Mikaze: Supporting one another… a give-and-take relationship. In other words, there are merits to this partner relationship after all.

Haruka Nanami: Mikaze-senpai? The filming is about to begin…

Ai Mikaze: Right, I’ll get going. Will you watch everything carefully? I want to hear your thoughts about it afterwards.

Haruka Nanami: Yes, of course!

With a nod to me, Mikaze-senpai heads onto the set with confidence.

The day’s filming ends without incident, with the problematic scene resolving successfully.

That scene with the forehead kiss is so romantic that I blush just watching.

Kotobuki-senpai, who comes over to watch, keeps mumbling that it’s embarrassing him.

It’s extra embarrassing for me when I think about how I helped rehearse this scene….

I’ve read the lines of this scene enough that I can quote them almost perfectly.

The director is pleased, saying it went well.

For a time, I’d been worried about how things would turn out, but for now we are in the clear.

While I am waiting for Mikaze-senpai after filming is over, Kotobuki-senpai walks over to me after he’s finished getting ready to go home.

Haruka Nanami: Oh, good work today!

“Hey, hey!” Kotobuki-senpai calls with a wave of his hand.

Reiji Kotobuki: Nah, I didn’t do much today. You’re the one who’s really had it tough, haven’t you? All worried about Ai-Ai like that.

Haruka Nanami: No, really, it was nothing! Besides, you were also concerned and trying to help Mikaze-senpai out, weren’t you?

Since this is the first movie Mikaze-senpai has been in, Kotobuki-senpai has been casually supporting Mikaze-senpai both during filming and off camera.

I hadn’t noticed he was doing that until recently.

Reiji Kotobuki: Haha, that’s about all I could do for him. I haven’t been in the entertainment industry this long for nothing!

That said, I’ve been thinking that Ai-Ai’s role is a pretty tough one.

Haruka Nanami: Is it really?

Mikaze-senpai’s role is the mermaid.

In order to reunite with the now-grown girl, the mermaid sacrifices his voice in exchange for a human form and goes to the human world.

That’s why, during the latter part of the movie, he has to act completely without speaking.

The emotions of the mermaid prince, the lead role, are complex.

However, Mikaze-senpai is still young, and this is the first time he has ever acted for a romantic role. It’s no wonder Kotobuki-senpai says this is tough.

Reiji Kotobuki: Back when I first got this job from Shiny-san, he shocked me by saying, “Mikaze is playing the lead for this movie.”

To be honest, I kept thinking, “Will he be alright?” Oh, uh, Ai-Ai’ll get mad if he hears that, so let’s keep this a secret, okay?

Haruka Nanami: But Mikaze-senpai’s very studious and is working very hard.

Reiji Kotobuki: Mmhmm, Ai-Ai’s a real hard worker. He’s been taking this job quite seriously.

But, you know… when I see him giving his all like that, I actually start to get worried.

Haruka Nanami: Worried? Why is that?

After a long moment of silence, Kotobuki-senpai opens his mouth again.

Reiji Kotobuki: A while back, I had an idol friend whom I was very close to.

The word ”had” catches my attention.

Reiji Kotobuki: He was an incredible singer and actor, a real genius in my opinion. But you see, he was much more sensitive than most people, and one day he had this really tough role….

And then he just up and vanished.

Kotobuki-senpai says it so off-handedly.

Haruka Nanami: He… vanished?

Reiji Kotobuki: That event was in the news, actually. Have you ever heard about it?

Haruka Nanami: No…. I’m sorry, I didn’t know anything about anyone vanishing like that due to work.

Reiji Kotobuki: He would get totally sucked into his roles. In this case, he fretted over the role all on his own, and then, in the end, he just vanished into thin air.

Kotobuki-senpai stares at the ground as he says that, his expression a little pained.

Haruka Nanami: So something like that happened….

Reiji Kotobuki: Yep. To be honest, Ai-Ai acts just like him. In fact, even his appearance and singing voice are the same.

Haruka Nanami: Even his singing voice?

Reiji Kotobuki: That’s why when I first heard Ai-Ai sing I was in total shock. Like, “Whoa, he’s totally like him!”

And now we’re going to be singing in a unit together. Every time I look at Ai-Ai, I’m reminded of that friend of mine.

Haruka Nanami: Really? That’s… that’s just....

Reiji Kotobuki: No matter how similar they look, there’s too much of an age gap for them to be the same person.

So I thought maybe they might be brothers, but when I asked about it, that theory was thrown right out the window.

Haruka Nanami: Oh… you mean that time you asked that question out of the blue.

That day at the start of the month when Kotobuki-senpai asked Mikaze-senpai if he had any siblings, after hearing him sing the unit song.

Reiji Kotobuki: Well, it’s just a coincidental resemblance, that’s all.

Ai Mikaze: What is…? What are you talking about?

I jump and spin around. There stands Mikaze-senpai.

Haruka Nanami: M-Mikaze-senpai! You’re back!

Kotobuki-senpai’s usual smile appears on his face, and he waves a hand dismissively.

Reiji Kotobuki: Nothing important, just some small talk is all! Oh hey, you’re done filming for today, right? Want to go over our script together for the next scene?

Ai Mikaze: No, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.

Mikaze-senpai responds just like always.

Reiji Kotobuki: Ahahaha, looks like I’ve been dumped! Alrighty then, see you next week~ I’ll leave the rest to your partner here.

Haruka Nanami: Eh, what?

Waving wildly, Kotobuki-senpai calls out, “Laterrrrr~!” as he heads off.

Ai Mikaze: It looks like you’ve been tasked with something, but what?

Haruka Nanami: That it does….

Ai Mikaze: If anything, I should be the one entrusting things to my partner. How weird.

Mikaze-senpai cocks his head.

When I get home that night, I set to work on the unit song once more.

Haruka Nanami: This month has just flown by, so it’s about time I got this song finished.

Kotobuki-senpai’s words come back to me as I work on the song.

After watching him from up close, I understand now that Mikaze-senpai is always serious, hardworking, and studious.

In return for his guidance, I need to work hard and support him as his partner.

Haruka Nanami: Perhaps I should gather up these documents…

I pick up the documents for the Christmas Live that Mikaze-senpai has collected.

There are a lot of them, but I can finish them up if I go through them steadily every day after work.

Of course, if Mikaze-senpai were to do it, he’d probably have them all done in a flash.

Haruka Nanami: This is just practice by repetition! Mikaze-senpai said so himself!

By using the method I learned from him, I finish sorting the documents.

It’s good that autumn nights are long.

In the evening, after a day’s work, I can quietly help with Mikaze-senpai’s work.

Several days later…

Haruka Nanami: Good work today….

Composition Mentor: Whoa, are you okay, Nanami-san?

I am suffering from lack of sleep and overwork.

Haruka Nanami: I’m fine. I can handle this much without a problem.

Three days ago, a sudden request for assistance came in, along with the need to redo another project.

Today I’m helping as the assistant for a composer that Tsukimiya-sensei introduced me to.

I also do this three days a week. This job is usually on days when I’m not helping out at Mikaze-senpai’s studio.

Composition Mentor: Anyway, in regards to the drama BGM I had you compose the other day, the length of it will need to be changed.

Also, we’ve decided to leave half the BGM composition for the movie to you.

Haruka Nanami: What, really!?

According to him, the test BGM that I composed went over well with the director, and this means my name will appear in the movie credits.

My name will appear in a movie that Mikaze-senpai stars in….

Haruka Nanami: Thank you very much!

I bow deeply.

On returning to my dorm room, I message Mikaze-senpai, who is probably still at work.

Haruka Nanami: I’ve been asked to compose some of the movie’s BGM. … There we go.

My Composition Mentor complimented me recently, telling me I’ve improved. That might be thanks to Mikaze-senpai’s instructions.

And I’m almost finished with the work I have right now.

As sleepy as I am, I feel fired up to give it my all for just a little longer.

Haruka Nanami: But… I feel a bit chilly....

I shiver from a sudden chill. Well, it is already November, so that shouldn’t come as a surprise.

I can just put on another layer to warm up and then continue working.

By the time I finish and submit everything, it is nearly dawn.

Haruka Nanami: I did it….

However, as soon as that thought crosses my mind, everything before me starts swaying and fades to white.

Hm…?

Am I… on my bed?

When I come to, I am lying on my bed.

When did I go to bed?

The moment I slowly lift my head, I hear a voice from right beside me.

Ai Mikaze: Oh, you’re awake.

Haruka Nanami: Huh!?

My eyes widen at the sight of Mikaze-senpai.

He is crouching next to my bed, resting his face on his hand with an elbow on the bed.

Ai Mikaze: Good morning. Then again, considering the time, I suppose good evening is more appropriate.

After standing, he touches my neck and peers at me closely.

Ai Mikaze: Hmm. Your complexion’s much better now. Pulse, breath rate, and level of consciousness are also normal, but your temperature seems high.

I think I get it now.

Haruka Nanami: Um, did I happen to pass out?

Ai Mikaze: That you did. You were lying on the floor when I got here. Extreme fatigue. Lack of sleep. Weakening immune system. Add it all together and you got hit with a fever. It looks like a cold.

Haruka Nanami: A cold…. I see.

I feel feverish, and my throat hurts. I am also still wearing the same outfit I’d had on when I’d passed out.

As my thoughts clear, I realize something.

Haruka Nanami: Excuse me, Senpai, but how were you able to enter my room? I’m sure I locked the front door properly.

Ai Mikaze: I opened it myself.

Haruka Nanami: Huhhh!?

Ai Mikaze: I’m very dextrous, you know. It’s a simple matter to open a lock like that one.

He twirls his finger while making that off-handed reply.

Select the phrase! 

You shouldn’t do that kind of thing! (+15 Love)

Haruka Nanami: Y-you shouldn’t do that! That’s unlawful entry—it’s socially inappropriate, you know!?

Ai Mikaze: But if I hadn’t come in, you’d have been left on the floor. That would’ve been a problem.

He lets out a sigh.

Haruka Nanami: W-well, that’s true, but….

Did you come here because you were worried about me?

I’m impressed you unlocked it (+0 Love)

Ai Mikaze: That was the first time I’ve tried it myself, but it seems I can do it if I try. I wonder what I can use this skill for.

Haruka Nanami: Maybe you can demonstrate it on a variety show?

Wait, that’s not the point!

Dextrous or not… (+10 Love)

Ai Mikaze: Do you want to learn too? First, you press your finger to the keyhole... like this….

Mikaze-senpai raises both index fingers in a strange pose as he explains.

Haruka Nanami: No, I’m fine, thank you.

Just how many different skills does he know?

I ask while lifting my body from the bed.

Ai Mikaze: I came because no matter how many times I called, you didn’t answer. When I stopped by to check, all the lights in your room were on…. Could you not cause so much trouble?

Haruka Nanami: I’m sorry….

Ai Mikaze: It’s fine. In any case, you need to stay put until your fever goes down... and with that said—

Haruka Nanami: Senpai, what are you—eep!?

He sticks a cooling sheet to my forehead and pushes me back into bed.

Ai Mikaze: That should do it. Now if you just get some sleep you should recover on your own.

Grrrowl....

Haruka Nanami: … Ngh.

Of all the times for my stomach to growl.

Silence falls.

Ai Mikaze: “Dinner preparation” shall be added to the list for Project Caregiving. I’m going to borrow your kitchen.

Haruka Nanami: Eh, you are!? I can’t make you do that!

When I try to jump to my feet, he forcefully throws the blanket back over me and shoves me back into bed.

Ai Mikaze: This is a Mentor Order. Sleep!

Mikaze-senpai leaves the room.

Haruka Nanami: Is this… udon?

Two hours have passed since I was made to rest by the Mentor Order.

On being called downstairs to the living room, I find that the table has been neatly set with a small bowl and a single set of chopsticks, evenly spaced from one another.

Ai Mikaze: I have data that udon is suitable for proper care of a sick person. It’s easy to digest, as it’s made with water, salt, eggs, and white powder… that’s what I used, right there.

Haruka Nanami: Ah, flour. Wait, does that mean this is all handmade?

“That’s right,” Mikaze-senpai replies with a nod.

It is hard to believe that the beautiful, flat-sided udon noodles that float with the eggs in the broth are handmade.

Haruka Nanami: It’s so well done. This looks delicious….

Ai Mikaze: That’s enough staring, now eat up. This is the first time I’ve ever made udon, so I’m not sure if I did it right.

He also takes a seat.

Haruka Nanami: I think this is more than good enough. Thank you so much for this meal!

I pick up the chopsticks and lift an udon noodle to my mouth… and notice something.

Haruka Nanami: Semhai, d'you ha'en to cut th'noodles?

At my question, he tilts his head.

In fact, the noodles are really just one very long noodle, and no matter how much I slurp it up, I can’t see the end.

According to Mikaze-senpai, he had the data for the width of the noodles, but he didn’t know how long to make them. And so, this result.

Ai Mikaze: Well, it’s said that in cases like this you have to just suck it up in one go. Do your best.

I’m not sure whether to call him skillful or clumsy. This udon is very unusual, but it tastes delicious.

As I eat, Mikaze-senpai watches me with apparent interest.

Ai Mikaze: Just to be sure, it does taste good, right?

Haruka Nanami: Yes, of course. It’s delicious… and more importantly, it’s something you made for me.

Ai Mikaze: How is something that I made different from something I didn’t make?

Haruka Nanami: Well, your kindness in cooking this makes me happy, for one. It makes the udon taste even better.

Ai Mikaze: Kindness, huh…. As long as it tastes good, I’ll consider it a success.

Mikaze-senpai rests his chin on both hands as he continues to watch me eat.

Haruka Nanami: Um, when you stare at me like that, it’s, um, it makes me kind of nervous….

Ai Mikaze: I want to know how you react, to make sure I’m doing a proper job of taking care of you. No need to be so stiff in your own home.

Haruka Nanami: That’s true, but still!

This might be the first time I’ve ever been so tense in my own home.

Ai Mikaze: My kindness, was it? If something like that can make you happy, then it might not be such a bad thing.

Haruka Nanami: That was delicious. Thank you very much.

Now that I have eaten well, I feel more energized than before.

Ai Mikaze: Well? What were you even doing that resulted in you lying unconscious on the floor?

He points to the spot on the floor in front of my laptop.

Haruka Nanami: Uhh… I finished all my own work yesterday. There was also the retake which I also somehow managed to do....

Ai Mikaze: Listen here, you’re not as strong as I am, so you can’t overwork yourself.

I took a look at the documents you finished, and… those were originally mine, weren’t they?

Haruka Nanami: You looked at it!? But it wasn’t finished yet!

Ai Mikaze: That’s for sure. Even the parts you finished were crudely done. If you have the time to do work that you’re not responsible for, spend that time taking care of yourself.

Oh shoot, I made him mad….

Ai Mikaze: First and foremost, the thing you should be focusing on is the unit song. You’ve been making progress, right? May I hear it?

Haruka Nanami: Y-yes! Of course!

I hurry to prepare the music.

SONG: "QUARTET NIGHT" (S Rank)

Ai Mikaze: I’d give this about 80 points.

Haruka Nanami: Then, umm… you consider 50 points as a full score, then I got 160%...?

Ai Mikaze: Uh, no, this time it was out of 100 points. You can’t exceed 100% here.

In other words…

Haruka Nanami: I got a high score?

Mikaze-senpai scribbles a flower mark on my sheet music sitting in front of my laptop.

Ai Mikaze: This isn’t half bad, but… let’s see, how about doing some research on what’s popular in music right now and adding that?

For example, you could change the timbre of the synth drums and make it sound a little more sparkly, like this....

When Mikaze-senpai makes the change he’d suggested, the music immediately begins to sound brighter.

Ai Mikaze: The piece needs to sound like something you would write, but it’s also important to analyze data and properly incorporate good technique into your compositions to create a good piece.

Haruka Nanami: That’s very good advice….

Is this the result of his daily research and analysis?

Ai Mikaze: This much is only natural. Alright, I’m going to go clean up.

While I sit there, amazed, Mikaze-senpai stands up from his seat next to me.

Haruka Nanami: Um, I’ll take care of the clean-up. Please sit down again….

As soon as I say that, he sets his hand on my head and holds me in place.

Ai Mikaze: When you’re that shaky on your feet? Absolutely not. I’m not giving you permission.

Haruka Nanami: Alright… I’ll leave it to you.

With a silent nod, Mikaze-senpai heads for the kitchen.

I totter back to the sofa. Truthfully I am still a little shaky from the fever.

Shortly after, I hear the kitchen faucet being turned on.

I can’t just let myself be taken care of like this; I need to hurry up and get over this cold.

Ai Mikaze: Hmmm, hm-hmm, hmm-hm-hmmm, hmmm~

… A song?

I can hear a light melody coming from the kitchen.

It seems like even Mikaze-senpai hums. Curious, I find myself listening closely to the playful tone.

Ai Mikaze: Huh? The dish soap isn’t coming out....

The song stops abruptly.

Now that I think about it, I am almost out of dish soap.

I quickly stand up and stride to the kitchen.

Haruka Nanami: Excuse me, there’s another bottle of dish soap under the sink—!?

As I speak, my feet get tangled up, and I lose my balance.

Ai Mikaze: Wha—whoa!?

When Mikaze-senpai hurriedly tries to support me, he also loses his balance, and we go down hard.

After a moment, I realize I’ve landed on top of him.

Ai Mikaze: … Nnnn….

And what’s more….

My lips are pressed directly to his.

Haruka Nanami: ...!?

I jerk back.

Spices and kitchenware are scattered around, and right before me is Mikaze-senpai.

Ai Mikaze: … Hahh… what are you doing? This is exactly why I said I didn’t need any help….

Haruka Nanami: I-I’m so sorry! … Um, here—!

In a panic I reach under the sink and pull out a bottle of dish soap.

Haruka Nanami: Here’s the dish soap.

Ai Mikaze: Now isn’t the time to be worrying about the dish soap.

We stare at one another without moving.

Eventually Mikaze-senpai places his hand on my cheek, and then lightly bumps his forehead to mine.

Ai Mikaze: Did your fever go up again?

He speaks while our foreheads are still touching.

After that, Mikaze-senpai hands me cold medicine and applies another cooling sheet to my forehead.

Neither of us bring up that kiss....

Instead we chat for a while about work-related things.

The sudden home visit comes to an end at last, and Mikaze-senpai prepares to leave.

Ai Mikaze: I’ll be going now. Take care.

Haruka Nanami: Oh, no, don’t worry about me. Please take care on your way home.

I escort him to the front of the dorms and Senpai bows to me graciously.

He is being very proper, but it must have been quite a sight to see in the middle of the street.

Ai Mikaze: At this rate you’re going to make all that caregiving go to waste. Hurry up and return to your room.

Haruka Nanami: But after all you did for me, I absolutely have to see you off.

Reiji Kotobuki: Huh…? What’re you two doing in a place like this?

As we banter, I hear a familiar voice from behind me.

Haruka Nanami: Hm?

When I turn around, I see Kotobuki-senpai staring at us from across the road.

Ai Mikaze: Reiji? What about you, what’re you doing here, on the roadside?

Reiji Kotobuki: Oh, I popped by Otoyan’s place to hang out for a bit and now I’m headed home. Kouhai-chan, what happened to your forehead?

Haruka Nanami: Ah! The cooling sheet!

I totally forgot I had it on. It seems I headed out without taking it off.

Ai Mikaze: Really, what do you think you’re doing…? Is your head not working right from the fever?

Haruka Nanami: I’m sorry….

Observing our interaction, Kotobuki-senpai chuckles and nods his head in some silent affirmation.

Reiji Kotobuki: Ohoho, I see~ Would this happen to actually be a date, but you’re just saying you’re taking care of her?

Haruka Nanami: H-huh!?

My face burns up, as if my cold has come back in full force.

Reiji Kotobuki: Naughty, naughty~ Romance is forbidden for idols, you know~?

Mikaze-senpai’s eyes narrow and his face scrunches up.

He steps in front of me and faces down Kotobuki-senpai.

Ai Mikaze: It was nothing. Sure, we kissed—but it wasn’t a date—she was just feeling sick so I made her some udon and took care of her for a while! Got it?

Reiji Kotobuki: Ohhh, I see, you were taking care of her while she was sick! Udon, aha, I see, that’s delici—eh? EHHH!? K-kissed!?

Mikaze-senpai speaks so fast that it seems Kotobuki-senpai has trouble keeping up, and ends up in a panic.

Haruka Nanami: M… Mikaze-senpai…!?

Everything he said is the truth, but he dropped a major bombshell in there!

Ai Mikaze: Everything we did was completely normal behavior for partners. So it’s nothing, nothing happened, nothing’s wrong!

His words are intense, and as he speaks, Mikaze-senpai takes another step forward right up to Kotobuki-senpai.

Reiji Kotobuki: O-okay, I got it, I understand, so just calm down! I’ll hear you out! Yep, let's do that, please go ahead!

Kotobuki-senpai concedes to Mikaze-senpai with no hesitation.

Ai Mikaze: You’re going to keep it a secret that you met us here. That is all. Problem solved.

Reiji Kotobuki: Okay. Got it.

Mikaze-senpai nods once, satisfied.

Ai Mikaze: Good. Well then, good night. I’ll see you some other time.

Haruka Nanami: Y-yes, you as well.

He spins on his heel and strides off.

Haruka Nanami: Umm… Kotobuki-senpai...?

Reiji Kotobuki: Hahaha, it’s alllll good! I’m famous for my tight lips! They don’t call me Rei-chan the Clam for nothing!

Haruka Nanami: I, uh, I see.

I get a feeling that there is a misunderstanding somewhere.

Reiji Kotobuki: But seriously, that was a real surprise. Details aside, that Ai-Ai was actually taking care of you, huh?

For some reason he looks happy.

Reiji Kotobuki: Far as I can tell, you’re the first he’s done that for. Anyhoo! I’m off now. And, umm. Take care!

He heads off down the sidewalk again, waving his hand as he walks.

Haruka Nanami: The first person… he’s done that for?

For some reason, hearing that makes my heart race uncontrollably.

The next day, I get a text.

Haruka Nanami: Hm, it’s from Mikaze-senpai.

Maybe it’s a message about the schedule?

Good work. This is Mikaze.

Sleep is essential for recovery from a cold.

If there’s anything you need, make sure to contact me right away.

That’s all. I look forward to working with you in the future.

Haruka Nanami: It looks like he really is worried about me.

The message is short and to the point, but this is the first personal text I’ve ever gotten from him.

My chest grows warm.

Chapter End

#ai mikaze #utapri #all star ai

[magicmvx]

What if mer Raz is smol and Lilli reaches into the water and cups her hands around him like:

Fish fish fish

#psychonauts #psychonauts 2 #razputin aquato #mermaid raz #lili zanotto

[ask-from-razputin-aus]

Weird ask but

Who’s the biggest Raz and/or smallest

Butterfly is so far the smallest one. (he's smoll) Mermaid is biggest because of his ability to change size as defense

#psychonauts #psychonauts 2 #razputin aquato #mermaid raz #butterfly raz

[2hoothoots]

"Dion! Dioooon!" Mirtala’s voice rang out across the campsite; clear like a bell, pleading like a kitten’s mew, and shrill in the way only the cries of a five-and-a-half-year-old girl could be. Dion winced. Nona had always said, ever since the day Mirtala had been born, that she had ‘a good pair of lungs’. Dion thought that was a nice way of saying that she was loud. She’d been a loud baby, and now she was a loud little girl, who didn’t seem to have realised that she didn’t need to yell all the time. Especially when the person she was trying to talk to was only a few feet away through an open window. He sighed, fixing his own grim expression resolutely in the mirror. “What is it?” Mirtala’s bells jingled, and in his peripheral vision he could see her stretch up to put her little hands on the edge of the dressing-room windowsill. "I have a question," she announced. "Can it wait?" "No! It's important!" "I'm kinda busy here, Tala–" "But it's the importantest!" This was not a battle he was going to win. Dion put down the pot of pomade, and turned to where Mirtala's huge blue eyes were peering up at him through the open window. "Fine," he said. "What do you want?" Mirtala, with some ceremony, tucked her hands behind her back and tipped her head. "Are crabs fishes?"

i've been off work this week, so finished up this long-neglected wip! a couple years before the events of the games, Dion takes Mirtala and Raz to an aquarium.

#psychonauts #my fic #featuring fluff and sibling banter and the vague melancholic energy that dion inevitably brings to a fic #didn't expect this one to go so long (nearly 6k words! wow!!) but i'm very happy with how it turned out #really wanna set aside more time for writing this year #back when i took public transport to work i'd write a lot on my commute #just getting ideas down on my phone #but my current job i drive to. so obviously i can't do that lol #gotta figure out another way i can fit it in

[lordoftherazzles]

do u know any details of mer au to share? jw cuz i saw that post about ur wips!

I would love to share what little I know about this one!! It's still early in the planning stages, but here are some things I am thinking about for the -> Mer!AU

Thorin is the Prince of Erebor (Erebor never fell), and Bilbo is our resident mer.

I'm thinking we keep this within the Middle Earth races, aside from Bilbo's of course, but the geography is changed because I said so.

Bilbo has been separated from his family for a very long time, trapped and kept within the long lake in order for Thror to harvest his golden scales. Honestly, they look like gold coins and are sturdy, etc.

Skipping rocks is how these two meet, and if you think Thorin doesn't get pelted with one, you're wrong. POW.

Thorin eventually befriends the mer, and they have similar aspirations of freedom, even if they are entirely different situations.

The Ring may play a role in this fic.

Mers learn languages differently, so Thorin is in for a surprise to start LMAO

A quest to return Bilbo home and/or find the freedom he longs for, even if it means Thorin gets in trouble while doing so. Stealing from the king isn't exactly a good thing, huehuehue.

Big shout out to @a-hobbit-named-oni

Ask me about my wips!

#raz answers #dark-gift #raz wips #ask game #bagginshield #this will also be a fun journey #that is going to need a lot more planning but hey #mermaid bilbo gives me life

[miss-caligosto-loboto]

Hear me out,hear me out! Psychonauts as mythological creatures?

Dr Caligosto Loboto- griffin (half eagle half lion)

Crispin Whytehead- Cerberus (three headed dog)

Sasha Nein- harpy (just a male harpy)

Milla- kitsune

Razputin (Raz) Aquato- merman

Lilli- phoenix

Donatella Aquato- mermaid

Augustus Aquato- merman

Mirtala Aquato- mermaid

Dion Aquato- merman

Frazie Aquato- mermaid

Queepie Aquato- merman