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iam3iki8492 · 2 years

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In my opinion the best thing about the devilman franchise is the timeloop aspect of it because it makes every head canon,every ship and every fan fic somewhat canon cause there's this entire world and that there's something for everyone there's obviously a loop where Ryo and Akira are both in love with each other there are ones where Akira and Miki fall in love with each other there are ones where Miki and Miko fall in love and so forth. And because of that unlike other fandoms no one really has to argue about ships and headcanons and I think that's pretty cool!

#devilman crybaby #devilman #miki makimura #Miko Kuroda #Akira fudo #Ryo Asuka

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avikats66 · 1 year

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So since you ship Ryou x Akira x Miki x Miko in your own devilman verse, what is their relationship dynamic like?

Oh wow, well, hmm - so I kind of imagine a universe where Ryou and Akira manage to best Michael and somehow bargain with/convince god for him to restore/reset Earth and let them be to govern their own affairs. How and the exact details I’m still thinking up; after all, not much is known about god in the Devilman verse other that he is callous and vindictive towards his creations/subjects. What would convince this prideful god to demands complete obedience/subservience from and power over his subjects to stop tormenting Satan for his rebellion, relinquish his hold over Earth, and allow those who have defied him and that he deems unfit creations to exist on a world contrary to his design? I don’t really know: maybe he respects the strength/power it took to defeat Michael, maybe he’s lost interest in Earth over more prominent matters he’s got going on in the universe, maybe he’s capable of showing mercy, maybe he’s just gotten bored or frustrated with torturing Satan and doing all the resets/timeloops, or maybe a combination of the above or something else entirely. I’ll work it out eventually.

But on to the Ryou x Akira x Miki x Miko dynamic, which what I’m really all about. So the four of them come together in this timeline (set at about 2020 or where we are now in real life) at the point before the apocalypse starts with Akira and Ryou holding memories from previous loops - in Ryo’s case many many more than Akira given their capacity as an angel. Ryo has changed/learned a lot from all these loops, especially from their time living as Asuka and Jun, and is ready to yielding control over and making compromises/working with both individuals dear/known to him - mainly Akira but also others like Miki, Miko, and anyone Akira will vouch for - as well as humanity as a whole. It’s a huge undertaking to get demons, humans, and devilmen to do-exist, but it helps that only a select few who’ve been directly involved in causing the previous apocalypses from earlier loops hold those memories.

That’s a whole other post though, so now that we’ve got a vague setting, back to the relationship dynamic. Ryou is obviously deeply in love with Akira and now doing their best to respect him and his autonomy and wants more - and they’ve even learned to extend this care and consideration to others. Akira, being the person he is, acknowledges and accepts Ryou’s efforts - partially because he’s ready for peace and doesn’t want to risk starting another conflict, but also because he does still care for his dear friend and to be able to have that relationship again and in a world where Miki and humanity is also saved does bring him happiness. The beginnings of Ryou and Akita’s official romantic/sexual relationship are slower in developing and navigated step by step. Obviously there’s a lot of issues and feelings to work past, but Ryou has learned both patience and humanity, and their fear of losing Akira again helps them maintain respect for what Akira needs/wants and to let things develop on mutual terms rather than trying to force the relationship.

Akira and Miki on the other hand start dating fairly quickly, as the two already have and established dynamic and relationship based off of care for and understanding of each other, and Akira is beyond over-joyed and grateful to have Miki alive and with him given his memories of what’s happened to her in previous loops. During this time, Miki and Miko remain close friends, but with Miko silently angsting over Miki being in a relationship with someone else and continuing to swallow down her feelings. But Miki knows Miko and her feelings, and sooner than later when the time is right Miki breaches the subject with her. Miko confesses her feelings and Miki affirms her own feelings of love towards Miko and her willingness to reciprocate that sort of relationship with Miko. They inform Akira that they’re going to start dating, and he’s kind of taken aback but after Miki confirming that she still also loves him and doesn’t want to end their current relationship he goes along with it fine.

Akira gets on with and knows Miko well, and her can sense her care for and desire to protect Miki. He also knows of both all the very pure and genuine love Miki has, as well as her stubbornness in doing what she wants, and he understands, accepts, and loves her for these things and the way she can love both him and Miko - as well as all the love and care and understanding she holds for others in platonic and familial ways. Akira and Miko make great friends and fellow devilmen/Miki lovers, and Miki is Miki: full of love and spirit and well-able to care for both herself and her two partners.

Meanwhile Ryou: are they jealous of Miki and her close and loving relationship with Akira given the distance and difficulties still between Akira and themself? Oh, absolutely; but, as I’ve said earlier, they’ve really changed and grown a lot. They have the understanding/capacity to consider Akira’s feelings, how he cares for and treasures Miki, and to respect that. They even have come to be able to acknowledge and appreciate Miki herself as a unique individual (eventually even leading into love and romantic/sexual feelings/relations between the two). It’s part of their realization of how unjust and callously they had been viewing humans, and part of their experiences and understandings from living as Asuka/Jun with this new perspective. In fact, Ryou is learning to see all humans in terms of being unique persons rather than pieces in a condemnable and unworthy whole as a species. One of my favourite aspects of this ship is the four of them coming together and really developing mutual love and understanding between each other, and especially for Ryou that’s a really big and special process. They teach and help each other to be people, to be better people, to be the best person/version of themselves that they can be. They navigate this new existence, where they are free to make their own fate and shape their own world. They have hot devilman sex-

Ahem; so yeah, that’s kind of a general gist of the dynamic and universe I imagine for them? Um, not super well formed but it’s an idea which I really love. And that’s one of the main reasons I consume stories: to generate and enjoy ideas that I love and make me happy :)

#devilman #devilman crybaby #ryokira #ryou asuka #akira fudo #miki makimura #miko kuroda #mikimiki #mikimiko #headcanons #ot4 #fandom ships

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jpopstreaming · 7 months

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🆕🎶 「 beast 」 new single by Miko Kuroda is now available worldwide! 🌐 Listen now and discover new sounds from Japan on our weekly updated playlist 🎧 https://spoti.fi/3lgjH73

#Miko Kuroda #Japanese music #Jmusic #Jpop

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pumpkinsong42 · 1 year

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the baddest of the bitches

#devilman #devilman crybaby #akira #akira fudo #miki kuroda #miko #my art #fanart #my babies

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tanuki-yuki · 7 months

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Nothing in the world belongs to me but my love, mine all mine

Doomed yuri is the flavour once again, this time inspired by My love mine all mine from Mitski bcs it really reminded me fo them, made me think about how Miki barely got to confess before she lost her love

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imvriix · 2 years

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" why am i the only one talking? "

𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒓𝒚𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚 - 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕

⋆*･ﾟ: :✧*⋆ ･ﾟ

𝐑𝐘𝐎 𝐀𝐒𝐔𝐊𝐀 — 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐍

— love me back ! ;; oblivious! reader, whether you realise his feelings or not, you will never be able to shake off the feeling of his possessiveness.

𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐑𝐀 𝐅𝐔𝐃𝐎 — 𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍

— love me back ! ;; oblivious! reader, although watching him try to the impossible for your attention and care was amusing, you couldnt help but worry when he gets hurt.

𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐈 𝐊𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐀 [𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐎]

𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐈 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐌𝐔𝐑𝐀

— love me back ! ;; oblivious! reader, she was kind to everyone, so what made you so different? the chances of her liking you romantically were below 1%, or that was what you though.

#ryo asuka #akira fudo #amon #devilman crybaby #anime #manga #ryo asuka x readed #akira fudo x reader #devilman crybaby x reader #miko kuroda x reader

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coralsunspear · 1 year

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Girlfriends

#nana anime #nana manga #nana x hachi #miki x miko #Miko x miki #devilman crybaby #serial experiments lain #Lain x arisu #Arisu x lain #lain iwakura #Arisu mizuki #Nana Osaki #Nana Komatsu #Miki Kuroda #Miki Makimura

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artthemasquerade · 9 months

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I felt like making a series of wedding photos of my Devilman ships, as I can imagine character relationships change throughout the timeloops. The first one is Ryokira from the late 80s (Think the OVA verse)

second is Miki/Miko (Miki Kuroda) from the crybaby timeline of the 2010s (Well in my AU the crybaby verse is heavily edited but I can't really say more until I actually get around to watching crybaby)

third is Akira/Miki being married together in the early 00s

and finally forth is Ryo/Miki from the late 70s

These were all so fun to make and I love drawing clothes from the different decades, and it was fun to make the backgrounds and play with simple rendering. :D

Now I've finished this series, I think I'll work on drawing more art of my Devilman ocs, might take me a while since I've got a commission to work on and I'll need to pace myself XD

Btw if you like what you see and want a commission drop me a direct message on tumblr, instagram or a note on deviantart

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lgbtqmanga · 1 year

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New Releases Oct. 11, 2022

Black and White: Tough Love at the Office vol. 1 by Sal Jiang

Sparks (and fists) fly in this violent yuri love story.

Shirakawa Junko is headed for the top of the corporate ladder in the Overseas Investor Department at the bank where she works–until Kuroda Kayo transfers over from Corporate Sales. Kayo is another all-star employee, and she has a foreign university degree to boot. When Kayo and Junko are assigned to work together, their heated rivalry reaches critical mass. Whether they’re banging each other’s heads or simply banging each other, these two office rivals are ready to go at it!

Black or White vol. 5 by Sachimo

Shige has decided to costar in a drama with Tatara, a veteran actor his boyfriend Shin adores. Tatara has made it known he thinks Shige is only going to drag Shin down as an actor. Wanting to prove him wrong, Shige puts on a performance to rival that of his far more experienced costar. Meanwhile, Shin’s best friend, idol Hanasaki, reveals to the public that the two are friends as a way to pursue his own agenda!

Hyperventilation by Bboung Bbang Kkyu

Myongi and Sunho haven't seen each other since they were 18 years old. Now 27, they run into one another at a high school reunion, and the romantic feelings they had for one another come rushing to the surface. But are they the same people now that they were back then? This book contains sexual content and is intended for an audience aged 18 years and up.

I’m in Love with the Villainess vol. 5 (Light Novel) by Inori, Hanagata

THE LOVE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Rae and Claire saved the world for each other. Now they must fight to keep it. As they lead the united forces of their kingdom and its neighbors against the demon threat, they begin to uncover strange and unsettling secrets. The hidden truth of the world has devastating implications not only for the lives of everyone they hold dear, but their very selves. The thrilling conclusion of the second arc!

FINAL VOLUME

Last Gender vol. 1 by Rei Taki

Welcome to BAR California, a place for you to reveal your true self.

People of different genders, propensities, and sexual orientations gather at a certain chic bar that’s hidden from the public eye. While some come in search of themselves, others step into the establishment looking for sex and love. There are as many sexualities as there are people, and the patrons’ stories intertwine as they struggle to find happiness. A bisexual trans woman who’s been hurt by the voices of others wishes she had a “normal” relationship; a married, middle-aged salaryman secretly expresses his female side; and a pansexual cis guy is on the lookout for true love.

Moon and Sun vol. 2 by Akane Abe

Masahiro, heir to a yakuza syndicate, has been skating through life without much purpose, but that all changers when he meets makeup artist Tsubaki. Attracted not only to Tsubaki's outer appearance but also his inner strength, Masahiro can’t help but be affected by the statuesque beauty’s influence. But he’s not the only one growing from their relationship—the seemingly put-together Tsubaki can’t help but learn a little something too!

Ore Miko vol. 1 by Sakira.

NEED AN EXCORCIST?

Could the random assaults happening around town be the work of a demon? On a dark, rainy night after finishing his part-time job as a bartender, college student Kyou Izakura is attacked by a demon who’s disguised himself as a older gentleman!!

Before being completely devoured, cool but pushy exorcist Shin Goudo intervenes and discovers that Kyou has the power to absorb spirits into his body. However, in order to release the spirit from his body, Kyou must consume semen and Shin offers his help.

Follow Kyou and Shin as their relationship deepens while they work together to stay alive in this all new supernatural erotic drama by SAKIRA!

Shonen Note: Boy Soprano vol. 1 by Yuhki Kamatani

Yutaka Aoi is sweet, sensitive, and loves singing...so much so that he can’t help but be brought to tears whenever he listens to beautiful music. He also has a talent few boys have: He can sing soprano. So when Yutaka overhears his middle school’s choir group perform, he can’t resist joining in. Inspired by the angelic sound of Yutaka’s voice, the choir eagerly accepts him into their ranks. But when Yutaka’s voice begins to change as he enters puberty, the journey ahead will be one of self-discovery and reflection for not only himself, but also for those around him.

SHWD vol. 1 by sono.N

A hardboiled yuri tale about two special agent women fighting supernatural horrors!

Special Hazardous Waste Disposal (or SHWD) has a mission to destroy mysterious biological weapons left behind after the last war. Though SHWD mostly hires men, their newest recruit, Koga, a buff female operative, is assigned to Sawada, the only other woman in the Tokyo branch. Before long, Koga finds herself falling for Sawada, whose powerful psyche compliments Koga’s big muscles. Together, the unlikely duo must confront monsters beyond their wildest nightmares. Office romance meets buddy cops meets yuri horror!

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genshinlover101 · 2 years

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Hi, I hope you’re having a good day! Can I request fem reader who’s clumsy and really bad at their job, but also has a big crush on their boss. For example reader being a new shrine maiden etc. With Yae, Lisa and Hu Tao? So sorry if this doesn’t make sense!

S/O Having a Crush on Their Boss/Her

Character: Yae Miko, Lisa, Hu Tao x gn!reader

Warnings: none

A/n: I wanted so badly to do a shrine maiden for Yae Miko, but for the sake of making this as gender neutral as possible I made reader into an employee for Yae’s Publishing House :)

• You were aware that Yae Miko would’ve been way more popular within Inazuma if her attitude wasn’t so antagonistic. Despite her undeniable beauty, many thought you had a thing for masochism because of how suppressive she was to those who were easy to manipulate.

• You don’t know what possessed you to stay loyal to Miko, maybe it was her cleverness, her charisma, her womanly charm. You’d even pick up extra shifts and work extra hard just for the recognition of the fox lady. Praying that she’d descend Mt. Yougou to visit Inazuma City so that you might see her that day.

• Kuroda, an editor for the Publishing House, very obviously knew how down bad you were for your boss. Every time she visited the store your eyes would fixate on her and it was only her voice that you’d respond to. Your favorite book from the store being “Pretty Please, Kitsune Guuji”, featuring none other than a metaphorical version of your beloved boss.

You had your nose deep into the spine of the newest light novel brought to Yae’s Publishing House, your legs resting on the stand as customers passed your petite little store. The day was particularly slow, with only a few people stopping by to glance at your merchandise during what normally was considered rush hour for you.

So when you heard the bell on the front desk rink once or twice you groaned, not being in the customer service mood. “Yes hello, how many I help you,” you mumbled as you rubbed your eyes from the sleep that plagued you. As your vision grew crystal clearer a certain pink kitsune rested her upper body on the front desk. A goofy smile on her face as you stuttered your eyes popping from the surprise.

Her index finger dragged across the wood, picking up dust along the way. “Not the cleanest I’ve seen this place hmm?” She said analyzing the gray particles on her slender hands, she didn’t look very impressed. “I supposed you’re working another double tonight? Are you burned out yet? You know I could’ve asked our editor-in-chief to lessen your hours,” she tried to make small talk with you.

Your face blushing a hot red, “C-certainly not Lady Guuji,” you shook your head vigorously. Cursing yourself that of all times for Miko to visit was when you felt your lowest. “I’ll clean the front desk immediately,” you bowed, ready to excuse yourself in shame.

That was until she placed a hand on your shoulder from over the front counter, her other arm supporting her weight as she stood on her tippy toes in order to reach you. Her mission was to stop you from leaving her sight. “That’s not necessary little mouse, you seem tired. I’m not so sadistic as to overwork my employees am I?” You felt your brain explode in overdrive as you tried to fathom her touch. Any bystander could see how weak in the knees you were.

• You were the only one with the official title of “Lisa’s Little Helper”. Everyone in Mondstadt thought of you like her little doggy who went out and did chores for Miss Lisa when she was taking her afternoon break. Just hanging around the library 24/7.

• You would run around hog wild in Mondstadt as you tried to pursue overdue books, reorganizing the bookshelves, and restoring damaged books. You were Lisa’s favorite, so reliable, and so hard-working, that it created an opportunity for her to laze around more than she already did.

• Even though you had no coworkers, regulars of the library could very obviously see your crush on your boss. Most notable is whenever you made a scene in such a quiet environment because Lisa had embarrassed you thoroughly. Even a child like Ella Musk could see how brainwashed you were.

You sat in a squeaky chair with your head resting in your arms, absolutely exhausted from chasing down a book thief all day. Someone had stolen a book from the library, making it your job to pursue them even if you had to travel to Snezhnaya.

With a pair of warm arms lowering around your neck, you felt the weight of someone rest on top of your back, taking deep breaths. You knew the only person with the nerve to bother your sleep was nobody but Lisa herself. “Lisa you’re crushing me,” you tried to say underneath her.

“Hmm so grumpy,” she pouted against your back, you could feel her squishy bosom crush your back. “You wouldn’t even cheer up for a kiss on the forehead? I heard your journeys today from rumors while I visited dear Jean,” You raised your body to face her properly, Lisa following alongside your movements, her arm’s grip never relenting from around your neck.

“Ah, so you heard,” you mumbled. Your eyebrows furrowed, you folded your arms, and your cheeks puffed up in frustration, not wanting Lisa to hear about your failures.

“Of course I heard,” Lisa spouted joyously, poking the air out of your cheeks with a gleeful smile. “I knew you could do it for me.” Her eyes were half-lidded, it looked as if she were intoxicated.

“You know something as special as that heroic act you pulled off will get any little lady’s heart-pounding,” she told you. Her seductive raspy voice went through one ear and out the next like a symphony. Regardless of how unreliable Lisa could be as your boss, as a woman she was the only one who could claim your affections. “Don’t be so uptight cutie, let me reward you from time to time Hmm?”

• Honestly, Hu Tao wasn’t the most reliable boss for the funeral parlor. She was 100% capable of running it when she was concentrating and in focus, but most of the time she was the same prankster that Liyue knew her for. Old man Zhongli was grateful for your helping hands at least.

• Hu Tao always had some unorthodox method of advertising on her mind, she’d jump up and down for you to make her ideas a dream come true. From a business standpoint, you wish you could deny every one of her requests as they all seemed crazy. But from a personal standpoint, you just couldn’t say no to her floral eyes begging you, claiming how epic it’ll be.

• Zhongli, the funeral parlors infamous consultant, would always roll his eyes at you two. Even though you couldn’t see it, you two were just two youngsters flirting in broad daylight. Even though it was supposed to be a relationship between boss and employee, the lack of professionalism was very prominent.

Hu Tao pranced around, her were spirits still high even after being rejected multiple times going door to door to advertise the Funeral Parlor. You would always mope around, it was a challenge not to get depressed after so much rejection. Almost none of the flyers you were carrying had been accepted, your feet dragging behind you.

She did a little circle around you, analyzing you up and down with her arms behind her back, everything from your facial expressions to your back aching in pain. “C’mon, look alive,” Hu Tao tried raising you from your slouched position, forcing your arm to wrap around her shoulders. “Hehe- get it? Look alive...? Man, you’re such a killjoy” Her puns certainly didn’t help anybody’s case. She continued on and on, her high-pitched voice rattling through your head.

For a brief moment, you felt like you could see through your blindness, why exactly all of Liyue found Hu Tao a pain. But no matter how much she annoyed you, something about her toothy smile, or her spunky way of talking, or the pep in her step, it put the veil over your eyes thata blinded you from the truth of your crush. “Boss, we still have many houses to go. Please save your energy as you’re the face of this brand.” You tried to reason.

“Pipe down you say?” She inquired. “How can I do that silly,” in fact your statement might’ve just riled her up even more. As if it were rather a challenge to see how long she could last. She began walking faster, her arm wrapping around your waist to get a better grip on you. Her other arm reached out to intertwine with the hand that floated over her shoulder, trying to drag your limp feeling body to pick up the pace. You could feel the cold feeling of her chunky rings in between your fingers.

“How could I manage to do this without you, my trusty attendee,” she mused. You couldn’t manage to find the words to reply to her obviously made-up flattery. “Number one in the Funeral Parlor will always be taken by yours truly, but number one in my heart will always be you y’know.”

#yae miko x reader #lisa x reader #hu tao x reader #genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #genshin x reader #yae miko #lisa minci #hu tao

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angomay · 10 months

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[ID: A screencap from Devilman Crybaby. Miki Kuroda and Miki Makimura are on screen; they are in a child’s bedroom filled with Devilman merchandise. Miki is facing away from the camera, sitting on the floor with her legs crossed. Miko is kneeling next to a wooden beam with her head bowed. She tearfully says, “But I loved you.” End ID]

UM EX SQUEEZE ME

#I WAS PREPARED FOR AKIRA AND RYO. I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THIS #shut up may

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for-the-underrated · 1 year

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👾 AKIRA FUDO “AMON”

👾 RYO ASUKA “SATAN”

👾 MIKI MAKIMURA

👾 MIKO KURODA

👾WAMU

👾 GABI

👾 KUKUN

👾 SIRENE

👾 KAIM

👾 PSYCHO JENNY

👾 MOYURU KODA

#👾;; masterlist #👾;; navigation #devilman #devilman crybaby #devilman x reader #devilman crybaby x reader

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balsemicvinegar · 1 year

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I KNOW NOTHING ABT DEVILMAN BUT I GOOGLED THE CHARSCTERS um. miki kuroda or ryo or psycho jenny (?????) love

points at you. d(vilman disease upon ye.

i've done ryo already he is such a loser <3 (x)

sorry for censoring sum words i dontw ant them to appear in tags but idc if anyone reblogs or sum shit

so like i need to explain that dvmn is a relaly old manga and it got a 2018 adaptation that i... do not like... where they had an original character named miki/miko kuroda ajd uhg... i dont like her. its not her fault shes boring its the writers' fault. she was gay for miki randomly. uhm it wasnt well written.

i guess shes technically the adaptation of miko but like no,m, theyre totally different characters. idk its the c-tie honey natsuko treatment

miko k-wamoto slayed harder..,

uhm this is kurodas design. i dont like her... i do notl ike the masturbation scene either. stare. i do not like the fanservice. or maybe its not fanservice and has some symbolism but it makes me uncomfortable... uhm.

also if ur wondering why she looks different in the other one aka darker skin . stare. demon possession darker skin. raises my eyebrows. sus. sorry this was bashing on the 2018 adaptation i do not like it.... she just shouldnt have been a character i dont udnerstand.

but i dont hate her bc im not passionate about this show or like the idea of improving the show. i think the existence of this show is just :(

meh thoughts on sicko jenny. sick in the head jenny. insane jenny. pscyhogenie. sick animal. beast.

i lik her design in the 2018 adaptation actually shes siggly. if ur wondering thats her human form. i dont think about her much bc shes mostly a plot tool or whaverthe the word is im hungry i want to eat dinnerand im not googlign this shit up so like i dont think she deserves to have some character arc or something or shes wasted potential shes good for what she is and like i want more content of her bc shes fun but i dont actually care if we dont get anything. whatever shes funni.

let me show u all some of her designs wait

i hateee dvmn grimoire (some other spinoff) but her deisng is sooo nice i like it

look shes funky.

also i love her design in dvmn saga (another... spinoff... the spinoffs never end) not bc its like unique or anything i just like seeing her more and she looks sick in the head (probably bc of go n*gais style)

ok anyways lets end this long infodump with an image of homophobia

(thats not jenny btw thats ryo in a wig) ok bye i love autism

#v #might tag this as body horror bc of the sickojenny images #sicklyjennysickojennysickbitch #body horror

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muses-archive · 2 years

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On the cards #4: two to tango

Writer's block refuses to leave him, even with the change of scenery and chance encounter with Xiao a couple weeks ago. Instead, he's lying on his bed at 10AM on a Saturday, notebook open in some futile hope, scrolling through moodboards on his phone out of some desperation. He wants to write something , just what is the problem?

"Hey, you moping again?"

"I'm not moping , Tomo…"

"Okay, creatively barren then. Cafe didn't help?"

A sigh is enough of an answer. Tomo sits by his bed, and they remain in companionable silence for a few moments. "Oh yeah, did I mention I'm picking up kendo?"

"... maybe?"

"Letting you know now. Going in, uh, 30 mins. There's this pair of twins. Really great form, inspiring."

"There's your competitive streak."

"If it gets me good exercise, I call it a win."

"And there's the meathead."

"It's practical learning!"

"Yes, go up to a girl and tell her all about your health sciences thesis, I'm sure she'll be very enamoured with you."

"You never know. I gotta go do my heteronormative stuff to counterbalance your fruitiness."

There's a lot of rattling of bags and keys as he throws together his things. Kazuha doesn't turn around, a smile forming on his face. He followed Tomo to Qixing primarily for economical reasons e.g. rooming together. They're not in the same department, but he's the same reliable guy he grew up with. He adds a mental asterisk: most of the time.

"You're bi." He's not even sure if he can be heard over the din.

"Damn straight!" A hearty guffaw answers him. "Don't wait for me!"

The aimless scrolling continues for a few more minutes, before he starts rolling out of bed. The light yukata is folded away, replaced by a black oversized hoodie for the weather. He picks up the (fake) red-framed glasses, a nice highlight with the maple leaf detailing. Miko might've gotten it to tease him for working at her little bookstore, but it does look pretty cute if he can say so himself. He packs the notebook for more attempts later, as he reads whatever self-publishing author has put up on the shelves. Maybe he should try sci-fi today?

The ensemble is complete with red slacks, good ol’ sneakers and white messenger bag. Comfort levels achieved, Kazuha takes a lazy walk to Yae Publishing, taking some photos along the way. He’s not listening to the podcast in his ear, partially absorbing tips on how not to construct sentences. Not that anyone would know what his dumb sentences are if he doesn’t publish any. He ducks into an alleyway, humming on and off as he fishes out the keys to open the store. He’s not sure why Miko trusts him so much to handle the weekends by himself. Then again, the woman is wholly inscrutable. He’ll see her near closing time almost always with at least three envelopes bursting with manuscripts, and Kuroda lagging behind carrying his own stuff.

To him, this is a little haven where he’s free to read. He’s not about to turn down a generous allowance for doing basically nothing. The bell at the door jingles when he pushes it open, the smell of books wafting out. He puts his things down behind the counter and gets to work, needing to do some dusting, wiping down, and airing out some of the most buried titles - which they’d probably donate eventually - before he can take his pick of the day’s read.

His schedule here is really simple. If he’s hungry, Wanmin’s round the corner. It being the weekend, Xiangling will be around to make him something unique. If Xingqiu’s also there, he’ll follow Kazuha back to pick out a random title or two. He’s only ever seen Chongyun gawk at the shelves, overwhelmed by the choices before him. They remind him of himself and Tomo back in Inazuma, hanging out together. Though their paths will likely eventually diverge, the thought of them always keeping in contact warms his heart.

Tomo tells him his romanticism makes him sound really old at times.

If he has assignments, he’ll get them done here. Miko’s radio deep in the shop will play a selection of her classical music. He’s still waiting to get ambushed by a screamo some day, because he knows she has them. For the time being, he idly flips through a book on aviation history, barely registering the contents. The black and white photos do look like something he could try imitating for his class project, if needed. The ideas are yet to be forthcoming for actual writing, so he gives up for now and looks for something else. The bell pulls his attention before he can get up. Should he be surprised to see Xiao? Yes, probably. He notes that it’s a parka this time, also green.

“Welcome,” he manages. “Anything you’re looking for?”

His blank stare mirrors his inner thoughts. “You… work here.”

“I do, yes.” He tries not to laugh.

“I guess that makes things easier,” he sighs. “Any recommendations on what to get for a really knowledgeable person? Also supposed to give something to the proprietress.” He holds up a pink paper bag.

“Kinda tall order there,” he quips. “As for the stuff, Miko won’t be in until late. I can put it behind the counter though. I’ll be here the whole day.”

“The… whole day?” he sounds incredulous.

“These books aren’t gonna read themselves,” he makes a sweeping gesture. “It pays good if you want in,” he adds, jokingly.

The doubt remains on Xiao’s face as he hands over the bag. “Look around first while I see what’s in stock,” Kazuha suggests. Miko’s arcane tagging system just works, if you’ve been here long enough.

He’s not sure if he’s misheard Xiao grumbling about the premises being a fire hazard as he disappears into the stacks. What would you give to a person of such vague description? Non-fiction feels out of the question. "Xiao?"

He hears some books tumble, and a curse cut short as he pops his head out . "Yeah?" Xiao looks hilarious when flustered. Kazuha decides to keep this thought to himself.

"Help me narrow down search terms."

"... he finds everything interesting enough. He's… he likes curiosities, other worlds, I guess." He sounds so defeated. He sympathises.

"Okay, thanks. Don't worry about clearing up, I'll do that later. There's a way to stack them."

Kazuha commits Xiao's pained expression to his memory, today's shift proving highly entertaining. There are signs telling you to watch your step, but that can only do so much. He makes his choices of several standalone titles, vaguely aware that Xiao has not mentioned how many books he wants. He opts to not bother him again for now, lest a veritable avalanche of literature descends on the hapless man. Atlantis, El Dorado, Gensokyo, Terra, a collection of a traveler's short stories and their motorrad… he decides to take the other copy of the last for Thoma who may enjoy a fellow motorhead's descriptions.

Every book that finds a home here is expressly 'approved' by Miko, but only ever two copies each. As it were, the store is at bursting point. Her pet project magazine and other more commercial titles are at the main street branch and sees far more traffic - and indeed, profit. The smaller, cramped store is much to his preference, even if he does need to carefully locate and extract the books as though he were playing Jenga. Such is the method to her madness.

Xiao's already escaped the stacks, looking frazzled. He can't help grinning, making the other flush some more. The ‘orientation’ on his first day left him in a similar state. How nostalgic. Kazuha lays out the books on the counter for inspection. After momentary hesitation, Xiao asks for a personal recommendation. "For whom?"

"Just in general."

Sounds like it's more for himself, but Kazuha doesn't press further. "Take this one then. It's not very long, about a boy and a girl travelling their world that's gradually losing all names. It's more poignant than sad, I'd say."

If there's no name to attach to a memory, is it truly forgotten?

"Thanks… Kazuha."

"You're welcome! If you need more, I'll be working tomorrow too. Well, all weekends more or less."

"I'll think about it," he nods, finally leaving. He’d paid for all the books without further question.

Words still don't flow on paper. Kazuha doesn't mind.

SPECIAL NOTES

The worlds I mean to reference is:

Touhou Project

Arknights' Terra (because I know no other Terra apparently)

Kino's Journey (itself having namedropped before in GI)

Tabi ni Deyou, Horobiyuku Sekai no Hate Made

#musearchive cards #kazuxiao