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puckyess · 4 years

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4 Times His Teammates Said “I Love You” + 1 Time He Did | Ryder Donovan

S/o to @penaltbox for being my favorite brainstorm partner and encouraging the hell out of me. Inspo: @that-fandom-stuck-in-your-head

I found the one TikTok that was deleted, so now all TikToks are linked!!

** FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED **

Words: 7.5k

Shay Donovan

You weren’t allowed to have favorites on the team outside of Ryder, but if you did it would be Shay hands down. The relationship you had with him was like that of a brother. He watched out for you and you for him. You’d play the part of his best wingwoman and he supported your relationship with his brother. You’d fight like siblings too. He knew exactly which buttons to press and you knew how to get under his skin. You knew each other well and this is what made you two Ryder’s worst nightmare. You constantly ganged up on him with his brother. You were able to get Ryder to do/fall for just about anything and that made you Shay’s favorite secret weapon.

The boys had some free time this weekend and wanted to make the 5 hour drive to Duluth to spend it on their boat since it would probably be one of the last times they would get to do so with the season ramping up. Ryder’s annoyance for you and Shay began promptly at 6 a.m. He was not a morning person and you definitely weren’t either, but Shay insisted you both get up early so that you get to the boat at a decent time in the day. He did not however, set his alarm for 6 a.m., rather 6 p.m. and was awoken by his brother’s shouts to get out of bed. You, on the other hand, were just running late because you thought you could get ready in a shorter amount of time than was realistic. By the time you and Shay make it down to Ryder, who already has the car packed and ready to go, he’s huffy. “You guys know I hate when you tell me a specific time and then you show up late”. “Well this should be a fun trip, right Rizzer?”, Shay speaks up with fake enthusiasm. You shoot Shay a look from the front seat as a signal to shut the hell up, to which Ryder appreciates.

The first hour is pretty smooth, not a whole lot of talking going on in the car. Everyone just appreciating the sunrise, or at least that’s what you thought until you glanced in the backseat and saw Shay sound asleep. At your “awh” Ryder moved his eyes from the road to the rear view mirror. “So that’s why it’s been so peaceful”. Even though you laughed you gave Ryder’s hand that was on your thigh a light squeeze. “Don’t be so grumpy Rydes. This is going to be a fun weekend, I just know it”. He can hear the smile in your voice without even looking over and he knows you’re right, flashing you his signature bright smile of his own.

As if he knew he was being talked about, Shay begins to stir. The quietness is disturbed immediately upon his awakening. He takes over the AUX and the road tripping can finally begin. Him and Ryder argue over music, whether to play alternative or country and which has more of a summer vibe, until finally a summer playlist, containing both is chosen. You pick up your phone, scrolling through some Tiktoks when you find one you just have to send to Shay. You watch as he gets the notification and opens it immediately. The music is broken up, replaced with the voice of a guy saying, “Send this to someone you don't like. You look like a rat, and you are so fat. I would be so sad, if i looked like that”. You’re dying laughing in the front seat at the offended look on Shay’s face and the death glare he’s receiving from Ryder. “I hate you” is all Ryder spits out, as this is a regular occurrence in any car ride. You love how you can get Shay in trouble without even really trying and how Ryder only yells at his brother when you’re the one who sent it to him.

The rest of the ride is spent on the highway and though you love the singing of the boys in the car with you, you’re getting pretty bored just watching the trees pass by so you say, “Let’s play a game!”. They both look at you like you’re 12.

“What? It’ll be fun I promise”. They shoot you skeptical looks, but ask what the game is anyway.

“It’s like license plate bingo kind of. You see the type of car first, you call it out and then you get to punch whoever you want”, you say with a shrug.

“Ooo, I like this game”, Shay says rubbing his palms together as he studies the list of “rules” you sent him: Slug bug, no punchbacks. PT Cruiser, get a bruiser. Tacoma, put you in a coma. Kia, wouldn’t wanna be ya, could be substituted with kia kick. Big truck, no luck. Subaru slap. Jeep jab. Honda hit. Train, feel the pain. You read them out loud to Ryder so that he can play too while he drives. Ryder shakes his head as you continue down the list, clearly not as impressed as Shay was.

“Where do you come up with this stuff, Y/N?”, but he agrees to participate nonetheless.

The rest of the ride is now much more exciting, everyone on high alert for a vehicle that would allow them to inflict pain on a passenger. You and Shay are admittedly better and much more active in the game since Ryder has to also pay attention to the road. As a result, he also ends up taking most of the hits, both from you and his brother. Everytime you would excitedly jab him, he’d give you puppy dog eyes. He was easy pickings, as he was right next to you, but the sad eyes did make you choose Shay as your target a little more often.

After Shay slugs Ryder in the arm for about the fifth “Kia, wouldn't wanna be ya”, his personal favorite, Ryder expresses his annoyance for the game. “This is abuse. I can’t even play right since I’m driving. The only person I can hit is Y/N, and unlike some people”, he says, shooting you a look, “I don’t enjoy hitting my significant other”.

You just roll your eyes at him, but Shay is quick to jump in, unhappy that Ryder is squashing his fun. “Awh can widdle brudder not take a few punches? You’re going soft, Ryder” Shay says with his fake baby voice.

You know it grates on Ryder’s nerves like no other so you call the game quits before they engage in an argument in the small space. Luckily, you were just pulling into the drive leading to where the Donovan’s call home. Getting out of the car Shay throws an arm around you, “I liked our game, Y/N. Very fun. We should play it more often”.

You all enter the house long enough to drop off the bags and pack some snacks for the boat. Shay leans over to you. “Want to see something funny?”, he asks with a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. You raise your eyebrow at him in response. “I’m going to get Ryder in trouble with only four words”, he promises. You use your hand to gesture him on to whatever it is he has planned.

“OW, Ryder! Ryder, stoppp!” He suddenly yells. Ryder, who was digging through the fridge, turns around, giving Shay a confused look as if to say “Wtf”.

“Ryder, seriously! Stop!”, he continues yelling.

“Knock it off!”, their mom calls down from upstairs. Ryder’s clued into what’s happening now, giving his brother a little shoulder check as he passes him to drop the strawberries on the island, just in time for his mom to come around the corner.

“Ryder stop!”, Shay yells at his brother one last time for good measure.

“Seriously, Ryder? You two are home for not even two minutes and you’re already trying to test my patience? And with a guest in the house. Did I teach you boys nothing?”, she reprimands her sons and you have to hide your smile as Shay’s plan plays out accordingly.

She’s bringing you in for a hug then and eventually her two sons the same. She catches up with the boys for a few minutes, but knows they’re impatient to get to the boat so she doesn’t chat for long.

Once she leaves the room you turn to Shay, “I have to say, I’m impressed. I didn’t think it would be that easy.” Shay has a very pleased smirk on his lips.

“I used to do it when we were kids, all the time. Good to know it still works now too, isn’t that right, Rydes?” he says nudging his brother.

Ryder looks back and forth between you and his brother, shaking his head. “You were in on this? You two are the worst. I’m about to drive back to Wisconsin and leave you both here”, he says with a huff.

Unfortunately for Ryder, your antics with Shay weren’t finished yet. While he was driving the boat, Shay had found a Tiktok that he wanted to make, but he needed your help to do it. You were lounging at the front of the boat when Shay brought it to you, explaining his plan.

“Okay, so I’m going to sit over there and just act like I’m on my phone, but I’m actually going to be filming. You’re going to put your fingers like this”, he says showing you his thumb and pointer finger touching like in the ok sign, “and then tell him to do that on his chin, but put it on your cheek. “I want to see how many times it’s going to take him to get it right. My bet is 5. You in?”.

You felt bad goading your boyfriend like that, but you knew he was the perfect victim for it. You loved Ryder, but he was a little slow to catch onto things sometimes. The punchline of jokes? Not his thing, he’d get it a few seconds after everyone else and even then, sometimes you weren’t really sure if he even got it then. It was a wonder how he played such a fast paced game and came up with chirps on the fly. Mulling it over once more, you finally nodded your head. “Yeah, I’m in, but $10 says it’s going to take him 8”, you say with a wink.

Shaking on it, he says, “I like the way you think. You have a deal”.

Getting up you go over to your boyfriend, trying not to feel guilty. “Babe, I have a test for you”, you say as innocently as possible.

“And what is that?”, he asks, giving you his full attention.

“Put this,” Showing him the same sign Shay showed you, “on your chin”, demonstrating for him, placing the ok sign on your cheek.

He narrowed his eyes at you. “Is this a tiktok or something?” he asked, looking around for your phone. Your eyes widened with fake offence as you pointed to your phone over on your towel. “Babe, do you see me filming? My phone is way over there. It’s fine. Just put this on your chin”, you said, once again demonstrating for him.

He looked around, still suspicious. “You’re not going to hit me right? This isn’t another one of your ‘beat up on Ryder games’?” You shook your head, promising him you wouldn’t even touch him. Satisfied with that, he gave in to your request, like he always did and copied your actions. Meanwhile, Shay was trying his hardest to remain camouflage but his brother’s predictable actions were making it very difficult to not start laughing behind his phone.

You repeated your phrase again, “Put this on your chin” and he again mirrored your movements, putting his ok sign on his cheek and looking at you expectantly. You tried again, enunciating the “this” as you watched him. He again put his fingers on his face.

You tried not to laugh, repeating the phrase, trying to clue him in as you said the words slowly this time. “Put this on your chin.” He studied you real hard this time, but copied your placement exactly with his ok sign on his cheek.

You tried again, “Put this,” showing him your ok sign in front of his face and speaking slowly, “on your chin”. This time the poor boy grabbed your wrist, bringing your ok sign to HIS cheek and waiting for your approval. This time you had to let out a little chuckle and as you glanced over at Shay he was ready to bust a gut trying to hold back his laugh. You tried to compose yourself, as you tried to get your boyfriend to do the simple task.

“Put this on your chin” you practically yelled at him. Even though he was frustrated with what you were saying, he had a big smile on his face because you did. “I’m not fucking stupid” he said through laughs and grabbed your hand with two hands this time and put it on his cheek.

You were really laughing now, pulling your hand away and trying one last time. “Ryder. Put this. On your chin”, you said hoping this time would stick. But nope. The boy really put that okay sign on his damn cheek and really had the audacity to look at you to say he did it right.

You took a deep breath, trying to catch your breath from laughing so hard. “On your chin”, and he just looked at you, processing what you just said and then finally his hand shot to his chin and he started laughing again. “Oh shit”. You started cheering for him and Shay practically exploded from his spot as he fell to the floor laughing.

“Oh my god. That was too good. I’m so posting this”, he said between laughs.

“I believe you owe me 10 bucks, Shay. Pay up”, you responded with your hand out.

Ryder once again was stuck looking between you and Shay. “You set me up!” he accurately accused. “And you BET on it? You bet against me?” he said, turning to you. Seeing the hurt look on his face you felt bad.

“Rydes I didn’t bet against you per say, I just guessed how many times it might take you to catch on to what I was saying. I love you though”, you say as you run your fingers up and down his arms at an attempt to get him to forget your tricks. He’s not pleased with your answer though.

Now you’re pouting and sticking your lip out at him, throwing Shay under the bus. “It was Shay’s idea!”.

“Dude!” Shay exclaims.

You roll your eyes at him, “Oh like he didn’t already know”.

The slight frown on Ryder's face had turned into a small smile as he spoke to Shay. “I can’t believe you turned my own girlfriend on me. You guys are being extra annoying today”.

“It’s all for the tiktok, bahd” Shay answers with a shrug, unbothered by his brother’s annoyance.

You, however, spent the rest of the afternoon trying to suck up to Ryder.

“I hate you,” you said as you passed Shay to get to the cooler to fetch Ryder a drink for the fifth time as part of your penance. Shay just grins up at you, shooting you a wink. “I love you too, my little partner in crime”.

---

The following weekend you’re out with the guys, walking down State Street and a car passes your group. Shay glances at you and then Ryder and an ear splitting grin takes over his features. Lightning fast he hits Ryder, yelling “Lamborghini, hit you in your weenie!”.

You stop in your tracks as your boyfriend doubles over in pain and you double over in hysterics. The guys, as well as the few passerbyers who had heard Shay’s outburst look on in confusion.

As you finally catch your breath you move to help your still struggling boyfriend. You crouch down so you can see his face as you ask if he’s okay, but his grimace tells all. There’s nothing you can really do for him but let him breathe it out so you stand back up, high-5ing Shay. “That was pretty good,” you say shaking your head at the memory of what just happened and your road trip from last weekend.

“How long did it take ya to come up with that one?”.

He proudly announces that he’s been thinking of new ones to add to the list all week.

“Whoever introduced you two was a real idiot and is 100% regretting that decision” Ryder says from his still bent over position. You only offer your hand to help him stand straight in response.

Shay’s animatedly trying to explain the game to the boys, who all seem very excited to play. They spend the rest of the walk to KK punching each other and calling out the phrases as they search the cars lining the sides of the road. You walk a few steps behind them with Ryder leaning on you for a little support and maybe some protection.

“You’ve really created a monster now” he sighs, watching the boys.

All of a sudden he strikes your arm. “PT Cruiser, get a bruiser!”, he hollers and takes off down the street, suddenly fine. He looks back at you with a big grin.

You shake your head, “Smooth, Ryder Donovan, smooth” and you chase after him.

Mike Vorlicky

Being in a group chat with a bunch of hockey players meant that you were no stranger to your phone blowing up with nonsense, but you knew the boys were at practice, as Ryder had left for it 15 minutes ago, so when you heard more pings from your MacBook- 4 in a row to be exact - all from Mike, you knew something was up. Quickly checking your phone, your brows knit as you read the succession of messages, confirming your suspicion that something was definitely up.

“Y/N! SOS.”

“I know you have your phone, I NEED YOU”

“Come on my ass is about to be shipped back to Edina”

“Y/N! I hate to do this, but Ryder got hurt on the way to practice. I mean like really hurt”.

The messages didn’t make sense, but the last one had you calling Mike immediately.

“Oh, thank God-'' he answered, but you cut him off, wanting to know about the status of your boyfriend.

“What happened? How is Ryder? Where are you?”. The pause on the other end of the line had your heart beating in your ears, filled with anxiety and worry for your boyfriend, at least for a moment.

When you heard “Dude she’s gonna kill you” from Cole in the background, a different emotion filled you.

“Mike Vorlicky, what the HELL is going on?”

Despite the anger and annoyance in your voice, Mike still let out a smug chuckle. “I knew that last one would get you to answer your damn phone. But listen-“

“So he’s fine? Nothing happened?”, you asked just to be sure.

When Mike lets out a nervous chuckle you release the breath that you had been holding. “I should hang up on your ass right now, Vorlicky. You can’t just-“

“No seriously, Y/N this is important. You can yell at me later, but will you pleaseeee, pretty please with a cherry on top please bring me my practice jersey? I was serious about coach shipping me out. This is like the third time. He’s gonna bench me next game and my parents are coming to this one...”.

Even though you were extremely pissed off at him for even speaking into existence your boyfriend getting hurt, you also couldn’t deny him or any of the boys when they needed your help and he knew that. After letting out a groan you asked him where the jersey was and made your way over to his dorm. Getting into his building was scarily easy and the jersey was surprisingly right where he said it would be, laid out on his bed. It’s a wonder how he forgot it.

Minutes later you were pulling up to the practice facility and walking through the glass doors that led to the rink. You were met with cool air and smiling faces. As the boys noticed you began to head your way, but not before Mike rushed over. He was coming so fast he barely had time to stop before he hit the boards and wrapped you in a hug, “I love you so much right now I could kiss you” he said, taking the jersey from your hands.

“Don’t even think about it, Vorlicky” Ryder called to him as he made his way through the boys to give you a quick kiss before the whistle blew signifying practice starting, just in time for Mike to slip the jersey over his gear.

Owen Lindmark

Cooking had never been your thing, still having never really gained that skill even after living on your own. But as much as it was not your best quality, it was even less so for the boys that were about to come crashing through your door any minute. Dating Ryder was amazing and equally as amazing were the 20 other boys who’ve you’ve come to call close friends that came along with him.

You had just gotten an air fryer and were excited to test it out. You’d been promising the boys you’d cook for them for weeks and figured what better time to do so than now. They had a big rematch coming up that weekend against PSU anyway so you had told Ryder to invite some of his teammates over for a mini team dinner.

You were pretty impressed with yourself you had to admit. Not only had you planned a full meal and dessert, you had timed it perfectly so that everything was just about finished as you heard the door unlock.

“Honey, I’m hooommee”, Shay called out as he dropped his bag in the pathway of the others behind him.

You shook your head as you stirred the marinara sauce one last time, knowing that the pet name bugged Ryder even though it was a movie line and he was so obviously joking.

“Dude it smells amazing in here”

“What’re we having?”

“I’m starving”, and curses could all be heard as the crew continued to pour into the apartment, the noise and chaos level instantly rising.

You cleared your throat and very dramatically tapped your spoon on your wine glass to gather the boys’ attention.

”First of all, everyone is to wash their hands before eating, please and thank you. Salad is already on the table. You guys can grab yourselves a plate, the pasta is over by the sink, the sauce is right next to it and then the chicken’s already been cooked in the air fryer so it follows your guys’ diets (kind of) and parmesan melted on it so you can just put that on top of the pasta. I have bread in the oven that I’ll bring out when it’s done. Oh and dessert for when everyone’s ready”. You barely finished your spiel before the boys were shoving each other to get in line.

Shay of course had battled his way to the front of the line, claiming seniority, Mike unsurprisingly behind him, followed by Lex, Owen, Cole and Dylan. For being as large as Dylan was, he had been easily bullied to the end of the line. Ryder stuck around, wrapping you in a hug and placing a sweet kiss on your forehead.

“You’re amazing for doing this. The boys haven’t shut up about it all week. You really went all out didn’t you, babe?” He asked with a proud smile on his face. His little acknowledgment coupled with how proud he looked made you blush. You knew he wasn’t lying about the boys obsessing over this meal either, as you had been receiving daily texts from each of them about it.

“Don’t get too excited, you haven’t even tasted anything yet. What if it’s the worst Chicken parm, you’ve ever tasted in your life?” You asked pouring on the dramatics. It was your first time using the air fryer after all, you had no idea how it would turn out and you were a bit nervous, but had warned the boys ahead of time that they may be ordering pizza instead.

Your disclaimer was countered by moans coming from the living room, a chorus of them actually. You and Ryder share a look before busting out laughing. “I guess there’s your answer for ya.” He replies, followed by a “No one better be having sex out there”.

You shoo him along so that he can eat with his friends and you can grab the bread out of the oven. After slicing it and putting it on a plate you deliver it to the vultures in your living room and prop yourself on the armrest of Ryder’s chair, rubbing his back as he eats.

The boys don’t stop gushing about your cooking as they continue to shovel food in their mouths. “This is seriously- the best meal- no, scratch that- food- I’ve had in months”, Cole says between bites.

“Hey, I just made you that really good burger and Mac cheese thing last week and you gave it 5 stars!” Dylan protests.

You and Owen lock eyes and instantly start laughing. “Dyl, did it come in a red box with a glove on the front?” You ask, still giggling. His eyes light up, happy that you recognize it and he nods.

“Dude, that’s Hamburger Helper!” Owen howls.

“And an insult to Y/N’s cooking”, Alex chimes in.

”Even this salad is more gourmet than Hamburger Helper, sorry bro”, Cole adds.

At this point everyone’s laughing at Dylan’s expense, yourself included. He’s immediately apologetic, hoping he didn’t truly insult your cooking, which just eggs the boys on assuring him that he did in fact insult you.

“Yeah, that’s like comparing Wayne Gretzky and Shay in hockey, but for cooking”, Mike chirps, feeling the need to get involved.

”Nice one Mikey. Dylan fucks up, but let’s roast Shay”, Shay retorts.

You grin, loving being a part of the relaxed banter that’s going on but wave them off. Dylan attempts to grumble out his weak defense, claiming that he’s from Canada and didn’t know about Hamburger Helper, just making you giggle harder.

“Okay, okay okay,” you say in an attempt to calm yourself and the room down. You were wiping tears from your eyes. “I’m going to go get the dessert so you clowns can get out of my apartment”.

Once in the kitchen you opened the cabinet by the fridge and felt around for the plate of brownies you knew you’d hidden up there so that the boys, specifically your boyfriend, wouldn’t pick at them before dinner. You felt a pair of hands on your hips. You had expected it to be your boyfriend, but with his body slightly pressed against yours you knew it wasn’t him.

“Need some help?”, the voice confirmed your thoughts. It was Owen.

“Please”, you said, accepting his offer.

He grinned once he pulled the plate down and saw the perfectly proportioned brownies. You had used one of those baking pans that had individual brownie shapes so that every piece had four edges, the best part and Ryder’s favorite.

“I love these, my mom makes ‘em like that. Smart to keep these hidden from Ryder”, he says with a wink. Though his tone is light toward the end with the little chirp at Ryder, you don’t miss the hint of sadness that laced his voice in the beginning. And he doesn’t miss the look of concern on your face either.

He puts the plate down and leans against the counter. “I love you for doing this tonight. I really can’t thank you enough. I needed this, the laughs, the home cooked meal”, he confesses, running a hand through his hair.

“Missing home a little extra?” You ask, knowing exactly how he feels.

”You could say that. I know the guys and I don’t say it enough, but we love you and appreciate how much you take care of us and keep us sane. What you do for Ryder is obvious, but stuff like this that you do extra for us, making a really good dinner and dessert, always letting us hang out here, and come to you with our problems. It means a lot”.

Not really having words for all that he’d just told you, but wanting to show him you really did care for him too, you wrapped your arms around him and gave him a good squeeze.

“Awh, O. I don’t know what to say. You and the boys are like family to me. You always have a second home here.” The sentimental moment is broken up by Mike shouting about dessert and someone telling him to shut up and stop being rude.

“I guess we better get this dessert to the boys so they can get out of your hair”, he says grinning.

Before letting him go you pull back and say, “Tell your mom I said hi when you call her later”. He picks the plate of brownies back up and you make your way toward the rowdy group occupying your living room.

“You know me too well. But I surely will let her know. I’m sure she’ll appreciate you keeping me alive”, he says with a chuckle.

Dylan Holloway

Everyone was huddled close together in the dimly lit booth as it came down to just Roman and Dylan, each with two fingers on the full pitcher in the middle of the table. The two boys were half out of their seats staring each other down. Roman had a smug smirk on his face as he watched Dylan sweat it out across from him, his mind clearly going a mile a minute.

The guys had just swept PSU and were definitely feeling themselves tonight. They decided to opt for the usual celebratory tradition of KK and Fingers, a game that Dylan was historically terrible at.

It was Dylan’s turn and he was still shaking his head, both at himself for overthinking a simple drinking game and at Roman who was continuously chirping him, which was not helping him decide. He only hoped the winning luck of the night would continue as he began counting down, “Three, two, one - two!”, Roman yanked one finger off the pitcher as Dylan left his two on, for a total of three fingers.

The team erupted as Dylan threw his hands in the air, “Fuck! I always lose this stupid, fucking game”.

“Drink up, bud!”, Roman chided him, pushing the pitcher closer to him on the table.

Dylan just groaned and stared at the full pitcher of unknown alcohol with a grimace.

“Come on, Dyl, you know the rules. Or at least you should, you’ve lost enough times by now”, Shay chirped from behind him. You felt bad for the guy because Shay wasn’t wrong. Of the handful of times you had watched and played the game, Dylan had lost all but maybe twice.

“You’re right Shay, maybe we should spice it up this time, eh? What do we think boys?” Mike suggests with a devilish smile and a rub of his palms. You don’t miss the look that he shares with Roman and your eyes narrow in on the boy who suddenly has a mischievous look in his eyes.

“Dylan, I dare you to go ask that girl for her number”, he challenges, nodding toward a blonde who had been looking over at the group.

Following his gaze you notice who exactly it is that he pointed out and you choke on your drink. You want to stop Dylan before he makes a fool out of himself, but he easily gulps down the pitcher and quickly makes his way over to the girl waiting for him. You can’t get your words out as you’re sputtering and coughing from your drink.

When you finally catch your breath you give Roman a shove and hiss “Fuck you Ro. What’re you doing? Aren’t you talking to that girl?”. He doesn’t answer, just shrugs as he watches on with a smirk plastered on his face, as if he knows exactly what is going to happen. Ryder nudges you in confusion at your little interaction with his teammate. Moving closer to him you filled him in on the unknown drama that was going on. “I played wingwoman for Roman a couple weeks ago so that he could pick up this same girl. Of course with my 90% success rate, he got her and I guess kept her. He’s been texting me about her all week”.

Suddenly understanding, he said “You have to go save D. The guys will never let him live this down” and you knew he was right. A freshman hitting on an older guy’s girl? Even if it was on a dare and even if her and Roman were just talking, it would still be embarrassing on Dylan’s part and chirp content for the team for the weeks to come.

So with a flip of your hair and a pat to Roman’s head you strode over to where Dylan was flirting with the blonde. He was really pulling out all the stops trying to earn this girl’s number, you had to give him that. You would even say that it actually appeared to be going well, but judging by the look that was on Roman’s face, you knew it wouldn’t end well.

“Excuse me, mind if I borrow him real quick? No? Ok great, thanks! I’ll give him back in just a second!”. You gripped his wrist with both hands and all but yanked him off the barstool until he was stumbling toward you, very confused. Once you were a few feet away, you steadied him with your hands. He was clearly annoyed with you.

“What the hell, Y/N? what’re you doing? I need to get back there. Things were actually going well”.

“And you will, D just listen to me for a second. I’m trying to help you here”.

“Help me? What’re you talking about?”.

“Dylan, Roman’s been talking to that girl for weeks now. He’s just trying to set you up because he knows she won’t actually give you her number because she’s with him so you end up coming back to the table empty handed and the guys can chirp you for weeks about trying to get with Roman’s girl”.

Realization washed over his face as he took in the situation. He glanced over at Roman’s now displeased but confused face and back at the girl who was seemingly waiting for him to return to the empty seat next to her.

“Whatever you have to do to get that number Dylan Holloway, do it. You can’t come back to that table empty handed, got it?”. He nodded furiously. “Good boy. Now go charm her pants off!” And with that you sent him on his way and returned to the group, all of whom were looking at you with quizzical faces.

You just shrugged it off saying, “He just wanted me to check if he smelled like beer. I guess she hates that stuff, only drinks Claws.” With that, Roman shoots you a look, knowing that was a load of shit and a jab at him. Her hatred of beer and love for white claws had been one of the many “fun facts” he had shared with you over the week. His attention turns as the guys erupt once again in cheers as the girl plants a kiss on Dylan’s cheek and sends him back to your table. He smiles victoriously as he stops in front of Roman. “I hope you don’t mind sharing your girl, she seems pretty into me”, he says and drops the napkin with her phone number on it on the table in front of Roman. The “ooos” and hollers from the boys are golden, but pale in comparison to the look on Roman’s face. Ryder fist bumps him and Dylan leans in to give your hand a squeeze, “I love you so much for that. The look on his face? Totally worth it. Really saved my ass. I owe you”.

Ryder wasn’t one to overuse the phrase “I love you”. He held great value in those three words and reserved them for times when it was just the two of you or for when the moment deemed necessary. Today was one of those moments.

He had gotten home from practice early to find you out on his balcony wrapped in a blanket and your computer on your lap. He hadn’t thought much of it as he shed his bag and went to wash his hands and make a snack, but the door was cracked and he could hear a familiar laugh that wasn’t yours. He stopped what he was doing and listened for it again. As if right on cue, his baby sister’s laugh found his ears. He debated with himself whether or not he should make his presence known. Curiosity eventually winning out, he decided to wait it out and see what his two favorite girls were talking about. He’d be lying if he said his heart wasn’t ready to burst at seeing you voluntarily FaceTiming his baby sister.

His snack forgotten, he sat himself on the couch out of view and just listened and watched. He watched the way your hair fluttered with the breeze, how you focused your attention on the girl on the screen, and nodded your head in agreement with whatever she was saying. He watched the way you interacted with his sister and couldn’t deny the feeling that was consuming him.

Even more so he watched the way Clara’s face lit up as you spoke to her, a look he’d seen before, one she reserved for her big sister. It was one of idolization, respect, and love. He watched her smile and her head tip back as she laughed with you like you were her best friend. Mostly he watched as the two of you had become part of each other’s lives in a way he hadn’t even known.

He listened to the beautiful sound of your laugh mix with hers and to the way both of your voices were so animated with each other. He listened as you spoke naturally with her, your kindness genuine instead of just treating her as some little kid. He knew she hated that but had unfortunately had her share of heartbreak by girls who only used her to get to him. He hated that he had caused her any kind of pain, but loved that you had somehow found a way to right his mistakes. He knew right then and there that he’d never take you away from her and she wouldn’t let him.

His thoughts were broken up by you reentering the apartment.

“Having a stalker moment there, Rydes?”, you ask him with eyebrows raised.

Deflecting the question, he clears his throats and instead asks what you guys were talking about. “Didn’t you hear the whole conversation already?”, you tease him. He just rolls his eyes, so you divulge as you pull stuff out to make dinner.

“We were just checking in. She was making sure you were still alive, taking your vitamins, treating me right, our usual. She had some drama stuff, but V is busy getting stuff ready for the baby so she didn’t want to bother her. Oh, and we’re planning your sister’s baby shower! Well, Clara’s in charge but she wanted my opinion on some details”.

The feeling he had before as he watched you two only intensified as he discovered what you had actually been talking about.

“What do you mean your usual?”

You’d stopped adding ingredients to the pot as you looked up at him, realizing you had just let Ryder in on something you hadn’t planned on. “Um. You know how you FaceTime Clara every week? Well uh, I do too...that’s ok right? That’s not like weird?”

He processed the information you had just told him. You actually took the time out of your busy life to get in touch with his sister every single week and were asking him if that was ok? He hadn’t even imagined you doing that, but you continued to amaze him. The smile he gave you was so warm and full of love. “Of course that’s okay. I love that you do that and I’m sure she does too. I saw the way she looks at you, you know. The same way she looks at V.” Your heart swells at his comment and you almost start crying on the spot.

“So she’s coming to you with drama huh? Anything I should know about?”. You laugh and default to “girl code” aka Ryder doesn’t get any deets. Despite his best efforts, including puppy dog eyes, he doesn’t get anything out of you.

“You’re MY girlfriend, you can’t let my sisters convert you to their side already” he whines.

You laugh and respond with “Well would you rather I convert to your brother’s side? I’m sure Shay could pitch a good argument.” He looks offended that you’d even say such a thing and grumbles out a “no”.

After he’s decided he’s done pouting he comes around the counter and wraps his arms around you from behind, nuzzling his face into your hair. “You told Clara I treat you well, right?” He questions, still thinking about your conversation with her. You’re surprised to detect nervousness in his question and that he’d even ask that. Turning in his arms you answer him, wanting him to see the conviction in your face when you say “Of course, Ryder. You don’t ever need to doubt that, baby”. He looks relieved and surprises you again with a confession.

“Good. I want Clara to see how she should be treated. What good love looks like, a healthy relationship, ya know?”.

Tears start form in your eyes and it takes you a second to find your voice. Eventually you do and you gently pull his face down to yours, running your thumb over his cheek. You melt over the way he leans into your touch. Even though your voice is barely above a whisper, it’s strong as you tell him, “You’ve made me the happiest I’ve ever been. You show me what love is everyday and inspire me to be better for you and for me. You are such a role model to her Ryder. When she looks at us, I promise you all she will see is genuine, pure love.”

His heart is beating so hard as he absorbs your words. He takes your wrist and pulls your hand to his lips. He kisses your palm then cups your face in his hands, bringing your foreheads together. His own eyes are glassy and throat thick as he tries to put what he’s feeling into words that will convey the same amount of strength and emotion. “Every time I think ‘she can't get any better’ you surprise me. Well not surprise me because I’m not surprised you get better, but- fuck! I can’t get my words out right now.” He can feel you smiling and takes it as a sign to keep going.

“What I’m trying to say is you keep loving me and showing me that you love me in new ways that I didn't even know existed. You’re always taking care of me before games, after games and practices. Even just asking about practice and my day and coming to my games, waiting up for me after road trips. The highs of winning and you right there with me are amazing, but what I love most and what are even better are when you sit there and watch us lose, me lose and you just know how to deal with me afterwards. I can’t tell you how much it helps me to have you hold me after a game or offer dessert or just let me bitch about it. The lows are better because you still want me after. Like even if I couldn’t play hockey anymore, you’d still want me. You still believe in me to do better next game. You inspire me to be better. Off the ice especially”, he takes a deep breath then and as badly as you want to say something, you don’t interrupt him knowing he still has more to say.

“You’ve shown me what it feels like to be loved. Really, truly loved. You take care of my friends, regardless of what they need and you do so out of the goodness of your heart. Watching you with my family, I can’t ever imagine you being anywhere else but a part of my family, Y/N. The fact that my favorite people in the entire world love you makes me so happy I can’t even describe it. You’re FaceTiming my baby sister of your own free will, planning a baby shower with her for my other sister? You keep up with Shay and get Boden out of his shell. I couldn’t dream it up better if I tried. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but somehow I was blessed with you and I swear to you, promise you I will never stop loving you, ok? I love you with my whole heart and then some, Y/N”.

The tears are absolutely streaming down your face and into his hands and his into yours. The moment had gotten so intense and so fast. These were rare between you two, preferring to keep the relationship light and fun, but occasional moments like this where you attempted to pour your whole heart and soul into each other would occur and you were left breathless every time. But of course, you couldn’t resist a good chirp.

“You’re gonna have a hard time topping that for a proposal, Donovan”.

#ryder donovan #shay donovan #owen lindmark #cole caufield #dylan holloway #roman ahcan #mike vorlicky #rydesdono

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aros001 · 3 years

Text

First time read through light novel vol. 4. Random thoughts.

So this is where mayonnaise came into the story. I still remember my sheer utter confusion over the mayo bath in the Memory Snow OVA, having no memory of the anime ever bringing up any of Subaru's love for the condiment. As a positive for him at least, it's cool that Emilia apparently really likes it too and that he's the one who figured out how to makes the stuff in this new world.

“The lad’s eyes interested me ever so slightly. They said he has crossed the boundary of death. Many come close to the line, stop, and draw back, but...” Wilhelm lowered his lids in thought as his words trailed off. “Those are the eyes of one who has crossed once, no...several times, and returned. I know of no such being. You might say I was compelled by curiosity.”

How would he know what the eyes of someone like that look like if he's never met anyone like that before Subaru?

“Listen and be amazed, look and be astounded! Behold, the ultimate combat technique—RoSciPer!!”

“What is that...thing?! You did not inform me such a hand was possible!”

“Shut up! I didn’t mention it, but it’s your fault you didn’t ask! That part is rock, this here’s scissors, and over there is paper! In other words, my hand’s beaten your rock!”

That is so freaking petty. But on the other hand, maybe Priscilla would respect him for it anyway? I could see her having no problem with winning however you can, even if it's by being unfair and tricking your opponent, as long as you keep your own pride.

“—But I wonder what Master Roswaal is thinking?”

She inclined her head slightly as she voiced her doubts about the instructions her master had left that morning.

“He said, ‘Do not stand in Subaru’s way no matter what Lady Emilia may say to you.’”

It was as if he’d anticipated Subaru’s actions and had instructed her accordingly. She also wondered why he was valuing Subaru’s opinion above Emilia’s.

Hmm...now that's curious.

“That’s right, bro. It’s been eighteen years since I got summoned here. I lost my arm around the same time... Right around the age you are right now.”

Just like that, Al confessed to Subaru that he’d experienced the same situation.

...Wait...WHAT?! If this was in the anime then I completely forgot about it because holy sh*t, Al is from another world too?! And according to him he arrived 18 years ago and was about the same age as Subaru is (and Subaru is roughly 17, isn't he?). No idea if he can Return By Death and if he can he might have the same penalty for trying to talk about it as Subaru does, so he obviously couldn't talk about it, but this is a huge deal. It's a great bit to add to Subaru's story, showing off what could have happened to him and what he could still eventually become. It probably deepened his obsession with Emilia a little bit too, since she's the main difference between him and Al.

“Unfortunately, Lady Emilia, this is not the time or place for you to argue. If all the facts become clear, Subaru will be staying here...for a very, veeery long time.”

Okay, Roswaal f**king knows and is planning something.

They talk about a Dragon Tablet handed down by Holy Dragon Volcanica, which has given predictions and warnings about great disasters that did actually occur. Naturally, my first thoughts are that this Holy Dragon (or whoever wrote the tablet) might have had abilities like Subaru's RBD and that he'll have his own role to play.

Felt might be a long lost princess of the royal family that was wiped out in a strangely specific plague and Subaru met both her and Emilia first in this world because she stole for her the thing that proved she was a worthy candidate for being a Dragon Maiden. It kind of feels like the Witch of Envy is like the Force from Star Wars with how well she made the destinies and chance encounters line up.

I never really liked Ferris that much, and not because he's a cat-boy trap. It's more the way he talks. I like things that are cute but I can't stand things that are cutesy.

While Crusch's idea for the future of the kingdom is nothing that should be rushed, and most certainly should be done with care as not to piss off the dragon, I get where she's coming from, that they are too reliant on the dragon's blessings and not doing enough for themselves. It's a classic argument I've seen plenty in superhero stories. There's no denying the heroes have done a lot of good but when the people become too dependent on them and if/when the heroes can't help anymore, what's going to happen then? It's one of my favorite plot points in My Hero Academia, where common citizens thinking "It's fine, a hero will show up and take care of it." and not helping where they should have eventually gave rise to one of their world's most dangerous and infamous supervillains.

“A-and now you make threats. These words and this show of force convey, ‘Do as I say or you shall be an icicle.’ If this is not blackmail, what is...?!”

Then, Emilia wholeheartedly affirmed his suspicions.

“—Yes, I am threatening you.” She continued, “I shall make my case to the esteemed members of the Council of Elders once more. My name is Emilia. I spent a long time in the Great Forest of Elioor, the World of Eternal Frost, and am served by Puck, the Great Spirit that governs fire mana. I am a silver-haired half-elf. The people of the nearby villages called me...”

Emilia paused, surveying the faces of the Council of Elders on the dais.

“...the Freezing Witch, born in the Frozen Forest.”

Holy sh*t, I am way more into Emilia's character here than I was in the anime! That was awesome! Her whole speech after too and her finally being given some respect. It's not like she didn't have any personality or agency in the anime. It's not like she could have just been replaced by a sexy lamp and nothing would be different like you could with the heroines of other series. But she definitely feels like she has more here, like there's more fire to her. Like hot damn, even I want to see her become queen now!

...And then Subaru opens his mouth again...and promptly inserts his foot.

Yeah, I suppose Subaru white knighting for Emilia in front of all the actual white knights is probably one of the more infamous scenes of the series, huh? It's one of those weird things where you feel you know what Subaru should have done but at the same time, if he hadn't snuck into the castle, we wouldn't have gained his relationships with Priscilla and Al or have seen as much of the meeting as we did. It's good for the story and eventually it's good for character development but it's hard not to wince a little at everything Subaru does in this part, especially because he himself reflects and feels guilty at a few points about how badly he could have messed everything up for Emilia and Roswaal.

I've thought a lot more about Subaru's white knighting ever since I watched the anime, mostly because of characters like Motoyasu from Rising of the Shield Hero and Mitsurugi from Konosuba; two LN series I read before this one. Chivalry isn't a bad thing. Trying to stand up and fight for someone you care about isn't a bad thing. But like Emilia points out, she never asked Subaru to do any of that for her. She didn't want him to do any of that for her. In fact, he deliberately went against what she did ask of him to go and do all of that. With these three characters, the problem with their white knighting is that they're doing it with no regard to what the person they're white knighting for actually wants. In many cases, like Emilia also points out, Subaru wasn't really doing it for her. He was doing it for himself. To make himself feel better. To place himself closer to her. And she's not exactly wrong that their relationship seems to be entirely just two people repaying their debts to each other, even though she has no idea what debt Subaru feels he owes her.

The ironic thing is, if Subaru wanted to get closer to Emilia and have value to her, he already found a way to do that in one of his previous lives. On his second or third loop in the mansion arc, Puck told him that Emilia doesn't have a lot of experience with friends and really wants some. During that loop, Subaru and Emilia are just hanging out, enjoying each other's company, laughing. It's made clear she does genuinely like having him around. Just being her friend was enough for her and there's still plenty of ways her friend could have helped her through such a trying time, without embarrassing her in front of everyone in the castle or making her think it's her fault he keeps getting hurt.

I think Subaru's big problem, and what he needs to grow out of, isn't that he's an idiot (though he can certainly do dumb things) but rather that he's immature. Not immature like he's a child (though sometimes...) but immature in that he hasn't developed enough to properly react to certain situations. He was a shut-in who constantly skipped school. He doesn't have a lot of experience with other real people and doesn't know how to properly interact with them, defaulting too often to what he's seen in fantasy stories. I think that's a problem both he and Rem share to an extent. They don't know what it means to be in love. That's not to say that Subaru's love for Emilia isn't real or that Rem's love for Subaru isn't real. Rather that they don't know what to do with it. They don't know how they should act towards the person they're in love with or how to show their love, so too often they default to either obsession or devotion or both. And so if they want to have a healthy, happy relationship with the person they love, they have to acknowledge and address their own immaturity and basically grow up a bit.

Nice little detail that Julius beat on Subaru to keep any other knights from going after and possibly killing him...and because he was at least a little annoyed by Subaru's words. He's a good guy...but still human.

And again with Roswaal working things behind the scenes. He gave orders for Subaru (or at least a servant bearing his family crest like Subaru would be) to be allowed to pass into the castle. I imagine he did have a back-up plan for if Subaru never showed up but the man definitely knows or suspects something about Subaru and/or what's going on with him. I mean, benefit of the doubt, if he doesn't know about RBD, from the outside it does look like Subaru has some kind of prophetic abilities, as twice now he's known about future events that would have destroyed everything Roswaal's been working towards and used that knowledge to prevent them. Making things easier for Subaru to act just in case he had another "vision" would have been in Roswaal's best interest. He might be thinking Subaru is like the Holy Dragon, thus Roswaal has his own personal Dragon Tablet. But I can't help but feel things go deeper than that. At the very least I'm glad Subaru's outburst and Roswaal trying to smite him with fire was apparently part of the plan. 1, Roswaal is just a really fun character and I don't want to lose that, but 2, he definitely seems like a guy you don't want to have against you.

Original Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Re_Zero/comments/gontd5/novels_first_time_read_through_light_novel_vol_4/

#re:zero #random thoughts #reddit repost

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1-lightofjustice · 3 years

Note

Has Fushimi ever said "my king is the blue king" in front of Munakata or in any circumstances beside in the sakura and liars story? I haven't caught up to all of the side materials yet. Thanks

Well, the closest we have about him saying it in front of Munakata is on Days of Blue Chapter 4: Trace

I know that he said “our” instead of “my” and maybe he said it on sarcastic way, but I’ll take what I can get. Either way, the fact that he included himself as “OUR” is a big step for him.

About him admitted that Munakata is his King, he already acknowledged multiple times that Munakata is a genius who has ridiculously high capabilities that surpass him, and that makes him “alright” to be Fushimi’s superior.

What is this new king thinking? Fushimi suddenly wondered. The word "genius" isn’t enough to describe him. On top of his extraordinary intelligence, perhaps he holds ambition and stratagem as well. Or maybe not. That was just an assumption.

Lost Small World : King’s Dagger

It was probably just Munakata being Munakata. Having finished everything that his duty demanded him to do with that ever nonchalant air, he’d arrived here even faster than Fushimi himself. Those ridiculously high capabilities were what made him Fushimi’s boss alright, but sometimes it was just so very annoying.

Case Files of Blue, chapter 4-1

And no matter what he said, he has a very high opinion about Munakata and even as far as sees him as somewhat “his guide”

But maybe he shouldn’t have left the saber behind, after all? No, if you decided to do something, you must do it thoroughly, no half-assing - that was how you did it, too, no, Captain?

Subaru, Eldest Son and His Best Friend (the translation is “his” and I don’t know the raw, but I think word “their” is more suitable for that sentence, because Subaru is somewhat Fushimi’s best friend when he was on Scepter 4)

Perhaps Munakata noticed the spies inside, and took this into consideration. So He brought in an outsider like Fushimi, and was openly partial towards him, in order to smoke those dissidents out of their den. … Guesses like this ran wild in Fushimi’s mind. Looking at this king, those conspiracy theory on internet don’t seem that impossible.

Lost Small World : King’s Dagger

But the Blue King boasted that he’s going to create them himself. He didn’t think it’s boasting at all, and said it nonchalantly like it’s a matter of course.

“Amazing…” To be fascinated this wholeheartedly, as long as Fushimi could remember, had only happened twice in his life.

https://messier-45.tumblr.com/post/123729164515/translation-k-lsw-period-3-8

(I really like this segment because we saw how Fushimi gained his control and inner peace after reciting Munakata’s word).

“Tch,” Fushimi clicked his tongue quietly. “That’s not like him.” “Eh?” “I’m saying that he’s being pathetic. No matter who his opponent may be, that guy’s just ‘human’, right? Yet this time, he keeps getting pummeled one-sidedly. A king like him,” Fushimi said it as if spitting out.

https://chilly-territory.tumblr.com/post/153350914500/k-case-files-of-blue-2-chapter-1-part-1-out-of

Compare that with how he looks at other Kings, like Mikoto and Hisui. Even though he acknowledges their power, but they’re nowhere as high as Munakata in Fushimi’s eyes.

“What a pain. It’s been ringing forever. Hang it up.” Suoh pointed to the bar counter with his chin.

If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be nice to end your pain earlier by getting it yourself? Are you a king or what? Oh wait, you are.

https://messier-45.tumblr.com/post/113514553742/mission-2-part-1

“There’s lots of guys like that. “I’m the Red King’s buddy”, “I’m his favorite”… Oh well, those who joined Homura had cleared the installation, and to people who know nothing they do look credible, I guess.“

With that, Fushimi threw an accusatory look at Suoh’s back, the man in question still just sitting idly behind the counter.

K R:B chapter 3-1

Back when Hisui was a presence lurking on the other side of the internet and Fushimi didn’t know what he looked like, he tended to imagine the Green King as having a villainous air about him, but after he had met him in person, “childish” had became the descriptor also coming to mind.

Desperate Game

Just what the Silver King was after…? And how much of his designs was the Captain able to foresee…?

All Character Fushimi Saruhiko

(”How much”, not even “what if”. He subconsciously has solid confidence that his Captain can foresee Silver King’s design)

“…Um, Fushimi-san. What did the Captain even mean by that?” Hidaka turned to warily look at Fushimi once the door closed, hiding Munakata’s form from the view for good. “Who knows,” Fushimi answered disinterestedly. “Probably exactly what he said.” “B-But going straight to the Gold King?” Hidaka was clearly flustered.

Fushimi’s face took on a more serious expression. “That aside, there’s something I want to ask you about the Captain. Has he been like that the entire time?”

Case Files of Blue volume 2

(while Hidaka was flustered as the prospect of Munakata facing Gold King, Fushimi didn’t paid any mind about it. That means Fushimi also confident that Munakata can take Gold King).

Indeed he doesn’t admit out loud that Munakata is his King (and looking at that tsundere, he probably never will again, but it heavily hinted in his thoughts and actions.

#K project #Munakata Reisi #Fushimi Saruhiko #scepter 4 #sorry for straying away from original question #I just point out that although we lack of definite exclamation #we have so many proofs that shows how Fushimi admits that Munakata is his King #otp : you choose me and I choose you #Fushimi is Munakata's fanboy

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kyouxa · 5 years

Text

Diabolik lovers Chaos Lineage: Carla Tsukinami (Story 14+CG)

In terms of the gameplay: The black choices lead up to a bad ending, the white choices lead up to a good ending. Please no reposting onto other sites, ask me before translating this into another language too! I’m an amateur translator, but I hope you do enjoy it anyway!♡

Socrates: This certain place, it is completely deviating from the normal flow of time.

In other words, it is the same as the time has stopped for this world.

Yui: The time, it stopped …?

Socrates: Exactly. For example, even diseases that touched the body are stopping it’s progression.

Yui: …Ngh, that’s…

(That means Endzeit— Carla-san’s disease couldn’t continue getting worse because of this space?)

Socrates: That man, was a survivor of the founder. However, he seems to be affected by a certain sickness.

It will only be temporary that his symptoms have settled down. If you leave, you’ll lead him to death.

Yui: Such… !

(Carla-san is suffering from Endzeit which took away his whole family’s life already)

(But, if the time really stops in this space, does that really mean Carla-san is released from this disease…?)

Socrates: Choose it wise, Eve. Do you want to continue to live in this paradise, or do you want to get expelled from here?

I’ll be here, continuing to watch the experiment—

Place: Violet mansion — Carla's bedroom

Yui: (That day, I was in this strange space... and I met Socrates himself who made this certain garden)

(And that marked the moment when I was told that the time has stopped)

(As long as we would remain here, Carla-san’s illness ... Endzeit would not progress. But—)

(If we get out of this miniature garden, the illness will slowly destroy Carla-san's body ...)

Carla: For a long time, you had something you could not tell me about.

Occasionally I thought I knew the true eyes of yours. I told you not to hide anything behind my back.

Choices

1) — Apologize (white) ♡ ♡ ♡

2) — Excuse (black)

— Apologize ♡

Yui: I-I‘m sorry...

Carla: Do you accept your sins?

Yui: Yes... it‘s true that I knew all the time. But I didn‘t want to tell you because...

I knew I would hurt Carla-san if I‘d tell him about it ...

Carla: But now, I am going to listen to your situation.

— Excuse

Yui: I didn't want to hide it. I wanted to talk about it many times ... but

Carla: You couldn't do it?

Yui: Y-Yes...

That was, something I didn‘t want to hide but I was afraid of your reaction...

Carla: I will receive judgement after listening to your explanation.

end Choices

Carla: ... But, before listening. I would start with my side of the story.

Yui: Nn...

Carla: I want to be completely honest with you. I am not going to keep any secrets from you.

Yui: (Carla-san, his eyes are very clear right now)

(It’s almost like, he decided something ...)

Carla: I have noticed one certain thing since my memories came back.

Right here, my disease... Endzeit seems to have stopped progressing.

Yui: ...Ngh! H-How did you exactly notice that?

Carla: Recently, I continued to consume large amounts of magic. It should have put a load on my body.

When I was living with you in the Banmaden, although the symptoms were mild, the illness did not disappear.

Endzeit is an incurable disease. It is impossible to cure my condition in any way.

Yui: That means ... you did realize it? I haven’t been able to notice it until recently...

Carla: That is not all. A flower that never grows or withers... I was also convinced of that.

Yui: Yes... I thought so.

Carla: It looks like... you already knew that the time had stopped continuing.

Yui: (Carla-san‘s eyes... It’s like, he is looking through all of my thoughts)

(But, I can’t hide anything anymore)

(Yeah, I don't want to hide things from him anymore)

Yes... I knew about it. In this case, I was taught about it already.

This place — it was made by a person called Socrates...

Carla: This miniature garden ...? I see, that means you were in contact with the mastermind.

Yui: I’m sorry, I kept silent about that...

Even now ... you still want to hear me out?

Carla: Do not worry. Keep going.

Yui: (I will talk about everything. All that stuff I heard on that day)

*time passed*

Carla: I understand... he was putting me in some sneaky choices here.

Going to spend a long time in this miniature garden or get out of here and be touched by my dying disease again...

Yui: Socrates told me to choose one of these options. But ... I couldn't choose...

It's not just that your disease had stopped. I couldn't say anything because I was feeling lost...

Carla: I see... you finally decided to talk.

Does that mean, you have kept this secret, because you were worried about me?

You heard this story and you started thinking about me only. I want to truly know your feelings.

Yui: My true feelings...

...If we stay in this miniature garden, Carla-san’s disease will not progress. We could live together forever.

Like this, I could be with you.

Carla: ...Therefore, do you want to remain here then?

Yui: It is different! There is just not really a reason to leave this place.

I know that everyone is distorted, also that everyone’s memories are changed and I know we might have to fight ...

All of this, I know it’s wrong. I know we have to immediately get out of here.

But, I just don’t want to lose you Carla-san... !

Carla: That means, you are putting yourself in trouble for me...

Yui: Yes...

Carla: Do not look down. Raise your face and look at mine as well.

Yui: ...Nn

Carla: ...Look at me, Yui.

Yui: (If he calls me gentle like that, I can't turn him down anymore ...)

... Yes

Carla: Yes, as it should be.

Carla: ...

Yui: ...Nn

(Carla-san, his lips...)

Carla: ... I honestly feel happy about your true feelings.

Yui: (Carla-san, right now he is so calm...)

(Even if I betrayed him, he still kisses me so gentle)

Carla: Listen closely, Yui. You are my life and only wife.

My incurable disease, Endzeit — even if it is calm now, death will come anyways.

Roses

Carla's shoulder: I want you to listen to my feelings, with the special thought, that only you can understand me.

Yui's shoulder : You sometimes act beyond anyone’s expectations, in this moment I know you are doing all of this to protect me. Therefore, I appreciate your hard work.

Carla: But, as long as I can be with you, I can feel your love until my very last moment.

That is why, I want to live with you in the flow, not in this distorted miniature garden.

Even if it is a life that might run out someday, my happiness will not be taken away by anyone.

Yui: Carla-san...

Carla: Your sorrow and sadness, if it is just for me—

Now let's not reiterate things here, this is not necessary. I am fully satisfied with this.

But, if you really feel lonely about my future loss.

I will share all the remaining time with you and fill your heart with the desire you aim for.

I promise you unforgettable happiness, even if you are also going away someday.

Yui: Carla-san... Thank you very much...

(Honestly, I still can't imagine losing Carla-san. But, just for now—)

(I want to wipe out the anxiety about our invisible future. For Carla-san's sake...)

Me too, I want to make more precious moments with you. No matter what happens.

...Carla-san, could you please drink my blood?

Carla: Do you want me to engrave myself in your body?

Yui: Yes. I never want you to disappear...

That’s why, my blood, like this I could always be connected to you...

Carla: All right. Come closer.

*Yui comes closer*

Carla: You must be tired of this place already. I don't want to be too rough on you ...

Yui: It's okay. I asked you myself, that means that I want to feel the full strength of Carla-san’s fangs...

Besides, I kept this secret for a long time. It can’t be helped if I‘m getting any punishment.

Carla: There is no wisdom, but if you are jealous, the story is completely different.

For punishment, pull your hands. It is good to be swayed by severe pain and jealousy.

Ahh... Nn... Nn...

Yui: Agh... ! Nn... Ngh

(Everything seems to be taken away... his fangs are deeper in my skin than usually...)

(But, right now this pain isn’t enough for me...)

Carla... san... please

Carla: You really are greedy today. Can’t you be satisfied with this level?

Those thick blood vessels that run through your neck are pulsating... you can feel them by tracing.

Yui: Ah...

Carla: Did the thought of it shake you off already? It seems that the blood in this body is pleased to be sucked by me.

The tip of this hand, arms — shoulders. Everything I touch is pretty hot.

Yui: Ahh... to trace my body with your fingertips ... Nn

Carla: You look pained. But wasn’t it punishment that you truly desired so badly?

Yui: I'm sorry... Carla-san, I’m sorry.

Carla: Hmph... if it is assembled so far, shouldn’t it be impossible for you to respond... ?

All right. I will give you what you wanted... Nn... Nn...

Yui: Ahh... !

Carla-san... let’s get... out of here...

As long as I can be with you... I-I‘m going to be fine... ngh

Carla: It is enough to just hear those words from you. I will definitely make sure, to escape with you from here.

And I will love you until my life runs out, I swear that I will continue to satisfy you.

Yui: Me too... I promise

Carla: Yes... Nn... Nn...

Yui: (Pain spreads throughout my body. Please, carve your fangs more into my skin)

(I don’t want to imagine the day when you leave me completely alone in this world—)

Place: Violet mansion — dungeon

Shin: Shit, they really are going to keep us in such a place.

Ruki: Shin, calm down. The situation doesn't change whether you scream or not.

Shin: I know that. Violet’s members are everything else than polite.

They don’t respect that we are proud members from Orange.

Ayato: Ugh! Shaddup already! I'm in the same prison, so lower your voice!

Kanato: That's right, we got trapped because of you two people. Are you not reflecting on it?

Shin: Says the traitor with the habit of ignoring his big brothers orders.

Ruki: Stop, you guys. It's unsightly.

Ayato: Tch!

Shin: ... Shit...

Monologue

Once my feelings calmed down, Carla-san called Subaru-kun again.

Of course, the story I just told... I needed to tell Subaru-kun about the miniature garden and Socrates as well.

As expected, Subaru-kun had a surprised face, but he believed in everything I said.

And, like Carla-san, he accepted the story without blaming me.

Place: Violet mansion — Carla's bedroom

Subaru: ...Jeez, this entire situation is really messed up.

Yui: Yes... I know

Subaru: I won’t be mad at you, it isn‘t necessary. The important thing is the future now.

Yui: ... Yes

Carla: The thoughts that float in this space has not changed, it must be spread around the church then.

Now that we have determined that this is a space made of magic, we will head to the church... there is no doubt that this is the key of this garden.

Yui: Yes, I think I‘m sure we will find something inside there if we go and check it.

Subaru: What should we find exactly? Something like an exit or escape route?

Yui: We can't say what we could find unless we go and check it out by ourselves...

Besides, it might be that if Socrates is watching us, he might interferes in our plan again ...

Subaru: If he comes out, you shouldn't be too concerned about it.

Yui: I-I wonder if that will dissipate?

Carla: ....

Yui: Carla-san? What‘s wrong?

Carla: — No, I might came up with one way.

Yui: A way ... You mean to get out of here!?

Carla: That's right. I just reflected what you told me.

Socrates: This is a space made of magic. Provided with magic powers through the church.

As long as there is a church, the miniature garden will exist forever.

Carla: There is no doubt that Socrates said that, isn’t that right Yui?

Yui: Y-Yes. There is no doubt.

Carla: Then there is only one thing we can do.

Destroy the entire church.

Yui: Huh!?

Subaru: Huh? Are you being serious?

Carla: Of course, there is no time to fool around. This miniature garden is made up because of enormous magic powers.

If the supply of magical power stops even a little, it will collapse.

This miniature garden can only exist with it‘s church. We can only turn on other side, if the church which is the source of magic power disappears—

Yui: That means this space will collapse and disappear?

Carla: That's how it should be.

Subaru: Hah, I see. We can escape once we destroyed that thing, it’s pretty easy to understand.

Carla: This is our priority. We need to make sure to break the source of magic in it — The church where the traditional Eve was sleeping.

This will be the beginning of everything.

Yui: ... Yes!

(Looks like, we finally decided what to do)

(Whatever happens, we need to know if anything is awaiting us in the church ...!)

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bananaairplane · 4 years

Text

You Already Know What To Do

Shortly after I arrive in Oregon for harvest, I got an email from an editor asking for the manuscript of my dissertation, which I had described as being ready in my book proposal but was, actually, filled with notes to myself and the random rough patches left behind by cutting and rearranging. My first goal, however, was to find a cheap, old Toyota to buy. This was how I found myself sitting in the back seat of my roommate’s car, in the parking lot of an auto mechanic, typing footnotes on my laptop and glancing up every few minutes at the rear view mirror to glimpse the back of a pale green Camry perched on a lift in one of the bays behind me. Its wide fenders framed the horizontal red bars of the taillights like parentheses. As I gazed upon it, I knew this was my car. It was perfect: not beige, with leather seats, and the owner lived in the same suburb where I found my mattress, also on Craigslist.

It was not perfect: The “check engine” light was on, the radio didn’t work, and the A/C vent made a clicking noise. After the inspection found multiple oil leaks, I couldn’t come to an agreement with the seller on price and I walked away. I was so sure it was the one, but after all I don’t believe in superstitions like that. I reasoned that it only felt like my car because car buying is stressful and I just wanted it to be over.

The next day, I drove four more Camrys. Two of them were beige and most had the kind of busted suspension that makes it feel like you are driving an ox cart through a Thomas Hardy novel. One of them had a broken driver’s door handle, which seemed like a dealbreaker: What if I were being chased by a bear, and needed to leap to safety? Also, if no one has bothered to fix something so superficial, what kind of shape can the car be in?

I almost bought one of the beige ones from Adem, the salesman at a crowded car lot pressed up against a two-lane road on the outskirts of Portland. Relaxed, unflappable, cheerful, Adem had a careless air that telegraphed supreme confidence in his trade and also a certain disdain for it. When I returned to the lot a second time and explained that I wanted to drive the car 20 minutes away for an inspection, which would take at least an hour, he shrugged and waved off my offer to leave my license as surety. “I know you’ll come back,” he said easily. When I did come back, we sat in the Adirondack chairs outside the little office and reminisced about Turkish food. He told me about his vacation home in Anatolia and invited me to use it sometime. He smoked a cigarette and sighed as he looked out over the dense thatch of Subarus and Nissans on the lot.

Two days later, I set out to buy the car. I got a sense of what kind of day it was going to be when Andrew, the teller at the bank, began listing the Zodiac signs of all the actors who have played James Bond. It started innocuously enough. I asked him for $3,300 in cash. He took my ID and started typing things into his computer. “Oh, I see you have a birthday this month.” I assumed this was the prelude to some kind of security check, so I said yes, and was going to confirm the date. “You’re a Leo,” he mused. Was he hitting on me? He named two celebrities who were born on August 16th. Did their shared birthday yield other similarities, I asked? They were both in superhero movies. I offered that Madonna is a Leo. He was filling out the request slip for the money when he got to the James Bonds. Sean Connery: Virgo. Timothy Dalton: Libra. He needs a supervisor’s approval to give me this much cash. I make a comment about Libras being calm by nature, so he serves me Hugh Jackman, another Libra. Leonardo DiCaprio: Scorpio. He met Leonardo DiCaprio once, at the Aerospace Museum of California. The manager has come by and now Andrew is counting out the cash, spreading out the bills like he’s setting up a magic trick. I glance around the lobby nervously to see who may be observing. I sweep up the bills and stuff them into bank envelopes as quickly as he finishes counting. Now he is telling me that he paid $300 for a 3-minute video meet and greet with John Cleese, one of the members of Monty Python. He used part of his 3 minutes to tell Cleese that he didn’t really like “Holy Grail” very much. Cleese told him to watch "Fawlty Towers.” A line was forming for the teller windows. It seemed rude to just leave, so I waited for him to finish his story.

I don’t exactly remember how things went sideways at the car lot. Adem and I sat inside the little office, on either side of his desk. I brought up that the struts on the car were original and overdue for replacement. The owner of the dealership, sitting nearby, got wind of what was happening. “What is the issue? The what? Struts?” He called over. “What does that cost? $50? $100? We’ll replace them for you.” Immediately he had his phone out and he was dialing. “This guy is the best front-end guy in Portland, only the best work,” he was saying. “He gives me a discount.” He had the phone on speaker and held it before him like an old-timey movie star in her dressing room with a cut glass atomizer of perfume. The front-end guy quoted him $450 for the struts. “How much?” He exclaimed. He began dialing another number. “Hector is a grease monkey” he explained, “but he does good work.” Hector quoted $350. “With the savings,” the dealer assured me, “we’ll also have him change the oil.” I ended up taking my envelopes of cash home in an Uber.

Reader, I bought the pale green Camry. The owner was a somewhat disgruntled, wiry man who lived in an ostentatious tract home in a subdivision whose streets all bore the names of European cities. Except, incongruously, for Iceland Street; I guess they decided no one wanted to spend their life trying to spell Reykjavik over the phone: “ROMEO ECHO YANKEE KILO JULIET ALPHA VICTOR INDIA KILO.” When I texted him abjectly offering to buy the car, he surprised me by texting back that I could have it for $200 less than we had discussed, if I bought it the next morning. When I rang his doorbell, accordingly, at 10:00 the next day, he looked shocked to see me. He had deleted our previous text exchange and thought I was someone else. But, seeing as I was there with one of my envelopes of cash, he went inside and got the paperwork.

As the global pandemic and West Coast wildfires have upset my plans for this year of adventure, I’ve been flying by instruments, making up my itinerary as I go along. Where will I go next? What will I do? How will I spend this year, and what if the pandemic, having killed my round-the-world plans, extends what was meant to be one year of adventure into two? With little to guide my choices, I inevitably look for signs to signal which way to go next. When things fall into place, it feels like the universe sending me flowers: Sorry I screwed up your plans, here’s a Toyota.

Outside a cannabis dispensary in Santa Cruz on the side of Highway 1, a letter board sign reads: YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT TO DO. I drove past it on my way to Big Sur to camp in my hard won car. Those words stuck with me as I drove down the coast, and resonate now, as I stay with friends in San Diego and contemplate my next move. On the one hand, I feel baffled: where to go next, what to do in a pandemic? On the other hand, this trip has revealed to me that I know the answers to those questions. I already know what to do. It’s time to make it happen.

#adventure #my writing #writing #road trip #travel #cars #my car

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mythicamagic · 5 years

Text

Diabolik Murder Mystery: Twoshot

Writing Commission for @s-e-kwan

AU: In Edwardian London, Detective Mukami Ruki pays a visit to Sakamaki manor after hearing the news of his late Benefactor’s murder. It soon becomes clear the culprit is one of the sons, or is it possibly Karl Heinz’s ward; miss Yui Komori?

Mystery/some romance

Rated T

10,100 words

Chapter Two - here

Diabolik Murder Mystery~

The grimy streets were quiet in the late evening, with street lamps illuminating dingy alleyways and cobblestone pavements in a gaudy orange.

A pale hand drew back a velvet curtain, looking out from within the carriage. Ruki Mukami’s lips lifted in a silent sneer, the curtain falling back into place.

He hated downtown. More for the reminder of what it had done to him in his youth.

But for his purposes, he needed to visit it and ignore the filth, poor and ghosts of proud little aristocrats weeping on street corners. He stepped out of the carriage once it reached a downtrodden pub, walking inside.

Yuma paused, a barrel hauled casually over his shoulder. “Hey, Ruki!” He greeted.

The other patrons paused in their drinks, looking at the man that stuck out like a sore thumb.

Tailored black clothes and tall top hats weren’t things usually seen around downtown. Ruki ignored them, padding to a table where two young men awaited him.

Yuma finished up setting the drinks barrel down, wiping the surface of the bar before joining them.

Kou smiled. “It’s been a little while since we were all together~”

“Mn…I’ve missed…you,” the youngest, Azusa murmured.

Ruki set his hat down, adjusting his collar and cuffs until they were loose, shedding his gentlemanly persona. There was no need for it now. “Yes. I apologise for being busy and that the reason for our meeting had to be so…grim.”

Yuma leaned his cheek on his palm. “Tch, we couldn’t exactly ignore it.”

Nodding, Ruki pulled out a newspaper from his jacket, setting it on the table.

‘MURDER AT SAKAMAKI MANOR.’ The headline read.

Azusa looked at the article, frowning softly at the name of the victim. “Karl…Heinz.”

“Indeed. Murdered in his sleep. Each of his children were in the house with him, and we’re all aware of his monetary status.”

Letting out an aggravated sigh, Yuma shook his head. “Here ya go again, playing detective.”

“It’s almost like it’s my job,” Ruki muttered dryly.

“Soo you’re going to investigate it without anyone hiring you?”

The eldest Mukami glanced at Kou, who observed him quietly. “I don’t have much of a choice. He adopted us, fed us and clothed us without anyone hiring him. It’s not clear if the motive was revenge, an act of wrath, or desire to obtain his full wealth, and I won’t know until I interview the family. I also need to find out the status of the Will.”

“We will…help you…Ruki,” Azusa nodded.

“Heh, don’t steal my line. Course’ we’ll help,” Yuma agreed, with Kou inspecting his pristine nails.

“If it doesn’t interfere with my singing.”

“Shaddap! He paid for your concert slots. Ya owe your fame to him!”

Ruki put a hand up, silencing the glaring brothers. “Thank you. I think it’s best we communicate by letter while this is going on. I’ll send you instructions.”

“Why?”

“The six Sakamaki children are wealthy. It wouldn’t surprise me if they assigned someone to follow me when I begin my investigation. They’ll want to know what I know. I can’t use you to spy on them if they know our connection.”

“Makes sense, you got any suspects yet?” Kou hummed.

Ruki threaded his fingers. Pale lips curve, blue-grey eyes darkening. “Not yet. Though I am thoroughly interested in meeting his ward.”

“Ah, I remember he got one. What’s her name again?”

“Miss Yui Komori.”

OOO

A young lady with blonde hair wandered out onto the balcony, airing out the laundry. The past few days had left her with a ghostly pallor, her eyes downcast. The black dress she wore signified her state of mourning.

Hurrying downstairs to go and help the servants in the kitchen with dinner, she almost bumped head first into someone. “O-oh, forgive me,” she curtseyed.

Subaru stilled, muscles tensing. With a tsk, he averted his eyes and stormed off. Yui straightened, her hand dipping into her pocket to squeeze the iron rosary within.

“You don’t have time to be dawdling, Komori.”

Raising her head, she met narrowed eyes. Reiji padded down the hallway. “Our guest will be arriving soon.”

“I don’t see why we should let a damn Detective into this house, much less feed him.” Ayato piped up on his way to go steal food from the kitchen.

“It’s true the police have already interviewed us. But if they’ve hired one, then we’ve no choice but to open our doors to him. I certainly don’t want to arouse suspicion…unless you’re worried he’ll find something you’re hiding,” Reiji uttered, lifting a brow.

“Tch, shut it Four Eyes. I’m not gonna hide the fact that I think whoever killed the Old man is a damn legend.” Ayato sneered, padding away.

Reiji folded his arms loosely. “Not the best strategy with dealing with an investigator,” he sighed. Glancing at Yui, who still lingered, her expression thoughtful, he frowned. “Unless you want a whipping, off with you, Komori.”

She jumped, squeaking and nodding as she hurried away.

OOO

The Mansion was as lavish as Ruki had expected, with finely trimmed hedges and vast, sprawling grounds. He and his brothers had never visited. They’d been kept a secret from Karl Heinz’s family, though why, Ruki had never known. It hadn’t been his place to ask.

Knocking on the door, Ruki was received by a servant, who took his hat and coat. Stepping inside, Ruki lifted his head to look at the stained glass skylight in the foyer. Another servant asked that he follow her to the drawing room, where seven people awaited him.

His children, Ruki thought, glancing at the only girl. And ward.

“Thank you for arriving on time,” Reiji walked forward, posture straight. He offered his hand, and Ruki shook it.

“I’m the one who owes thanks for being received. Having you all here at once makes my job easier.”

Ayato scoffed.

Turning, Reiji motioned to his siblings. “I’ll start by introducing us. That one sleeping on the couch so disgracefully is Shuu, the eldest. I am Reiji, second eldest. Next is Ayato, Kanato, Laito and Subaru,” he gestured to each one in turn.

Ruki nodded in greeting, before turning to the young woman.

“This is Yui Komori. My Father took her on as his ward,” Reiji muttered.

She curtseyed, bowing her head politely. Taking her petite hand, Ruki dipped low, raising it to his lips. From his peripheral vision, he noticed the youngest Sakamaki bristle.

Interesting, Ruki thought, straightening and looking into Yui’s eyes. “It’s a pleasure.”

He was soon shown to a seat, which he sank into, observing each of his technical half-brothers. “Now then, you know what business has brought me here,” he said softly. “Three days ago, your Father was murdered at around 1.00am, dying from multiple stab wounds.”

Pausing to gauge their reactions, it seemed only Yui was shaken by the gory details. The boys looked on plainly, almost seeming bored.

“…The report I gained from the autopsy showed that his left arm had suffered some burns. But from what was found, it stands to reason that he was burned after being killed.”

Luckily Azusa working in the morgue proved extremely useful.

Laito hummed, tapping his bottom lip. “That’s odd. A burn? Why would there be one?”

“Karl Heinz was found in a bed with unspoiled sheets. I therefore think the murderer knocked over the candelabra next to his bed shortly after the murder and singed the bodies arm. For some reason instead of leaving the blaze, the murderer must have snuffed it out and removed the burned and bloody bedsheets. They then changed them with clean ones.”

“That sounds like an awful amount of trouble to go to,” Reiji said flatly.

“Mn…” Ruki slid his gaze over them. “His body was found at 6.00am by the butler. That’s all I know about the incident itself. That, and the murder weapon.” He pulled out a single silver knife from inside his jacket, setting it down on the table.

Subaru swallowed. A few brothers directed their gazes at the floor or wall. A tactic Ruki knew well. They knew who it belonged to, but they didn’t want to rat them out.

“This was found discarded outside the house among the bushes. The blade matches the types of lacerations and wounds found on the body.” Ruki sat back, threading his fingers. “I’d now like to hear your alibis.”

“But surely you’ve already read the police report? Saying it again is tiresome,” Kanato sighed, squeezing teddy.

The Detective regarded him cooly. “I would like to hear it directly from you.”

So that he could see if anyone slipped up or looked as though they were rehearsing lines. Sometimes people even remembered things they’d forgotten.

Shuu revealed he’d been in his room, asleep when the incident happened.

Ayato had also been sound asleep in his room.

And Laito.

And Reiji.

And-

All of them. Not one of them had an alibi that could be proven by another person.

Ruki’s eyes narrowed when none of them wavered. Either they were telling the truth, or they were such strong liars that it was second nature not to flinch.

As Reiji went about making them all tea, Ruki inwardly went over what each of them did for a living, as he’d found from his own investigative work.

Shuu was the apathetic and lazy eldest son who remained jobless, he’d never worked a day in his life.

Reiji proved the exact opposite. As an accomplished scientist, he’d contributed much to the medical field.

The triplets ran some sort of high-end pub, which Ruki knew to be a secret brothel. He’d sent Yuma there himself just to make sure.

Yuma had not wanted to talk about it too much, apparently shaken. Naturally the Triplets denied all accusations in past Police inquires, not wanting to get arrested.

Subaru had little prospects and had become the grounds keeper of the estate.

And last of all was miss Komori, whom Karlheinz took under his wing after taking her from a convent. Why, exactly, Ruki didn’t know. She was a dedicated missionary worker, and a catholic who helped out with the churches, convents and orphanages.

Truly a saint. He sneered.

Accepting the tea, he levelled his gaze at Reiji. “If I’m not mistaken, you have different Mothers, correct?”

Ayato tensed, glaring. “What’s that got to do with anything?”

“Enough, Ayato. Yes, Shuu and I are from Karlheinz’s first wife, Beatrice. The Triplets are from his second, Cordelia. Subaru is from his…current wife, Christa.” Reiji explained.

Ruki feigned innocence. “And what happened to the first two?”

“They were murdered, their cases still unsolved,” Shuu drawled quietly, not opening his eyes.

“Fufufu, yes~ Father was referred to as Bluebeard for a while by the city folk. They thought he did it.”

Glancing at Laito, the detective lifted a brow. “You don’t?”

“Hm? Ohh who can say?” Green eyes glittered.

After taking a sip of his cup, Ruki looked up. Though there were plenty of lamps lit, the air was slightly chilly. Curiously, the brothers left the fireplace unlit. “I’d like to finally talk about the Will this evening, before going to see the scene of the murder.”

The brothers shifted and glanced at each other.

“I heard the details myself. Your Father certainly had a dark sense of humour,” he smiled slightly. “It said that his vast fortune and estate would go to the son who managed to kill him, is that not correct?”

Only Reiji nodded. The others wore unreadable expressions.

“What’s more, he went on to say that whoever did so would gain miss Komori’s hand in marriage.” Ruki’s sharp eyes slid to Yui, who lingered near the wall, hands drawn up to her chest like she were silently praying. “And curiously, you omitted yourself from the Will, didn’t you Subaru?”

All eyes turned to the youngest, who glared. “So what? I don’t want to be part of whatever sick and twisted game that man thought up! I don’t want his money!” He spat.

Thin lips curved up, blue-grey eyes assessing him. “Well it is a bit of a double-edged sword. Only the murderer can gain the money and miss Komori. And they’ll only get that fortune once they’ve turned themselves in or been caught.”

Silence descended on the room. A tense energy charged the already gloomy and quiet atmosphere.

A servant then interrupted the group, piping up that dinner was ready.

After eating their meals without much incident, Ruki mused to himself as he held the fine silver cutlery, that it looked just like the ones from his memory. From days of old, when he’d been living in his own fine, lavish mansion. Where servants had waited on him hand and foot and he’d thanked them with whips, knives and cruelty.

Ruki set down the silver spoon.

“Mr. Mukami, are you alright?” Yui murmured quietly, sitting beside him at the table.

Glancing at her, he wondered what kind of expression he’d been making. “Yes…fine thank you. I think I’d like to retire to bed after inspecting the murder scene, if that’s acceptable.”

“Oh, of course.” She nodded, smiling kindly.

“Don’t dally too long in showing him Father’s room, Yui.” Kanato sniffed. “You promised to fix Teddy’s stitching.”

“Ah, y-yes.”

“And help the servants tidy the kitchen.” Reiji snipped.

The Sakamaki’s watched them leave the table with narrow, slightly hostile gazes. Ruki almost found it refreshing they did nothing to hide their dislike of him.

He followed miss Komori up the stairs, who seemed to be in the habit of clutching a rosary to her.

“They treat you much like Livestock. A servant, instead of their equal as Karl Heinz’s ward.” Ruki mused, gliding his hand up the dark wooden handrail.

Yui stiffened. “Mn. I’ve become used to them though,” she admitted.

“Why exactly did Karl Heinz adopt you?”

“I don’t know honestly. When he visited my convent, he just requested to take me home. I thought at first he’d be doing something terrible or underhanded to me, but he was very pleasant and kind, if a little distant. I think…sometimes he did it so that his sons could talk to someone ordinary.” She said, reaching the top of the staircase and carrying on down a long hallway.

“Ordinary?”

“Mhm. They dismiss their servants, so of course they wouldn’t bother talking to them like regular people. But their pride and upbringing has made it difficult for them to even talk to other gentleman or ladies. I guess introducing me to them was a way of trying to make them lower their standards,” she gave a self-deprecating giggle, before it died in her throat. They’d reached Karl Heinz’s door.

“I wouldn’t say that, my Lady,” Ruki muttered, passing by her frozen figure and opening it.

Everything was silent within. He could see that the room looked a little bare, but knew various items had been confiscated for the police investigation. The double bed was large and fit for a King, the moonlight filtering in through the window.

Ruki stopped to take it in, before walking around the bed to its left side. Apparently that was where Karl had been laying when he was murdered. Sinking to one knee, he touched the wooden floorboard, finding part of it a darker colour. It was clearly charred.

Excess embers from the burns on Karl’s arm? This only confirmed to him the blaze had been an accident. A candelabra had been on the list of confiscated items, which had been found on the floor.

The thing that confused him was the changed sheets. If the murderer had killed Karl and managed to snuff out the blaze, why bother to wait around and change the bedding?

Unless…

Azusa had said there had been jagged, uneven cuts on Karl’s upper arm as well. Like someone had attempted amputation. The cuts had been made also after the victim had been deceased.

A cover up?

“M-Mr. Mukami. Is everything okay in there?” Came Yui’s voice.

“Yes, I’m fine.” Straightening, he took another look around the room, pulling out draws. He then re-joined Yui in the hallway, who seemed hesitant to go in.

“I suppose I should retire to bed.” He inclined his head.

“Yes, me too. Thank you for all your hard work so far.”

Nodding, Ruki spied movement out of the corner of his eye. The youngest Sakamaki again.

Deciding to test a theory, he stepped closer to the woman, who remained clueless. Ruki then crowded her back into the wall, setting his hand up near her head.

Yui’s cheeks flushed, eyes widening. “M-Mr. Mukami- what are you-“

“You’re like Eve in a den of snakes, so helpless and yet a singular existence amidst filth. There’s something very compelling about you, miss Komori.”

“I barely know you, sir!”

“Perhaps you should use my first name and it will deepen our familiarity then, Yui,” he purrs, mouth inches from her ear. From the angle however, it probably looked like he was kissing her neck.

“HEY!”

Before he was ripped off her, Ruki noticed a hickey she’d tried to hide under the lace of her collar.

Subaru stood between them, fist slamming into Ruki’s jaw. Yui cried out and grabbed the young man’s arm, tugging at him as Ruki staggered.

“Subaru! H-he didn’t hurt me, it’s alright.”

“HOW IS IT? OR ARE YOU FINE WITH OTHER MEN DOIN’ WHAT THEY WANT WITH YA?” Subaru roared, eyes blazing.

Yui dropped his arm. Ruki brushed a hand over his aching jaw.

“I didn’t say that,” she said quietly, averting her gaze. “I’m tired. I’ll see you tomorrow, gentleman.”

Watching her figure retreat, hurrying down the hallway and obviously fighting tears, Ruki glanced at Subaru.

“You stay away from her!” He snapped.

Ruki rose a brow. “Why? Are you that protective of her as your sister? From what I know, she’s only been living here a year.”

The white-haired boy stiffened, caught.

Ruki smiled slightly. “I assume this is my room?” He gestured to an undecorated door, pointing to him that it was a guest bedroom.

“Piss off,” Subaru tossed his head, grouchily stomping away and leaving Ruki alone. Humming, the detective slipped inside his room.

Laying down for the night, he wearily fought away the usual nightmares.

OOO

The next few days, Ruki quietly observed the behaviours of each of the Sakamaki children during their day.

Shuu, predictably, slept.

Reiji worked from home in his study, which was strictly off limits. Ruki had peered in anyway, seeing the research and experiments on display. Karl’s system had no trace of poison, narcotics or any other type of tampering, so Ruki left him be.

He then wrote down instructions and passed them to a servant he’d paid off, who in turn happened to wander into the market and pass them to Yuma and Kou.

Yuma despaired in following the Triplets again to their place of work, but grimly did so.

Kou’s task was to follow the youngest Sakamaki.

He watched and kept his distance, having the uncanny ability to mix into any atmosphere and belong if he was in disguise. The singer raised a brow when Subaru visited the Mad House, however. Hanging back, Kou waited an hour outside before Subaru left, looking much paler with eyes downcast. A red mark was blooming on his cheek.

Kou wandered inside afterwards and just so happened to find out who he’d been visiting; His mother, Christa.

After passing back the information to Ruki via similar means, the eldest Mukami paused. He then showed the murder weapon to the servant he’d paid off, asking who it belonged to.

Soon after, he wrote in his notes – prime suspect: Subaru Sakamaki. Owner of silver knife.

Motive: His Mother suffered great pain at the hands of Karl Heinz, who had a terrible effect on her sanity.

He just needed a little more proof and it would be enough. Though…something didn’t add up to him, and he couldn’t figure out what. He therefore had Kou tail Subaru one extra day, tailing him to the East side of London.

Ooo

Following the ward himself, Ruki sat down in the church one afternoon. He wasn’t exactly one for praying, but he allowed Yui to stay as she was, hand’s clasped and head bowed. She took a few minutes more to finish up, before glancing at him guardedly.

“O-oh. Hello, Mr. Mukami.”

“You don’t have to be afraid, and Ruki is fine.” He smirked, standing when she did. “Off to do missionary work now?”

“Yes, I’m quite busy,” she murmured.

“And what sections of London do you usually visit? East side?”

“N-No. Just the local area. I don’t get out much or walk so far,” Yui held her prayer book, walking down the aisle.

“Lying in a church?” Ruki chuckled, causing her to freeze. He approached her from behind slowly. “It’s funny. Just the other day someone spotted you in East side, walking into a hotel famous for its sordid affairs and meetups for estranged lovers.”

Yui turned to face him, pale.

His lips curved cruelly. “You met Subaru in there just the other day, didn’t you?”

“How do you…know that was me? It could have been anyone.”

He reached into his jacket pocket, taking something out. “You left behind some damning evidence.”

A rosary dangled in front of her face. Yui gaped, patting down her pockets and finding them empty. Shuddering, she blinked the tears from her eyes.

“I knew it. He killed Karl to prevent anyone else from having you. He did it to protect you in his own twisted min-“

“No that’s not it!” Yui burst. “He was with me that night. We w-were together, making love. Please don’t tell anyone.”

At this, Ruki paused. “You lied to the police. Why go that far? You two are hardly doing anything illegal, you’re not fully adopted as his sister.”

“It’s not that…Subaru has a poor opinion of himself,” Yui said quietly, wiping away the stray tears that escaped. “He doesn’t want my virtue being called into question. He….thinks I should marry a gentleman. But I can’t do that if my reputation is ruined. So we keep it a secret.”

Ruki observes her quietly. “…You love him, don’t you?”

“More than anything,” Yui murmured, looking at him with a raised chin and determined eyes.

“Hm,” he smiled slightly, thinking her a rare find in a greedy, murderous mansion. What he didn’t say, however, was that her admission didn’t ease him. She could easily be lying to protect a lover. If he didn’t receive any more information to the contrary, then Sakamaki Subaru would likely be arrested for his father’s murder.

Ooo

A soiree was held on the fourth day, taking place in the evening. It was in incredibly poor taste to have one before the funeral, but it didn’t stop the guests from pouring in. Ruki wondered if the brothers were doing it just to spite him.

However, he decided to just observe the young men in their natural habitat. Shuu didn’t move as per usual, while the Triplets were laughing it up in the Game room. He noticed that Kanato was the more reserved one, not quite having the flair for conversation his two brothers had. The youngest triplet therefore quietly slipped out, and his presence wasn’t even missed.

Ayato had his arm around a busty brunette, grinning at her. “You know you’d work real well in a show we do.”

“Ohh, what kind of show?” She purred, playing with his loose tie as he tipped alcohol down his throat.

Subaru passed by their table, hands drawn into tight fists. He knocked a wine glass in his rush, tipping it over.

Laito cried out, “naaw! Subaru~ you ruined the table cloth. Reiji will be maad-“

“Indeed, I’m a little cross.” Reiji suddenly stormed up, glaring at the plume of red staining the crisp white cloth.

Subaru snarled. “Shut up! It wasn’t my fault!”

“Honestly, go bring me a fresh table cloth at the very least.”

“I don’t know where all that crap is!” He snarled, while Reiji sighed.

“Very well, I’ll do it. As per usual,” he snipped, walking out.

It was clear none of them got on. Ruki opened his mouth to say something- before a horrible, deafening yell came from the other room. Running to the living room, he found Shuu sat in the corner, knees drawn up and violently shaking, rocking back and forth as the curtains from the slightly open windows swayed.

“What happened?”

“He’s afraid of fire,” Subaru muttered, appearing at his side.

Glancing at the fireplace, Ruki noticed it was lit. Quickly grabbing the bucket next to it, which was usually always filled next to fire places for emergencies, he found it empty.

“Fill this with water, immediately.” He shoved it into a startled maid’s hands. She quickly rushed by the confused guests, who looked at the helpless man cowering in the corner. Subaru was at his side, awkwardly putting a hand on his shoulder and muttering quietly to him.

“W-we just lit the fire because it was chilly.” A man defended, looking slightly guilty.

The maid felt like she took an agonisingly slow time, but finally she returned. Ruki quickly grabbed the heavy bucket and threw the water onto the flames. They hissed on impact, charred wood going damp.

Shuu’s violent shudders slowly abated, breathing calming. Ruki exhaled, walking over and crouching before him.

“Mr. Sakamaki, are you alright?”

Shuu didn’t answer.

Clearing his throat, Subaru offered: “He uh…had a trauma as a kid.”

“What happened?”

“I dunno. He’s never told me. Only one of us who knows is Reiji.”

Ruki nodded, standing. He was about to collect his thoughts, when yet another scream rang out. This time, it was a woman’s voice.

“Someone come quickly! Help! Help!”

The word caught in Ruki’s ears and pushed him to run. He wasn’t even aware he was moving, sprinting up the lavish staircase. His heart thundered in his ears. Blood pumped rapidly through his burning veins.

The crying maid stood outside a bedroom, body wrecked with sobs. Ruki distantly heard the other Sakamakai’s joining him but didn’t stop, rushing into the room with pink wallpaper.

Yui sat in a chair, dressed in a beautiful black gown. She’d obviously tried to make the best of the mourning colour. He couldn’t remember seeing her at the party. Now he definitely wouldn’t.

Recovering from his moment of shock, he quickly padded over and pressed two fingers to her neck. Try as he might however, he couldn’t find a pulse. Her eyes were already closed.

Ruki then took note of the slight foam dripping down her chin from her mouth. Picking up the empty glass at her feet, he sniffed it. The scent was sharp. Not wine, and certainly not water.

Horrified noises of some stray guests came from the door. Ruki sharply turned. “There has been a murder. I ask that the doors be shut and all guests please remain in the house. Someone call the police!”

From out of the Sakamakis, Subaru stepped out, his eyes wide.

“Y…ui…”

He suddenly raced forward, knocking Ruki aside to grab at her clothes. “YUI!”

Ruki tried to seize him and tug him off- the body couldn’t be interfered with after all. Reiji joined him, pulling the distraught, crying man off his lover.

Blue-grey eyes shifted to Reiji, something clicking in his mind. Whatever had killed Yui, the circumstances of her murder seemed right up his ally.

OOO

In all his years of work, Ruki hadn’t had much time to really be affected by death. He didn’t mourn, or feel much of anything for the victims. They were just bodies.

Miss Yui Komori was different. Seeing her be put on a stretcher and then loaded into the back of an open wagon like anyone else…made his chest twinge.

Just a little.

She was covered by a white sheet, and then carted off down the cold cobblestone road.

Subaru was inconsolable. He sat on a leather couch, elbows resting on his knees, head bowed. Ruki didn’t feel the need to interview him or Shuu just yet. The police naturally interviewed all the guests, something that stretched into the early hours of the morning.

Ruki however, kept a strict eye on the other Sakamakis. He entered Reiji’s study and pointed out the various chemicals held on site to the police, who went through each vile and confiscated them. In the days that followed, an expert was called to test the effects of each one, but none matched up to what Azusa pinpointed to be the fatal thing that had ended miss Komori’s life.

Deciding to write a letter to Kou and Yuma, Ruki gave them some strict instructions.

The six Sakamaki brothers sat in their drawing room one evening, sporting various tired or apathetic looks. Subaru’s face was ashen.

Stepping into the dimly lit room, Ruki cleared his throat. “Gentleman. I have an announcement to make. New information has come to light concerning Yu- I mean miss Komori’s murder.”

The white-haired man’s head shot up, staring at him. “What is it?” He hissed.

Taking out a piece of parchment, Ruki unfolded it. “She was killed by a fatal dose of a type of poison extracted from a rare, exotic plant. It is very expensive, and very hard to come by. Only someone with considerable wealth could purchase such a thing, and only one merchant in London sells it.”

He turned the paper around, showing a merchants list of products and purchases. Reiji’s name was clearly written down.

The room was quiet, and Reiji didn’t react. He merely looked on calmly.

Subaru suddenly lunged for him- only to be caught by Shuu and held back. He snarled and kicked, struggling. “YOU BASTARD! WHY?! WHY DID YOU DO IT? SHE NEVER HURT ANYONE!”

Ruki put the list away. “…You’re the one who instructed the servants to open the windows the night of the soiree. That’s why a random guest innocently asked for the fire to be lit. You threw away the water ahead of time, knowing Shuu’s reaction would be a distraction enough for you to deliver the spiked drink to Yui in her room. What’s more the lack of water held us up further.”

Reiji remained quiet, hearing the sounds of carriages pulling up outside, no doubt police. He then smiled slightly. “Mn. Seems you’ve caught me, Detective.”

“Why?”

“Why do it?” He scoffed, adjusting his cuffs. “She was an eyesore. She never belonged in this prestigious family. That, and her reputation with Subaru would have reflected badly on this family if their secret got out. She was a whore for losing her innocence out of wedlock.”

Subaru cried out, shuddering and swiping at him. Shuu held fast.

“And you decide to do it now? While I’m still here? Not a very smart move.”

“Hm, yes well. I’d hoped you’d be distracted by Father’s case enough to not to solve this one. What’s more, I paid off that merchant to keep silent. You must have some substantial wealth yourself, Detective.”

Ruki avoided his eyes, heading to the door to allow the police in.

They led the second eldest Sakamaki away, and he went quietly, head held high, back straight. The Triplets watched with mild surprise, while Shuu remained solemn. Subaru, Ruki mused, bordered on hysterics.

Walking up to him, he reached into his pocket, pulling something out.

Red, hazy eyes refocused when something small and cool was placed into his palm. He blinked down at the rosary, glancing up at Ruki, who nodded.

“The morgue sent back this. I thought you should have it.”

Luckily Azusa had sent it when asked.

Subaru held the rosary close, bowing his head and trembling.

OOO

When it came time for Karl Heinz’s funeral, not one of his sons attended. Ruki stood with the servants and aristocrats, somewhat glad he had the excuse of the investigation to attend. His hand clenched into a fist at his side, blood racing hotly.

He knew Karl Heinz hadn’t been a perfect man. Or a perfect father. But those foolish sons could have at least come to pay their respects.

Without any other leads on top of this, his mood turned darker and darker, shuddering with frustration. He needed to do something to get results.

And fast.

OOO

Laito had been cornered when he’d happened to be alone down an ally, taking his usual shortcut into work. Laito made a noise as an arm covered his throat, pressing down and pinning him hard against the wall. Yuma loomed over him, eyes dark.

“What-“

“You’re going to start telling the truth, Mr. Sakamaki.” Quiet footsteps sounded out, before Ruki walked into view, adjusting his gloves. “We’re patient men, but our patience does have a limit.”

Laito smiled, chuckling weakly. “My, how scary~ Is this the part where you play good cop, bad co-“ the strong arm pressed harder, digging his skull into the brick behind him. Air rushed from Laito’s lungs and he squirmed, gripping the flesh and trying to pry it away. “Alright! Alright!” He wheezed.

Ruki rose a brow, waiting. “There’s something you haven’t told me about your Father’s death. You, or your brothers must have seen or heard a commotion. A small fire was started after all. Tell me.”

Coughing, Laito paused, weighing his options.

“Wouldn’t it be a pity, if say…your dear Brothel was uncovered by the police once and for all?” Ruki sighed with dismay.

Green eyes flickered. He then chuckled, swallowing. “We’d have noticed a Detective walking in.”

“Perhaps. But maybe you remember the gentleman holding you?” Ruki gestured to Yuma. “He knows where you hide the girls when there’s an inspection. He knows the ins and outs of the place very well. I’ll expose your business to everyone and you’ll be arrested right now if you don’t-“

“I saw Shuu,” Laito said quietly.

“What?”

“On the night of the murder, I saw Shuu leave Father’s bedroom. I was entertaining a lady friend you see, and she was to leave out the back door. I was seeing her off. When we crept out of my room together, we noticed him. He looked as though he’d been crying, shaking. The usual thing if he’s seen a fire. He had flecks of blood on his shirt if I’m not mistaken. She then left.”

Pausing, Ruki thought for a moment. “I’d like you to give me this woman’s details of where to find her. I’d like her to confirm.”

Laito nodded slightly. Yuma then backed off, causing the man to heave in quick breaths, clutching around his throat.

“One more thing. Was he holding the murder weapon or sheets at the time?”

“No, not that I remember.”

Ruki hummed, eyes narrowing. He then took Laito’s lover’s details to go follow up on a check, walking away with Yuma.

“Ya think it’s alright, being seen together?” Yuma muttered.

“It doesn’t matter if they know we’re working together now, Yuma. This case is nearly over by my estimation. I just need to find that shirt, if it still exists.”

OOO

Ruki searched the grounds with Yuma for a bloodied shirt. He opened draw after draw in Shuu’s room, unable to find one that looked newly scrubbed of stains. He asked the maids if Shuu was missing a shirt, or if they’d been asked to wash a bloodied one, but none of them knew anything.

He then sat down and thought for a while on a garden bench outside. The roses were truly beautiful. It was clear Subaru kept them maintained.

Ruki spied him cutting at a bush with some sheers, Yui’s rosary around his neck.

Yui…

Standing, Ruki’s eyes slightly widened. There was a place he hadn’t searched, out of respect for the dead. After all, Yui’s case was closed. No one would need to enter her room.

Hypothetically.

Hurrying inside, he took the stairs two at a time and burst into Miss Komori’s room, searching like a man possessed. He pulled out draws, opened wardrobes and shoe boxes, even going so far to pull up floorboards- when he finally found it.

Ruki lifted out a crisp white shirt covered in bloodstains.

Cornering a jittery maid outside the room, he demanded to know whose shirt it was- before a calm voice spoke up.

“It’s mine.”

Ruki turned. The narcoleptic blonde stared back listlessly, stifling a yawn.

“…You understand what that implies, don’t you?”

Shuu lifted a shoulder. “Mhm. Well, looks like you’ve found me out. Who told you about it?”

“Laito. It was a random choice. I just decided to target one of the Triplets to squeeze information out of.”

Listless blue eyes slid shut, and he hummed, leaning against the wall. It seemed as though his strength was leaving him.

“Why kill him? Karl Heinz…was no saint but-“

“He was going to kick me out of the house, because I refused to get a job.” Shuu drawled, loosely holding his arms.

Ruki stared. “That’s it? You murdered him for such a reason?”

Shuu shrugged, lapsing into silence. He was apparently done talking. It only boiled the detectives anger into a deep, seething resentment. The Mukami’s had been loyal sons till the end. But Karl’s flesh and blood treated him as such?

It blind sighted him.

“But your fear of fire- what of the blaze?”

“Ah, yeah that.” He sighed. “I knocked over the candelabra and freaked out. I wasn’t thinking clearly and changed the sheets. I wanted to remove any evidence of the fire cause I’d panicked and felt like it would point to me, but heard voices and left before I could-“

“Hack off his burned arm.” Ruki muttered, frowning. Something wasn’t adding up. Changing the sheets sounded very out of character for the lazy son, but then again, he didn’t look the murderous type either. He shook his head, trying to dispel the niggling questions in the back of his mind.

Sakamaki Shuu was arrested for the murder of Karl Heinz later that day.

The day after, Ruki Mukami packed his bags, preparing to leave Sakamaki manor.

“Feh, you finally off? Good riddance.” Ayato snipped, glaring at him from over the banister as Ruki carried his things downstairs.

The detective didn’t reply. He couldn’t help but think he was missing something. Something important.

“Ayato,” Kanato padded up to his brother, squeezing his teddy bear. “Where is Hilde? She has not tidied my room for several days now. I want her punished.”

Hilde. She had usually straightened Ruki’s bedding too. He’d figured they’d told her to stop attending to him. But it hardly mattered.

He picked up his bags and with the help of the butler, carried them out the door into a waiting carriage. While being carted away, Ruki glanced at the greenhouse, noticing Subaru working as usual inside. The youngest Sakamaki certainly had some lonely days ahead.

For some reason, Yui came to mind once more. Ruki leaned out of the carriage, calling to the driver their change of destination.

If he was saying goodbye to the case, it felt only right to bid her goodbye as well. And Azusa would always receive him warmly at the morgue downtown.

Ooo

Subaru Sakamaki barely noticed the carriage leaving, too caught up in his work. He needed to work now, more than anything. It was the only path left open to him to stop the turning of his mind as it scrambled and unhinged over and over again.

What if I’d just spent time with her at the party?

What if he hadn’t pushed her away?

What if-

Subaru slammed his fist into the glass, tears blurring his vision. Too late. Work wouldn’t help now. He stood on the precipice of despair. One little nudge and he’d fall on his own blade. His hand finds the rosary around his neck, squeezing so tight it shook.

“Yui…” he murmured, voice thin with disuse. “I’m…I’m so sorry.”

The tears rolled down his cheeks as he sat down amongst the flowers. He closed his eyes against the sting, before they peeled open and fate was cruel once more.

His beloved stood before him, and Subaru only cried harder, trembling. “Forgive me. Forgive me-“

“There’s nothing to forgive,” she said gently. The sun behind her caught the radiant blonde strands of her hair, making them shine like a golden halo.

Subaru shuddered, body pulsing with pain.

OOO

“Ah…hello Ruki,” Azusa smiled gently at him.

He nodded, feeling himself relax slightly. His brothers usually had that effect on him.

“What brings you… here?”

“I’d like to pay my respects to Yui Komori, if you still have her.”

Azusa nodded, gesturing to follow. “Mhm, she is…almost ready for her funeral. Come…”

Following the shorter man down the hallway, Ruki adjusted his clothes, hating how stifling the atmosphere felt. He didn’t much understand how Azusa could stomach the gloomy morgue.

They walked into a room with several storage units built into the walls, all made for housing bodies. Azusa opened one, pulling out a metal shelving unit. A lone body lay atop it, white sheet covering her from head to toe.

Ruki sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I don’t even know why I came here. It’s not like I know what to say.”

Azusa tilted his head. “Perhaps say…mn…you have been avenged?”

Taking a breath, Ruki leaned over the sheet slightly. “Yui. You can rest easy. Your murderer has been apprehended,” he said gently, peeling back the sheet to glimpse her face. “There’s no need for you to w-“

Ruki froze.

Looking between the two, Azusa blinked. “What’s wrong?”

OOO

Subaru stumbled to his feet, honestly uncaring if he fell on his sheers at this point. He padded towards Yui’s beautiful, angelic figure, his chapped lips curved up.

Finally, he collapsed into her arms.

Her very real, very physical arms. He turned his face into her neck, inhaling her scent as she make a noise of effort.

“S-subaru! You’re heavy!”

“Yeah well, you’re an angel. You should be able to hold my weight.” He mumbled.

Yui held his face then, kissing his lips and smiling gently. “I’m not an angel.”

Subaru frowned slightly, straightening. He then touched her cheek, patting it and stiffening. She felt warm. Real.

“You’re alive?!”

Yui giggled and nodded, taking his hand. “I am. But we have to go now.”

OOO

“What do you mean this isn’t Yui?”

Ruki turned to glare at Azusa, gesturing to the pale brunette girl. “This is Hilde. She was a maid at the Sakamaki Manor. I have to go- send word to Kou to go and observe Subaru Sakamaki. If she’s alive, she might get in contact with him. But it’s also possible Reiji is merely fucking with me.”

He grits his teeth, quickly storming out of the room. He couldn’t believe he’d been fooled! When had he switched them out? Was Yui dead or alive? Surely, she had to be dead! He’d checked her pulse himself. She’d looked just like any other body.

Taking one of the horses from the carriage, he set out alone, bidding it to gallop through the murky downtown streets. Fog lingered in the air. The horse’s hooves thundered on the cobblestone, passing pedestrians and nearly running them over.

Ruki panted, gripping the reins and urging the beast on. Soon enough, he swung his legs over and jumped from the saddle, racing inside the police station.

Ooo

Reiji happened to be enjoying a nice cup of tea in his cell when he was rudely interrupted.

“Where is she?” The detective snarled, looming outside the bars. “No more games. Where is miss Komori?” He demanded, voice quivering.

Raising a brow, Reiji shifted in his seat. “Ah, you’ve finally figured it out. Or was the swap something you stumbled across by accident?” He mocked.

“Tell me!” He snarled.

Reiji sighed, sipping from his cup. “Haven’t the faintest idea now. When I put her under, I allowed the police to take her away. But your undertaker isn’t the only staff who works there.” He smiles slightly. “Yes I know one of them is your brother. An Azusa Mukami correct? Next time you go undercover, you might want to change your last name. As it is, the undertaker I paid off snuck Yui out and placed another body in her place, as per my instruction.”

“So, you killed Hilde at the very least.”

He dismissed this. “She kept making basic mistakes and it was a necessary sacrifice.”

Ruki stopped. “Necessary? I don’t…understand.”

The Sakamaki chuckled, delighted. “I know. And it must enrage you. Don’t think me the romantic type, I didn’t do it for Yui or anyone. All this case has done is elevate me into the eyes of my peers in the world of science. You see, they refused to believe that I had made a chemically enhanced drink capable of rendering people into a corpse-like state. They wouldn’t allow me to demonstrate my findings, despite how surely amazing it is!” Red-wine eyes gleamed behind his glasses. “And now those fools and the public at large will now know that it can even fool a Detective. That is why I agreed to it. My work is out for all to see.”

“But Yui- why would she fake her death?” Ruki muttered to himself, thoughts racing to the blonde ward. But he could only think of her expression in the church, the desperation. “…For love,” he realised quietly. Somehow, it clicked.

Glancing up at the scientist, he noticed the man’s lips drawn into a slight sneer. “Indeed. You were getting too close to the truth. It was clear who you were going to arrest for Karl Heinz’s death. So, this was her idea to buy him time, enough for them to flee.”

Ruki’s eyes widened. “Subaru…Sakamaki.”

Reiji hummed, setting his chipped cup down on the less than adequate saucer. “Seems you’ve arrested the wrong man.”

“He…admitted to it though- it’s nonsensical if he didn’t-“ Ruki’s eyes widened, kicking the cell door. It rattled on its hinges. “That bastard. Shuu must have known his imprisonment would be temporary. That he’d be released as soon as I found out the culprit!”

“Who can say what that Good for Nothing thinks. He barely has a will to live. He probably doesn’t care if he’s set free.” Reiji drawls. “But you were somewhat right. Shuu was there in Karl’s room that night. And so was I. But Subaru got there first.”

Ruki pinched the bridge of his nose, heart racing. It had all been clear to see from the start. Such an easy case. Subaru’s forthright anger and somewhat lack of intelligence. The crime of passion- stabbing his father multiple times with his own knife because he was blind sighted by rage and didn’t have the foresight to plan a murder ahead.

And so it had fallen to his elder brothers to try and smooth things over.

“You’re the one who changed the sheets,” Ruki muttered.

“Mn, I arrived last. Shuu had followed Subaru to Father’s room and tried to stop the attack too late, but they foolishly started a small fire. Naturally the fool got hysterical. There was no water nearby so Subaru like the genius he is-“ Reiji cut his eyes to the ceiling. “Tried to cut Father’s burning arm off in order to get rid of it and calm Shuu. I heard the crying as I passed by and entered to complete mayhem. Changing the sheets was the only was to calm him down. Subaru discarded his shirt and the murder weapon and Shuu left. I destroyed the ruined sheet.”

“…The shirt I found in Yui’s room was Subaru’s not Shuu’s. He must have gone there after…” Ruki trailed off. Did Shuu truly care for his brother enough to take the fall for him?

Thinking back on the incident with the fireplace, he supposed so. And Yui had known everything from the start. Worked to protect her sweetheart.

Ruki shook his head. There was only one question left.

“Why kill Karl in the first place?”

Reiji adjusts his glasses. “That I do not know.”

It was possible his mother’s shaken sanity was enough of a reason, but he’d heard Christa had been taken mentally ill when Subaru was a child. It couldn’t be the reason or surely Subaru would have struck sooner.

“…Your actions were foolish. You’ll still be tried for murder.”

“Murder of a mere maid, not a Lady. But I hardly care. My life’s work will be acknowledged.”

Squeezing his eyes shut against the pounding of his temples, Ruki turned without a second glance. Kou would be tailing Subaru. Hopefully he’d made it in time. But he could need backup to apprehend the lovers if they’d made their escape.

So where would they go to leave?

He thought of a single pamphlet Ruki had found in Yui’s room when searching for the shirt. One advertising a new ship that could make the crossing to Germany three times faster than usual. Ruki had dismissed it as a girl’s fanciful dreaming to escape. But maybe that hadn’t been all it was.

Instincts rose up in Ruki’s chest, and he followed them to his horse, clicking his tongue to begin galloping anew.

OOO

The Port of London lay along the banks of the River Thames from the capital to the North Sea.

Unfortunately, it was one of the largest in the world.

Ruki didn’t have a clue where to start in order to find the vessel he wanted.

A ship known simply as Rotigenberg.

He’d told the police of the truth of the murderers and his hunch before he’d left but not even his reputation had gotten them to move based on no concrete evidence. The ships lining the docks were large and imposing, so numerous Ruki couldn’t keep track.

The horse trotted down the docks, and he kept track of the names of the ships as best he could. Seeing children suddenly rush by, he hissed and yanked the reins, halting just shy of hitting them.

“Careful!” He snapped.

The street urchins looked up at him, and Ruki stopped, his heart clenching.

“We’re sorry, sir-“

“It’s just that THE Kou Mukami is singing for free further ahead!” The little girl interrupted the older boy.

Ruki’s eyes widened. “He is?” That was good thinking. He quickly urged the horse around the children and urged it into a gallop, straining his ears for his brother’s distinct singing voice.

He found Kou soon enough, having attracted quite a crowd around him. Kou caught his eye and nodded, pointing at the ship opposite him.

Rotigenberg awaited.

Kou soon hopped down from the make-shift stage, ignoring the saddened crowd as he joined Ruki’s side. “I only took my eyes off them for a second- but I know they boarded this one. Mr. Subaru’s hair is too distinct,” he grinned.

“Well done Kou,” Ruki muttered, boarding the ship.

“Mhm~ so uh quick question though; how in the hell is miss Komori still alive? I thought I was seeing things when they got into a carriage together!”

“It’s a long story. I’ll explain later, once we’ve apprehended them.”

“Do you have a ticket, sir?” A stern looking man in a uniform stopped them at the end of the boardwalk.

Ruki opened his jacket, handing him stamped papers. “I’m here on an investigation, it won’t take long. Can you hold the ship to wait until we’re done?”

“You’d have to take that up with the Captain, not myself.” The man said flatly.

Kou cut his eyes to the heavens, but neither argued.

“That’s fine, but if passengers under the name Sakamaki attempt to leave this vessel, you will stop them. Failure to do so may result in the loss of your job if I inform the chief of police of your impediment of the case.” Ruki said breezily, walking by.

Kou held in a chuckle until they were further away. “Geeze, ruthless.” He teased.

The both of them soon hurried around the deck, searching for Subaru’s unmissable hair.

“What were they wearing?”

“Nothing too distinct. He was in a grey suit and darker grey coat that looked like it had seen better days. She was in a black dress and bonnet.” Kou hummed.

Still in mourning? Ruki thought. “We’ll search the lower decks- the boiler room if we have to. Start from the stern and open every cabin. I’ll work my way to you from the other direction after speaking with the Captain.”

Kou nodded and the two parted ways. The blonde hurried down the stairs, disappearing from sight and heading towards the lower-class rooms first.

Ruki padded up the iron stairs, holding onto the railing and jolting as a horn blew. To his surprise and annoyance, the ship started moving, departing from the harbour slowly.

Gritting his teeth, he took the steps two at a time towards the Captain’s wheelhouse, chancing a look at the ship departing next to theirs. It was a smaller vessel, with a humble green lettering on the side.

The Eden.

Ruki stopped dead.

OOO

Kou panted, opening door after door and disturbing people in various states of unpacking or dress. As he jogged down a hallway however, his heart leapt. A white-haired young man coupled with a small blonde woman were wandering away from him, dressed exactly as he remembered.

Rushing forward, Kou elbowed people out the way, grabbing Subaru’s shoulder and turning him.

Only for a man with blue eyes to blink back at him with confusion. He held his wig when it slipped.

Horror and humiliation welled up in Kou’s stomach. He suddenly grabbed the man’s collar. “Who the hell are you?!”

“P-please! W-we’re no one, we just wanted to sail somewhere,” the woman with brown eyes cried.

Kou could tell they were poor folk masquerading as grand. “Start talking! Now!”

“A-a pretty Lady approached us yesterday and gave us tickets to this ship. All we had to do was dress as she instructed and wear wigs. We picked her up with her lover t-today from her home in a carriage.”

The singer’s eyes widened. “W-what? When you got off…onto this ship…where did the Lady and her man go?”

OOO

There, on the opposite ship, standing at the railing together, was the couple he’d been searching for.

Subaru had pulled up a hood, his arms wrapped around the petite woman’s waist. She held onto him, eyes on Ruki.

It was as though he’d been suspended in a deep dark ocean. The waters flew up over Ruki’s head, making him slow to react. The ships were drifting further and further away.

He wanted to know why. Why a girl with such clear, bright eyes, would become complicit with murder. Why she embraced a man whose hands were tainted with the blood of his Father.

The strong breeze tugged at their hair and clothes. The distance between the ships might as well be oceans. Ruki thought of calling across to it. To make a commotion and point the murderer out.

Rose-pink eyes flashed, and Yui seemed to hold Subaru closer, clinging tight.

You’re determined to protect him, aren’t you miss Komori? Ruki stared back at her.

“Ruki- Ruki!” Kou called from down below, panting. “We’ve been had- urgh.” He wheezed. “They must have caught another ride. What do we do?”

The detective shifted, glancing back at The Eden. Only the lovers had disappeared into the crowd.

Ruki stood for a little while, feeling the ocean spray mingle with the salty sea air and fan over his cheeks, catching in his hair. Putting his hands into his pockets, pale lips curved, lashes lowering.

“I guess this is your win,” he muttered, padding down the stairs.

“Ruki?”

“We enjoy Germany, Kou.”

“Hah?!”

Ruki patted him on the shoulder in passing, walking to the railing and leaning on it. “My reputation as a Detective is probably ruined. I could use a holiday.”

Kou gaped, joining him. “But…why do you seem like you’re giving up?”

“There’s no giving up on a game you’ve already lost. It’s better to admit defeat gracefully,” he looked out at the ocean calmly, dark bangs fanning over his eyes briefly. “Besides, for some reason…I feel like our Father wouldn’t want any man to interfere with miss Komori’s wishes.”

“…Why?”

He lifted a shoulder. “A feeling. I’ve seen a lot of filth, lust, wrath and despair in my time on these cases. But I’ve never seen eyes so clear and innocent on an accomplice. Looking at her…I think I understand why he made her his ward. He wanted to obtain something pure.”

Kou stared at him like he was mad, and maybe he was, but Ruki didn’t much care. He had been the one to assign himself the case. Karl had never written him asking to expose his murderer should he be killed. And he’d been a very thorough man. There was still countless secrets Karl had taken to the grave with him that they’d never know.

“It seems Subaru Sakamaki was chosen as her Adam.”

“Huh?”

Ruki smiled wryly, closing his eyes.

“It’s nothing.”

OOO

“…Do you think he’ll come after us?” Subaru rumbled, leaning into Yui from behind.

“No, I don’t. Though I couldn’t say why,” she said gently, turning from the railing to look at him. She then gave a breath-taking smile.

Subaru stared at her, his heart thundering as a warm feeling flooded his veins. He didn’t know why she’d decided to remain at his side through everything. They couldn’t even say how or why the thing between them had started. Subaru had been simultaneously lonely and angry his entire life, but she’d kept approaching him, wanting to befriend him. She would sit in the garden for hours on end.

It had been ridiculously easy to love her. She had a presence that was gentle and kind.

Which was why on the day he’d removed himself from the will and he’d glimpsed the new terms- rage had seized him.

Whoever killed Father would gain Yui? Such a thing incensed him in a way nothing else had. What’s more, he’d seen the way his brothers looked at her. How their gazes lingered, thoughts strayed.

Don’t touch her!

So, he’d stuck that silver knife deep into Father’s chest- stabbing again and again- letting out years of pent up hatred.

When Shuu and Reiji arrived, they’d sent him away, and he’d stumbled in a daze into Yui’s waiting arms in her room. Though confused and horrified, she hadn’t screamed. She hadn’t said much of anything. She just held him.

In that same daze, he’d hidden his shirt and the murder weapon. It was only afterwards he’d realised how dirty his hands were. The blood had set in deep. He felt it in the scuffs of his coarse knuckles. He’d then resolved never to touch Yui again. With Father gone, she was free to choose who she wanted, he didn’t care if he hung for it.

But…

“Why did you choose me?” He grumbled, jumping at her touch.

Yui cupped his cheek, blushing slightly. The breeze playfully lifted her blonde locks up to dance in the breeze.

“You were just protecting me in your own way. A-and anyway…it’s because I love you, Subaru. I did all this because I wanted to protect you too.”

Subaru stared at her with wide eyes, before he tugged her closer, pressing his lips to hers.

“Idiot.”

OOO

After their impromptu holiday to Germany, Kou and Ruki Mukami returned to the shambles of the investigation they’d left behind.

Shuu Sakamaki was released from prison, not that he seemed to care.

The Triplets carried on with their shady business, unchanged by the experience.

Reiji’s full research was not made known to the public, but it was explored and hailed among his peers in the scientific community. Though he’d attended his court hearing and tried with murder- receiving the death sentence to be hung. Reiji had apparently taken his own life while in his cell.

Ruki had his own suspicions about that, but since he’d been let go from his position, he had no reason to investigate.

Instead, the former Detective had accepted the ridicule levelled at him, with many assuming he’d fallen prey to miss Komori’s ‘womanly charms’ which had impeded his logic and cost him the case. Despite this, he was considering becoming an information broker or Private Detective in the future, but for now he owned a book store and contented himself with reading.

His favourites were the ones involving mysteries, much like the ones he used to solve.

When asked by his brothers if he regretted his decision to let the lovers go, Ruki would dismiss their question. It did not escape their notice that he’d received something in the mail however, and sometimes he could be seen dipping his hand into his pocket, absentmindedly touching the rosary within.

#Diabolik lovers #diabolik lovers fanfiction #Ruki mukami #yui komori #dialovers #subaru sakamaki #reiji sakamaki #shuu sakamaki #ayato sakamaki #laito sakamaki #kanato sakamaki #Yuma mukami #azusa mukami #kou mukami

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crazyfreckledginger · 5 years

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Sakamaki Brothers x Reader - “Thirty Second Nightmare” [Part 2]

Being a bride had turned out better than imagined. The brothers adored you as you slowly grew on them despite your ‘overly friendly nature’. They became very close to you, showing you love in their own way, even if they would never admit it. On a particular boring day, you persuade them to play games with you, even though they agreed, you find out the game you had planned turned out to be more disturbing than fun.

A/N: Here’s part two since this got too long lol!

Warnings: maybe language, still no proofreading, sorry!

“You’re in my group!” Laito smirked. His brothers glared at him.

“No, she will be with Yours Truly!” Ayato pointed accusingly to his brother.

“Actually, I can’t be on teams since I wrote the lists of words a while ago, it might be cheating.” She informed, “so you will sort out the teams and the ones who guess the higher amount of words in 30 seconds win,” a grin found her way on features.

“Choose your groups” The girl instructed. The brothers went silent, not move and only keeping their eyes fixated on (Y/N) with an indifferent expression.

“Um, what are you waiting for?” She gulped nervously.

“I don’t want to be with them,” Shu answered.

“I’ll make the groups then,” Her eyes rolled before she hummed in thought.

“Shu and Subaru, Laito and Reiji and finally, Kanato and Ayato,” They grumbled softly, sitting respectively with their assigned brother.

“Okay, Shu and Subaru first.” She murmured, opening the app of her phone, which was finally accessible by the approval of the brothers and pressed the ‘start’ button on the stopwatch, “It’s something sharp-”

“A KNIFE!” Subaru yelled instantly. Her eyes widened in surprise, completely caught off guard by his already correct reply.

“Yes,” She nodded still in shock, scribbling the score on a notepad. Shu nudged his youngest brother victoriously, “one point for the eldest and youngest,”

“Okay, next one,” She quickly glanced at the phone before continuing.

“The verb employed for doing something to a dead body in a cemetery-”

“Kill it!” Subaru answered.

“It’s already dead genius!” Shu scoffed.

“Kill it again!!” The youngest called out again.

“What? N-no!” The girl’s eyes widened in shock. The phone buzzed, indicating the end of their chance.

“The answer was ‘to bury’,” Laito smirked, biting his lip in amusement, “who’s next?” He winked at her.

“Ayato and Kanato,” (Y/N) informed.

“Yay!” The purpled-haired Sakamaki cheered.

“Don’t mess up!” Ayato pointed to his younger brother, to which he nodded in understanding.

“Okay,” The girl pressed the stopwatch and turned back to the pair.

“It’s food that-”

“Takoyaki!” Ayato grinned widely.

“Yes, that’s correct,” She nodded, “now, they are children’s toys that can be put in a house -- some people say they also hold some kind of spirit or ghost-” “Dolls!!” Kanato yelled, nearly making the girl fall to the floor in shock and surprise.

“Um, yes,” She nodded, smiling softly, snapping out of it before continuing.

“Oh, a series of movies, you guys say it’s really bad and a very inaccurate representation of vampires, it is disappointing,”

“Ugh, Twilight!” Ayato rolled his eyes as if it was the most obvious answer in the world.

“Yes-” The phone buzzed, interrupting the game. The girl turned it off, looking at her sheet of paper, “Subaru and Shu: 1 point, Ayato and Kanato: 3 points!”

“You suck Shu,” Subaru grumbled, earning a small smirk from his eldest brother in amusement.

“Next, Laito and Reiji,” (Y/N) announced, quickly jotting the scores down.

“Okay, go,” pressing on the phone app again “It’s something I like-”

“ME!” Laito answered, smiling smugly.

“No, let me finish, it’s something I like doing with Shu-”

“Cuddling,” Reiji replied bitterly, glancing at his older brother with a sharp gaze, only answering with a satisfied grin.

“Y-yes,” The girl blushed, not remembering writing that word down when she decided to make the list, “erm, okay, quickly, something Laito can’t live without,”

“Women,” Reiji and Laito said in unison, looking at each other, the former with an unimpressed expression on his face and the latter with a proud smirk.

“It isn’t something to be proud of Laito,” the second eldest explained matter-of-factly.

“It should, women are great, especially if you’re a great guy, you should try it sometime-”

“Laito, be nice,” The girl instructed, seeing Reiji’s scold deepen, a dangerous expression on his face.

“But no, it’s not women,” She shook her head.

“What-” The phone vibrated again. The girl sighed.

“No points for you guys,” She informed.

“It was that ugly fedora of yours Laito,” Subaru explained. Laito pouted lightly.

“So the winners are Ayato and Kanato,” She announced, grinning widely.

“Yay, what is our prize?” Kanato smiled, hugging Teddy tighter. The girl’s eyes widened, the thought never occurred to her.

Suddenly, Ayato smirked mischievously.

“No,” Laito glared, his brothers copying his action as if they knew exactly what he would be asking for. Kanato and the girl raised an eyebrow, clearly oblivious about what he was asking for.

“Yes,” Ayato chuckled, “the prize is you (Y/N),”

“Er-”

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salems-varieties · 5 years

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Anime for Halloween

I should have posted this before my movies list. But hell, It’s here now and Y’all can binge-watch over the next month. But little disclaimer. These are anime I have seen and ones I associate with Halloween because they have to do with something from the holiday. So anything with Vampires, witches, demons, etc. Anything I got a Halloween-y vibe from. This list is gonna be kind of long. Now time for me to suffer typing it and yall to get an idea from reading it.

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Title

Synopsis

My thoughts on the Anime

Everything in bold is strictly my opinion. Agree to disagree with me, and put down your own opinion in repost or in the comments but be respectful. Rude or anything of the sort will be deleted or reported depending on the severity.

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07-Ghost

Teito Klein, a student at the academy, is one of the most promising soldiers produced. Although ridiculed by everyone for being a sklave (German for slave) with no memories of his past, he is befriended by a fellow student called Mikage. While preparing for the final exam, Teito uncovers a dark secret related to his past. When an attempt to assassinate Ayanami, a high-ranking official who killed his father, fails, Teito is locked away awaiting punishment.

This one is religious, HOWEVER, Demons and the Gods of Death kinda make it more Halloween-y so :p Also as a side note; It’s only subbed so all y’all who prefer dub are gonna be disappointed.

Ancient Magus Bride

Chise Hatori, a 15-year-old Japanese girl, was sold for five million pounds at an auction to a tall masked gentleman. Abandoned at a young age and ridiculed by her peers for her unconventional behavior, she was ready to give herself to any buyer if it meant having a place to go home to. In chains and on her way to an unknown fate, she hears whispers from robed men along her path, gossiping and complaining that such a buyer got his hands on a rare "Sleigh Beggy." Ignoring the murmurs, the mysterious man leads the girl to a study, where he reveals himself to be Elias Ainsworth—a magus. After a brief confrontation and a bit of teleportation magic, the two open their eyes to Elias' picturesque cottage in rural England. Greeted by fairies and surrounded by weird and wonderful beings upon her arrival, these events mark the beginning of Chise's story as the apprentice and supposed bride of the ancient magus.

I love this one so much. My only issue is what would have made it more Halloween inspired would have been if they’s gone through Samhain and not skipped straight to Yule. BUT monsters, mages, witches, alchemists, and fae make this anime perfect for magic inspire Halloween watch.

Another

In 1972, a popular student in Yomiyama North Middle School's class 3-3 named Misaki passed away during the school year. Since then, the town of Yomiyama has been shrouded by a fearful atmosphere, from the dark secrets hidden deep within.

Horror, horror, horror and gore. Enjoy this with friends and family who have a strong stomach and are old enough to not get scared. The deaths are absolutely horrific and it takes place all around a middle school class. (Read the novel, of the same name, it’s based off if you dare)

Ao no Exorcist

Humans and demons are two sides of the same coin, as are Assiah and Gehenna, their respective worlds. The only way to travel between the realms is by the means of possession, like in ghost stories. However, Satan, the ruler of Gehenna, cannot find a suitable host to possess and therefore, remains imprisoned in his world. In a desperate attempt to conquer Assiah, he sends his son instead, intending for him to eventually grow into a vessel capable of possession by the demon king.

Anyone who’s been around anime long enough knows or knows of this anime. Who wouldn’t have added this into their Halloween Anime list? It has to do with Demons and the Son of Satan.

Black Butler

Young Ciel Phantomhive is known as "the Queen's Guard Dog," taking care of the many unsettling events that occur in Victorian England for Her Majesty. Aided by Sebastian Michaelis, his loyal butler with seemingly inhuman abilities, Ciel uses whatever means necessary to get the job done. But is there more to this black-clad butler than meets the eye?

Classic as well. Don’t forget the movies and season 3. We don’t speak of season 2 0.0″ Also the manga has taken a VERY dark turn as of recent so if you’re looking for reading material, there you go.

Blood-C

Peaceful schoolgirl by day, fearsome monster slayer by night, Saya Kisaragi is leading a split life. Equipped with a ceremonial sword given to her by her father for sacred tasks, she vanquishes every monster who dares threaten her quiet little village. But all too soon, Saya's reality and everything she believes to be true is tested, when she overhears the monsters speak of a broken covenant—something she knows nothing about. And then, unexpectedly, a strange dog appears; it asks her to whom she promised to protect the village, curious as to what would happen if she were to break that promise. Tormented by unexplainable visions and her world unraveling around her, we travel with Saya through her struggle to find a way to the truth in a village where nothing is as it seems.

Another very gory anime. Children, please do avoid.

Bloodivores

60 years ago, a strange case of insomnia struck the population, forcing them to stay awake for more than a full week. The victims, completely sleep deprived, all went mad. To cure this illness, a new medicine was produced, but the side effects turned the patients into vampires. Humanity went to war against this new species and triumphed, but some of the vampires managed to survive. Born from a Human and a Vampire, the main character Mi Liu, "The Child of Hope," is to represent the new hope that will connect the two species. Ringleader of a bank robbery, Mi Liu is arrested and transferred to a special prison of the National Defense Agency that monitors Vampires.

Genetically created vampires. Need I say more?

Blood Lad

Staz Charlie Blood is a powerful vampire who rules the Eastern district of Demon World. According to rumors, he is a bloodthirsty and merciless monster, but in reality, Staz is just an otaku obsessed with Japanese culture and completely uninterested in human blood. Leaving the management of his territory to his underlings, Staz spends his days lazing around, indulging in anime, manga, and games.

A vampire otaku... Thank you, this is exactly what I needed.

D.Gray-Man

Losing a loved one is so painful that one may sometimes wish to be able to resurrect them—a weakness that the enigmatic Millennium Earl exploits. To make his mechanical weapons known as "Akuma," he uses the souls of the dead that are called back. Once a soul is placed in an Akuma, it is trapped forever, and the only way to save them is to exorcise them from their vessel using the Anti-Akuma weapon, "Innocence."

*Piece of advice. D. Gray-Man the first series was not finished in Dub if you’re one who prefers Dub. So heading into D. Gray-Man Hollow, you’ll be confused as hell. It’s best to just watch Sub so you don’t have to worry about missing a huge chunk of info.

But if you like anime about demons and exorcists there’s more than just Blue Exorcist. This one I suggest because it’s phenomenal, but that’s personal opinion XD

Dance with Devils

Ritsuka Tachibana has always been a good student, so she is completely shocked when she is suddenly summoned by the student council. Even more, they seem to think of Ritsuka as a troublemaker. Led by the handsome Rem Kaginuki, the student council—also consisting of Urie Sogami, Shiki Natsumizaka, and Mage Nanashiro—tries to question her, but it soon becomes clear that they have ulterior motives.

This is one based off an Otome (Dating game) so try YT for gameplay if you wanna see the whole story. Yet another about demons and exorcists, but this time there are vampires and Cerberus added to the mix. Plus for those who know-how Otome heroines are basically pushovers, this one has a strong-willed girl as our protagonist. Thank you, Ritsuka for breaking the mold T/\T

Diabolik Lovers

At the behest of her father, Yui Komori goes to live in a secluded mansion, home to the six Sakamaki brothers—Shuu, Reiji, Ayato, Kanato, Laito, and Subaru—a family of vampires. Though at first the siblings are confused as to why the girl has arrived, they soon realize that she is to be their new "sacrificial bride," not to mention their other, more carnal intentions for her. After meeting the brothers, Yui quickly begins to question why her father would have sent her here and why she feels a strange, new pain in her chest. With each brother more sadistic than the last, Yui's life as a captive takes a harrowing turn in her new home. As her days turn into endless nights, and each brother vows to make her his own, Yui falls deeper and deeper into madness and ecstasy.

Otome with like 4? games, try YT for gameplay. I’m a little sad that it only has two seasons and the episodes are like 13-15 minutes long. Still, if you like Otome based games, you’ve most likely seen this. DO NOT EXPECT VANILLA ROMANCE. THIS IS NOT A FUN RIDE IF YOU EXPECT THAT.

Death Note

A shinigami, as a god of death, can kill any person—provided they see their victim's face and write their victim's name in a notebook called a Death Note. One day, Ryuk, bored by the shinigami lifestyle and interested in seeing how a human would use a Death Note, drops one into the human realm.

Classic... But not my personal cup of tea. I added it because it’s a salute to one of my dear friends.

Little Witch Academia

"A believing heart is your magic!"—these were the words that Atsuko "Akko" Kagari's idol, the renowned witch Shiny Chariot, said to her during a magic performance years ago. Since then, Akko has lived by these words and aspired to be a witch just like Shiny Chariot, one that can make people smile. Hence, even her non-magical background does not stop her from enrolling in Luna Nova Magical Academy.

This one is just cute and intense. Witches are starting to die out but one girl wants desperately to be a witch like her idol was. I love how this brings in witchy elements and some fairy tale elements.

Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist

The story revolves around William, an aristocratic family's progeny with rare intellect. One day, his uncle lost his possessions after his business failed. Fearing that his family's name has been tarnished, William returns home and searches with his family's butler for anything that can be converted into cash. A search of the premises yields an underground room left by an ancestor. In the room is a magical seal, and William unintentionally summons a devil. The summoned devil tells William his name Dantalion and reveals that William is the designator who can choose the acting ruler of the demon world.

If realists were like William, I think the world would be on fire. The poor people that have to deal with him. At least most of them are demons, maybe that will knock his head into gear... right?

Miira No Kaikata

High school student Sora Kashiwagi is accustomed to receiving bizarre presents from his father, who is on an expedition around the world. Unfortunately, these gifts have been nothing but nightmares. As a result, when his father sends him a huge package from Egypt, Sora prepares himself for the worst, only to be greeted by Mii-kun—a cute, pint-sized mummy! While initially wary, Sora soon learns that Mii-kun is harmless, a delicate creature yearning for attention.

I can understand people who don’t like horror or gore. I was there once. So here’s a cute anime about a boy and his pet mummy. Sanrio really did a great job turning the manga, which was darker than the anime, into something so cute and so wholesome.

Mirai Nikki

Lonely high school student, Yukiteru Amano, spends his days writing a diary on his cellphone while conversing with his two seemingly imaginary friends Deus Ex Machina, who is the god of time and space, and Murmur, the god's servant. Revealing himself to be an actual entity, Deus grants Yukiteru a "Random Diary," which shows highly descriptive entries based on the future and forces him into a bloody battle royale with 11 other holders of similarly powerful future diaries.

I have no word on this.

Owari no Seraph

With the appearance of a mysterious virus that kills everyone above the age of 13, mankind becomes enslaved by previously hidden, power-hungry vampires who emerge in order to subjugate society with the promise of protecting the survivors, in exchange for donations of their blood.

The Apocolypse starts and vampires rule the world. I dunno if that sounds like heaven or hell for me? But in this world, it would certainly be hell. Vampires rule the world but that doesn't mean the humans are gone. An army rises to protect what’s left from the bloodsuckers. And did I mention demons? Along with the concept of corrupt angels? Oh yeah, that’s gotta be hell on earth.

Pandora Hearts

To young Oz Vessalius, heir to the Vessalius Duke House, the perilous world called the Abyss is nothing more than a folktale used to scare misbehaving children. However, when Oz's coming-of-age ceremony is interrupted by the malicious Baskerville Clan intent on banishing him into the depths of the Abyss, the Vessalius heir realizes that his peaceful life of luxury is at its end. Now, he must confront the world of the Abyss and its dwellers, the monstrous "Chains," which are both not quite as fake as he once believed.

I couldn't have found a better gif for this anime. It’s Alice in Wonderland inspired but with a much darker twist than what Disney gave us (and yes I do mean both the original and the Tim Burton version). Enjoy this one because it’s not all dark there is humor to break up the heart-wrenching. But don’t expect it to always be comical.

Phantom in the Twilight

Set in modern-day London, the story takes place in a world where "Shadows" are born from human fear and anxiety. A young girl arrives to study abroad, only to be caught in a bizarre incident as she enters university. In a city with no acquaintances, the helpless girl wanders into "Café Forbidden," a mysterious café that exclusively opens at midnight. She meets an assortment of handsome men employed at the café, where guardians who protect the boundary between humans and shadow convene

Vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and even demons; this one would be great for Halloween. I will admit though, it’s lackluster considering these guys are supposed to be Dracula, the Wolfman, and so on. It might be someone’s cup of tea, just not everyone’s

Rosario to Vampire

Youkai Academy is a seemingly normal boarding school, except that its pupils are monsters learning to coexist with humans. All students attend in human form and take normal academic subjects, such as literature, gym, foreign language, and mathematics. However, there is one golden rule at Youkai Academy—all humans found on school grounds are to be executed immediately!

I couldn’t get through this one. I’m not gonna lie. It was basically light hentai and I’m not into that kinda stuff, but I feel like someone would have called me out for it not being here so T-T

Servamp

Mahiru Shirota firmly believes that simple is best and troublesome things should be avoided at all costs. It is troublesome to do nothing and regret it later—and this ideology has led the 15-year-old to pick up a stray cat on his way home from school. As he affectionately names the feline Kuro, little does he know that this chance meeting will spark an extraordinary change in his everyday life.

I’m gonna be completely honest, the manga was better. I love the anime don’t get me wrong. I’ve rewatched it many times. But it cut out so much from the manga. So as an anime, watch it first before reading the manga, then go back and nitpick. If you do it the other way around you may be more disappointed.

Soul Eater

Death City is home to the famous Death Weapon Meister Academy, a technical academy headed by the Shinigami—Lord Death himself. Its mission: to raise "Death Scythes" for the Shinigami to wield against the many evils of their fantastical world. These Death Scythes, however, are not made from physical weapons; rather, they are born from human hybrids who have the ability to transform their bodies into Demon Weapons, and only after they have consumed the souls of 99 evil beings and one witch's soul. This one is perfect for Halloween with it’s dark but funny themes. If you prefer the cutesier stuff like I do sometimes try Soul Eater NOT! The concept of soul-eating monsters and a school that teaches teens to fight and destroy them, A+ content. Plus some of those teens turn into actual weapons. Where is my sign up sheet? I would gladly take that over normal boring high school. Also add the grim reaper into the mix then give him a funny voice and disposition. Gold I tell ya.

Togainu no Chi

In the wake of a third world war that left Japan in ruins, an organization known as Vischio seized control of Tokyo and renamed it Toshima. Taking place in its back alleys are battle games known as Igura, overseen by the Vischio, in which contestants battle and bathe in each other's blood to earn the chance to go up against its tournament's king, Il-re.

This one is for all my lovely fujoshi/fudanshi peoples. It’s a dark anime and based off a rated M, BL Otome. Sinners welcome.

Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo has become a cruel and merciless city—a place where vicious creatures called “ghouls” exist alongside humans. The citizens of this once great metropolis live in constant fear of these bloodthirsty savages and their thirst for human flesh. However, the greatest threat these ghouls pose is their dangerous ability to masquerade as humans and blend in with society.

This one is mainstream for a reason. It’s a good story, anime or manga. Mainly manga. Anyway, I haven’t seen Re yet, but I’ve heard it’s sheit. Still gonna watch it though cause why the hell not.

Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru

Growing up as an orphan, Yuki Sakurai questions his reason for living and the ability to see a person's painful memory by simply touching them. After receiving anonymous notes telling him to die, Yuki is unable to shake off the nagging feeling forming inside of him. Unbeknownst to him, he is being watched, both by people who want to harm him and those who want to protect him.

Reincarnation from a girl to a boy and the girl had a hot lover that is now with her male reincarnation. And the lover is a vampire. Man, that’s confusing but the story is good. I have yet to read the manga. The anime was great from what I can remember, so give it a shot. It’s another BL anime, so proceed with caution.

Vampire Knight

Cross Academy is an elite boarding school with two separate, isolated classes: the Day Class and the Night Class. On the surface, Yuuki Cross and Zero Kiryuu are prefects of the academy and attempt to keep order between the students as classes rotate in the evenings. As the Night Class is full of utterly gorgeous elites, this can sometimes prove to be a bit difficult. It is completely necessary, however, as those "elites" are actually vampires. Yuuki and Zero act as guardians, protecting the secrets of the Night Class and the safety of their ignorant morning counterparts.

If twilight was an anime, but Bella and Edward were siblings and Jacob was another vampire. This is not a great anime but let's face it, some of us watched it as preteens, enjoyed it, and were head over heels for Zero and/or Kaname. It’s a trash anime, but great for those who are 21 and over. Do I hear drinking games, anyone?

All synopsis came from My Anime List (where the links take you). Also, I’m sorry it’s a lot to read, I just didn’t want to cut them down. Feel free to add what you think should have been on here, or what you think is a Halloween favorite on reposts. Comments are welcome and have a happy spooky season!

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flatstarcarcosa · 5 years

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8,’sunbathing’

@therailwayarms

“It’s hot, and I’m going to die,” Reese says. Slade quirks an eyebrow as he tosses a bag of ice in the buggy. “You don’t even like the beach anyway,” they add. He snorts.

“I moved to Florida, I have a beachfront condo, and sometimes,” he says, hooking a finger through the front and tugging the buggy behind him, prompting Reese to follow, “I like to go to the beach.”

“You don’t exactly strike me as the sunbathing type,” they say.

“Maybe I want to work on my tan,” he says, directing the cart towards the nearest checkout. Reese frowns, shuffling their feet and leaning against the handle.

“I can’t go to the beach,” they mumble. Slade pauses, holding the bag of ice suspended over the conveyor belt for a moment.

“What?” he asks, setting it down and reaching for the 12 pack of beer. “I don’t know how you’re 22 and still so averse to tampons. Especially considering your lack of concern for anything else you can theoretically sho-”

His sentence is cut off with a deep grunt as Reese slams the buggy into his ribs.

“Hey,” Reese hisses, “you wanna lose that last eye you got left?” He says nothing, holding his hands up defensively as he slinks towards the front of the line. He makes sure to stay behind them, and the buggy, on the walk to the car.

“You’re lucky I’m too tired to be offended you think because I said I can’t go to the beach it has to be my period,” they say, crossing their arms as he hops into the bed of his trunk to dump the beer and ice into a cooler.

“I only assumed it was because I know you know I’m letting you use ‘I don’t want to’ as an excuse,” he says. “So what else is it?” Reese shuffles their feet again, making a noise in their throat that could be annoyance-- or embarrassment, he hasn’t quite been able to always peg down the difference between them yet.

“I don’t have a binder I can swim in,” they say.

“What’s wrong with the one you’re wearing?” he asks, snapping the tail gate shut. Reese blinks behind their sunglasses, as yet unused to someone acknowledging them wearing a binder without it predicating violence.

“It’s the only one I have,” they say, stumbling just slightly over the words. “And it’s not really made for swimming-- I mean technically none of them are, but there’s a few on the market that supposedly put effort into being designed specifically for swimming that I’ve heard good things about.”

They’re still rambling as they buckle their seat-belt, Slade having unknowingly tapped into a previously untapped well of information. He files it all away of course, not quite to the back of his mind, but not entirely at the forefront either.

“They’re just like fucking $100 dollars or something with shipping,” Reese says, “which I mean technically I have? But something always comes up, every time. Like- GOD the fucking car battery last month! I swear to fucking god if one more thing goes wrong on my car I’m going to trade the bitch in for a Subaru.”

“You’d die before you ever drive a Subaru,” Slade says idly as he pulls out at the light. He couldn’t tell you how exactly he’s so sure of this, but he’d bet money he’s right.

“Well you got me there,” Reese says, proving his hunch correct.

“Fine,” he finally says as he turns into the condo parking lot, “I’ll go to the beach by myself but I can’t promise I have the ability to fight off the divorced snowbirds this time. If they eat me alive, you’ll have to suffer that on your conscious.”

“I have worse on my conscious,” Reese says flatly. Slade snorts in amusement, offering an almost disinterested wave as he pulls the cooler out of the bed of the truck and dismisses them off to their own devices.

Reese stays in the elevator an extra few minutes that they don’t need as they try to stop the embarrassment quickly rising within.

They couldn’t think up a lie for a different reason why they couldn’t go to the beach, and they know they’re not capable of going without a binder and having that end in a way that doesn’t involve even more embarrassment in the form of a massive dysphoria-led mental breakdown. So they miss out, they go home, they feed the dog and they watch TV and they make a point of keeping the blackout curtains shut and the outside world as far away as possible, and they spend the next three days ignoring Slade’s texts.

And on the fourth day they get woken up in the morning by brisk knocking at their door, and in the short time it takes them to get out of bed and answer it they’ve already prepared a cuss laden speech at Slade for him waking them up at nine thirty, and they find themself disappointed when he isn’t standing on the other side.

Reese grunts in annoyance, glancing down at the package laying on the door mat, and frowns. They pick it up, shutting the door with their heel before wasting a few minutes trying to open the seal that clearly says CUT HERE with their fingernails.

The soft contents of the package slide right out, along with a handwritten note that marks Reese’s next day off the following week. They blink, tearing open the plastic bag and unfolding a black and purple binder. They stare at it for a few moments before looking back down at the rest of the note.

It’s a date. -S

#reese.fic #ship: wilson & wilson at large #arc: fun & sun #you know i just realized there is still very little fun or sun mentioned in this arc

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honmakurara · 5 years

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Gr8est full Osaka report

Yeah I know I’m (several months) late in writing this report, but:

1) DVD & Blu-Ray are up so I'd honestly love to read the opinion of more and more eighters about this con;

2) the truth is that the Gr8est concerts I attended in Osaka last August left me a bit shaken, for I think it was impossible not to deal with a eighter's feeling, after all.Anyway, since 2018 has gone, 2019 has started and maybe (maybe) I'm coping slightly better with my "Subaru feels", I feel like I can now write down a more relaxed report. Let's try, at least!

I feel very grateful I am in this fandom. Thanks to awesome Eighters I met back in Rotterdam for Misono Universe preview, I was able to attend Gr8est concert twice in Osaka last August. Since 2018 has been a terrible year for Eito, I deeply wished I could go and cheer for them live, but due to various constraints + the fact that I literally live on the other end of the world, I could not take it for granted, not at all. Still, I hoped. And that's why I deeply appreciate the effort and the exquisite kidness of people who allowed me to be there; more than anything else, even more than the concert itself, I have to say this gentleness touched me very, very deeply. Thanks to this, I met new Eighters and I'm, like... in love with them already. Both Eito & Eighters. I really hope I can go back to Japan and meet them again, one day. As for what the concert itself is concerned, to be honest, rather than a full report, at first I thought I was okay with writing just a quick report about how Eito members are handling this Gr8est Tour (that you will find HERE as "6nin eito, musically speaking").I made also another quick post HERE, right after the con.But as day, weeks and months passed by, I thought it was better to write down my personal memories because... they fade. So, sorry if you're going to read quite a messy, random and biased "report"... that's it! A creepy baby voice belonging to an animated Gr8est Baby (lol) introduces the concert... (I do actually wonder to whom that voice belongs... too creepy XD) BAND SESSION: Just like in Jam, the ouverture of the concert has been given to MUSIC (and I like it, because it ROCKS). Just like the mention written on the Tshirt tour "we'll make you forget it with our rock." Exactly. 1. Otou Seyo: unpopular opinion... I didn't like this song. Yeah, it was band-like even in the PV but, I don't know... I couldn't find anything special about it. Anything worth remembering/singing. Well, this tour definitely made me COMPLETELY change my mind (and I like it very much when the brats that Eito are DO that... it's so much like them, making people fall for their every work sooner or later. We are doomed XD)This song was (is) perfect: sung and played like never before, I'd say, strong and powerful and amazing. Everyone sang very focused-like, and above all I can still remember the strength of Ohkura's drums, its sound dominated (very beautifully, very impressively) every. other. sound. I swear. It was incredible to hear, to the point I can still feel its echo even now. I'm sure the DVD will also give justice to the beauty that is this song.If I have to say, I'd say that Eito started this con with a real blast! In between the two songs, Ryo made his initial speech. Very long, straightforward and even cute. He did refer to Subaru and to Eito's will of going on. Gosh, I wanted to hug him. He looked incredibly cool, tender and sweet at the same time. Yeah I know he's a good actor (thus pretty convincing), so it's not like we know how he truly felt like during that moment, but... I want to believe in what he said, being happy and eager to enjoy Eito+Eighters time together. Also, maybe it was just my impression, but it seemed to me like they took "longer pauses" between one song and another, during the band session (while in JAM it was one right after another). Maybe this was also made "for Yasu's sake" in order to let him recover better (or maybe I'm wrong... I just noticed these pauses were quite longer than last year). 2. Koko ni shikanai keshiki: SO GREAT. I'm very very happy this song was in the setlist because I've always, always loved it. It's also very nice for "opening" a concert after Ryo's speech. Oh, and btw during this song Ryo was amazing. 3. Noroshi: another unpopular opinion, I don't like this song. It never grew on me despite all the times they performed it during concerts since winter Eightertainment, on television and so on. Yeah, the PV is pretty cool, and also the lyrics. But it's not King of Otoko to me, I can't help it. Just like Oto Seyo, though, I changed idea after hearing it at this concert. I don't know exactly what's different from before, maybe it's the way Eito seemed to pour all their will power into this song... it turned out great, anyway. I also thought I would have missed Subaru's vocals here but, luckily, I didn't (which is something. Sasuga Eito). 4. Itta Janai ka: Aww, cuties! don't ask me whether they changed lyrics during their solo parts in this song, because I have no idea, I couldn't catch their words XD (I do remember Eighters laughed and cheered for them, anyway XD) What I can remember is also that the stage started moving forward, "Jukebox-like", and this is so freaking cool. Technically speaking I loved that choice in Jukebox because, I mean, can you imagine having to shift a whole band of people with a whole set of electronic instruments while singing and playing o_O? Exactly. I loved it! 5. Nagurigaki Beat: a song that grew on me slowly but steadily. I had the impression the dome was particularly "on fire" during this song, or maybe it was just me XD 6. Kokoro Sora Moyou: I've liked this song for so long that I was almost "surprised" it could be part of the setlist (when, unfortunately, Tsuyoku Tsuyoku Tsuyoku did not make it...) . It was soooooo lovely to hear. 7. Heavenly Psycho: okay, now, the feels and the confession. As far as I never liked the original song (with Uchi's presence... sorry, he's not my cup of tea) and I never really understood why Eito are so fond of this, I came to fall deeply in love with its "updated version" they sang during Genki con/DVD. I cried a river because it was too beautiful and because Ohkura was not there (being ill in the hospital). Hearing it live, OMG, I think I froze. To the point I didn't manage to enjoy it as I wished (yeah I know it's stupid but this was what happened), on my first day. The following day I felt better and I started crying when they played it, so I think I'm helpless XD 8. BJ: I'm deeply in love with this song, but I was so nervous during Heavenly Psycho that when I first heard the beginning of this song, I didn't even recognize it. Then, half of my mind went "OMG they're playing this one right after HP, they want me dead" and the other half was "mind going blank." Also, Ohkura's voice faltered during his lines (that I AM IN LOVE WITH), so... ç_ç I know it's not Ohkura's fault, but my heart clenched in pain with him during this song. Same as HP, the following day I cried a river. 9. Zukkoke Otokomichi: this song belongs to Yoko fully XD It's all I can remember about it, with Yoko taking the lead and being basically everywhere during the song (it's probably not like this, but my biased mind is... biased XD). Oww I loved it sooo much, the "sped-up" version is so freakin' cool!!! 10. Musekinin Hero: by this time, if I remember well, the moving stage had gone back to its original place, while my poor feelings had not, especially when Ryo decided to go around here and there and everywhere while playing the guitar Anyway I don't think I have mentioned so far how badass Yasu was while playing, during EACH of the band songs XD It was a pleasure to see he was able to move freely and more. Also there was a time during one of the first songs (KNSKeshiki?) when he joined Maru's spot and Ryo did the same and omg they played in circle facing each other and it was just too cool! 11. Life: oh this is so tough. What this song means to both Eito and Eighters, both before Subaru's departure and after that. I really hoped they would include this one in the setlist because it's, like, some kind of identity card of who they are, what they could achieve, what they can aim for, the way they've always struggled to see the light, the way they've never given up. Never ever. This song is precious and carries a deep meaning, but also a sort of "burden", I think, after it was the last one they sang with Subaru (with Ryo finally crying out his pain). Re-starting as Eito had to pass through this (and go on through Koko Ni), so even if they didn't play it flawless (Maru is a bit unsure sometimes, vocally speaking, when playing Subaru's lines, and Ohkura was really struggling to sing properly -I don't think I'll ever forget his bent head while singing-), it was too precious and I cried. I wanted to sing it along with them, but I had to stop midway because my eyes were so teary I wasn't able to see nor the boys nor the big screens anymore. So, well... I'm very happy that this song keeps staying by their side always. 12. Omoidama: other tears, okay. Maybe I remember very badly but for this song, Eito stood up and sang it all lined up on the main stage. This song carries extraordinary beautiful lyrics so maybe it's no wonder that I gave up again and went teary (again!), especially seeing Ohkura conveying his everything into this song. I like Omoidama, it always gave me positive thinking; at least until Eito performed it one last time with Subaru on television, and I don't know even know why, I felt so moved I cried. During this live concert, once again. MC I understand very, very little Japanese, and Eito during MC change topic every half a minute, so I have to confess I didn't get most of their talks. I think they started talking about nicknames? or the way people calls them at work? Something like that? Memorable thing was Maru anyway (bless him) that made a few incredibly resembling monomane about the different firework types... A-WE-SO-ME XD Yasu was sent behind the stage to rest, and I also witnessed cute Ryo making sure Ohkura got his own water bottle before giving back the empty bottles to staff guys :p

Second part of the concert:

13. Ima / 14. Hesomagari / 15. ER2 / 16. Gamushara Koushinkyoku: during this parts Eito went on the little moving stages (dunno how they're called) and despite the fact that I don't like Ima (I like the lyrics and the PV, but not the frilly dance), I was blessed with a Tatsu rapping his everything during ER2 right above me (well he was not exactly near but I was so dumbstruck he is REAL, so please forgive me)... so when I saw the DVD preview with him screencapped exactly during that moment, omg, the feels!!

Solos:

17. Watashi Kagami: I cried. 18. TORN: I was speechless. 19. PanPanda: I died from cuteness. 20. Love&King: I grinned like an idiot XD

Okay, on a more serious note:

17. Watashi Kagami: my fave about Yasu's solos, I was so hyped and dokidoki, and Yasu looked so tiny (well, I was far away) all by himself on stage but at the same time his presence and his soul was HUGE and I was blown away during his performance. I relaxed down completely, and hearing him was like having the sweetest lullaby ever. I cried. I really loved, loved loved it utterly. I'm so grateful I could hear this live. 18. TORN: ahhhh. I'm not coherent. Quite differently from Watashi Kagami, I kept being too hyped/dokidoki/nervous all the time during TORN so I cannot say I enjoyed this as I wished but still, I'm so happy I was there. I went to the cons with no spoilers about the setlist BUT the solos, and back then when I heard about TORN I couldn't believe it and was even scared and panicking bc, what if they only played it in Sapporo? what if they changed the part of the setlist like they did for winter Eightertainment? I know it's incredibly stupid and selfish of me but I went into all kind of idiot thinking bc I wanted to see them SO MUCH çoç Then, well, I really was there ♥♥♥ One day I was in arena () and I witnessed Ryo GRINNING like an idiot (in love) when he came on stage for TORN, before his own part started. He's in love, yeah I know U_U No I'm not coherent about this, sorry! SORRY! Oh but did you see Ryo SMILING LIKE AN IDIOT also during his dance part together with Tatsu çOç??? 19. PanPanda: two cutieeeeees! During this cuteness I manage to collect all the pieces of my heart that had melted during Watashi Kagami and TORN... 20. Love&King: when Takatsuking project first began, long ago, I wasn't that eager, but he slowly grew on me with time and this perf was epic! TORN presence during Love&King was so funny, I might have fangirled more on this rather than TORN itself, maybe because TORN does not give you the time to THINK, actually King on his throne was THE BEST XD

Game corner: Ohkura Tik + another thing whose purpose I didn't exactly understand, but it was funny to see and I saw TORN again dealing with this thing together, so my feels were a mess XD Ohkura Tik corner was terribly stupid and cute and the best thing ever. Seriously.

The Yokohina part here is definitely my fave, and whole dome squealed as much as I did, so I was double happy XD

21. Hibiki / 22. Namida no Kotae: two quite "Ohkura-centered" songs to begin with, I'm not very fond of those but several parts had me moved. As said above, Ohkura's voice was off but he tried his best, I remember him bending forward so much, nearly crouching in order to sing better (?) and he nonetheless smiled all the time. It was kinda painful to see ç__ç

23. King of Otoko / 24. Tsumi to Natsu / 25. Clover / 26. Maemuki Scream: during this part here I have barely memories because they went around on carts and the fangirl that is in me tried desperately to look everywhere at the same time. Sorry. Eito were as energetic as always and I really enjoyed watching them going around, not to mention all Eighters doing the dance moves just like them omg so perfect!!! so skilled!!! I'm a fan of Eighters also XD

27. Osaka Romanesque: I think I have been very very lucky hearing this in Osaka. I remember when they mentioned lyrics of places I had been into just a few hours before, and I burst into tears from feels and I felt I wanted to hug Eito and Eighters and the whole dome at the same time. It gave me shivers and it felt very special. Encore 28. Sweet Parade / 29. Panorama / 30. Aoppana I don't like Sweet Parade/Panorama very much, but they're okay songs for an encore, so I didn't stop from fangirling here x3

31. Koko Ni: ah, this. Even Eighters barely remembered the lyrics bc it was the newest song, and Eito in Osaka didn't play it yet as we saw that in Tokyo or Fukuoka, I mean, hugging each other or being the usual idiots. But still, the overwhelming feeling this song spread on the whole dome when they sang it is... I cannot describe it enough, I guess. They sang it one beside another, like Hibiki, but at the same time they played it from the bottom of their hearts, with all the love and feels they carried. When I walked back to my hotel, my legs were jelly beans, my feels were a mess and I couldn't even realize I had just come back from Kyocera Dome. All I could hear in my mind was Koko ni. Ugh ♥

Random things:

1. I attended the concert of 25th August 2018 in Osaka... yeah, the anniversary of Eito Kansai debut Two years ago, on that very same day, I attended my very first Eito event (Recital in Nagoya), which is still so precious to me *_*

2. It was my very first time attending a concert at Kyocera Dome, my first time in an arena seat (!!!! on Saturday only, close to a spot where Ryochan performed torn), my first time being freaking nervous before/during/after the concert. The following day I relaxed down quite a lot. My memories about the concert come straight from Sunday only, while as for Saturday, I have mostly a black-out.

3. despite the arena seat, our area got zero gintape, but I am very happy anyway because a friend of mine offered me a green gin tape... my treasure çOçEighters are really the best I am sorry that I was so much "blacked-out" during the cons that even of my very very very favourite moment, the final one when Eito join hands and so do Eighters, I only have blurred memories. But the lingering, beautiful feeling is always there, though.

It wouldn't be fair of me to even try making a comparison between GR8EST and JAM, that I both attended, because if last year everything seemed perfect, now we now that it wasn't exactly like so (after Yasu's surgery and Subaru's idea of leaving already in the way) and this latest tour proved how Eito tried their hardest to start again from scratch and from -literally- body and soul deep injuries. They didn't come out unscathed but they really, really opened their own heart up to eighters in order to share a good time together. I've said this before, Ryo was impressive and amazing all the time. A cutie, a cool guitarist, a still a bit awkward "leader" but always very humble in his attitude, even during the 'least important' of moments of the show. It really impressed me how he made sure that every Eito member took their drink during MC, how he brought back the empty bottles... maybe a very ordinary gesture, but so caring, and he wasn't even supposed to do that himself. While Ohkura's attitude broke my heart because he was obviously unwell with his voice off and his desperate attempts to sing 'well' anyway. He drummed with all his might and soul, and he waved energetically (with that SOFT arms of his) even to the most far away upper seats. He later said he felt like he received tons of love in Osaka and by reading that I melted, even though the day of the concert I didn't melt, I just squealed like an idiot despite being very far, so I feel really the biggest idiot ever XD Anyway. Teeny tiny Yasu isn't teeny tiny anymore. He might have been recovering, but he was very sassy when playing the guitar and never showed any mercy to his fragile body, I'd say O-o He was impressive and so is his voice, growing very fast and very beautifully. Maru is a softie. What would we do without Maru's gags XD? We know he's hurt the most by Subaru's absence but, again, he never let those feelings overshadow the show, the music, the other members. Yoko and Hina, papa and mama, mama and papa. Yoko, to me, was like watching Maru: not letting himself go, giving his very best both on trumpet and on cheering Eighters when he had to. I wanted to hug him so tight!!! And Hina is a steady rock and among all the other qualities of this man, I am really, really thankful he is there to watch over the whole group (and that's how KING+TORN was born 8D - sorry just kidding ^^''). Maybe the Eito we saw during GR8EST weren't the most sparkling Eito ever, but they sure are the guys that risked it all by choosing to go on even this time, despite many hardships, and they won the deal, because Eighters are there with them. On a closing note, I remember Tacchon doing the gay monomane a few times during the con and one last time before saying 'bye, and this time he was with Yasu who tried to imitate him, obviously failing due to his injured waist. This made the whole dome laugh and I found the whole thing honestly so sweet, rather than gross (it'd normally be gross, I guess), because this is just so much like Eito, "find and share the laughter even when normally only some sad/pity thoughts would be there." That's one of the reason why I fell for them, and probably the biggest and deepest one that keeps me tied to them. So despite my tears and my messy feels of those days, I can say it aloud: I'm very proud to be an Eighter PS: god bless Ohkura always for being such a fanboy of his own group and singing the lines of the songs even when he's not supposed to. You damn cutie, I love you!

#gr8est #report #my poor feels #osaka #SO PROUD OF MY BABIES #SO PROUD OF MY ICHIBAN #kanjani8 #eito #THE IDIOTS I LOVE #torn is the right word to describe my OTP

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