#making imay miserable<<<<<<<< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[ea-nasir-infinite-copper-glitch]

im thinking about Imay relationships with Aster and Raine. She was sent to live with them by Akila as a way to further her studies of Neautra, as Aster is one of the most powerful mages in the mortal realm (and Akila was frankly tired of looking after her niece so trow the burden to someone else) and Imay HATES it.

Aster at least is easy to hate, hes abrasive, strict and snobish, its easy to dislike and resent this overglorifed shut in. But Raine is a diferent story. Raine is nice, she doesnt care that Imay treats her like ass like she does to everybody, she genuely cares for Imay, does things for her whitout Imay asking, brings Imay to help with her garden or play with Amalla, offers to help Imay look after herself, fix her hair, find nice clothes.

And Imay feels conflicted, its the first time in years someone has been genuely nice to her, looking after her, it reminds her so much of when she had a family that she ends up resenting Raine more than Aster for being annoying.

[snackpointcharlie]

This week on Snackpoint Charlie we learn that life amazes us despite our miserable future, but you knew that already didn’t you? Tune into the making of your new mixtape of music from Sudan, Ethiopia, Pal*stine, Cambodia, Indonesia, Ghana and elsewhere live Wednesday April 2 at 10pm Eastern on WGXC, and download it now LIKE A BOSS

Snackpoint Charlie - Transmission 156: What, Me Tarified? (2025.04.02) https://wavefarm.org/wf/archive/3ws5he [ ^ click for download ^ ]

PLAYLIST

1) Jay Cloidt / Cypress String Quartet - “Brazali” from SPECTRAL EVIDENCE https://minmax.bandcamp.com/album/spectral-evidence-cypress-string-quartet

2) Khaled - “Didi” https://www.discogs.com/master/101623-Khaled-Didi

3) Gnonnas Pedro & His Dadjes - “Tu Es Tout Seul” from ROI DE L'AGBADJA MODERNE 1974-1983 https://analogafrica.bandcamp.com/album/gnonnas-pedro-his-dadjes-band-roi-de-lagbadja-moderne-1974-1983-analog-africa-no-40

4) Yuko Imai - “Hotel Twilight” from TOKYO BLISS https://wewantsounds.bandcamp.com/album/tokyo-bliss-japanese-funk-boogie-city-pop-from-king-records-1974-88

(underbed throughout:) Pinchas Gurevich - “Whozgunnabuywitnocash”

5) Matar Mohamed مطر محمد - “Aduka El Mayass قدك المياس” from ORIENTAL BOUZOK MUSIC https://www.discogs.com/master/909536-%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%B1-Matar-%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9-Oriental-Bouzok-Music https://lazyproduction-arabtunes.blogspot.com/2025/01/matar-muhammad.html

6) Vaudou Game - “Râler (feat. Clara Serra López)” from FINTOU https://hotcasarecords.bandcamp.com/album/fintou

7) Koffi Ottytana Bebli - “Doka” from TOGO SOUL 2: SELECTED RARE TOGOLESE RECORDINGS FROM 1974 TO 1989 https://hotcasarecords.bandcamp.com/album/togo-soul-2

8) Ibrahim Al Hassan - “Tears of Longing [دمعة الشوق]” from INTRODUCING IBRAHIM AL HASSAN - EARLY 1980S SUDANESE ELECTRONIC SYNTH SOUNDS https://soundcloud.com/habibifunk/introducing-ibrahim-al-hassan-early-1980s-sudanese-electronic-synth-sounds

9) Sarah Alnour - “‘Abawi Farih” from Dream Pop from Sudan https://archive.org/details/DreamPopFromSudan

10) Mohamed Abdel Wahab [محمد عبد الوهاب] - “Orange Melody [لحن البرتقال]” from [عندما يأتي المساء / لحن البرتقال] https://www.discogs.com/release/5794727-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%B9%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D8%A3%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84

11) Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band - “Atesem” from OBIAA!! https://patthomasstrut.bandcamp.com/album/obiaa

12) Ebo Taylor, Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad - “Nsa a W’oanye Edwuma, Ondzidzi” from JID022 https://ebotaylor.bandcamp.com/album/ebo-taylor-jid022

13) Moskito - “Mashonisa” from IDOLAR https://moskitoza.bandcamp.com/album/idolar

14) Przemysław Thiele - “Russ Tamblyn '66” from KOREPETYCJE Z MORESU https://www.discogs.com/artist/1732422-Przemys%C5%82aw-Thiele

15) Spiritczualic Enhancement Center - “The Deep Sleep of Evil Men” from THE DEEP SLEEP OF EVIL MEN https://crashsymbols.bandcamp.com/album/the-deep-sleep-of-evil-men

16) Asnam al masrah أصنام المسرح - “Naseej A'nkh Amon نسيج عنخ آمون” from PRIMAL OCEAN المحيط البدائي https://mediteranos.bandcamp.com/album/primal-ocean

17) Dina El Wedidi [دينا الوديدي] - “[الليل] = El Liel = The Night (feat. Gilberto Gil)” from TEDAWAR W'TERGAA [تدور وترجع] https://www.discogs.com/release/6250749-Dina-El-Wedidi-%D8%AA%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AC%D8%B9-Turning-Back https://lazyproduction-arabtunes.blogspot.com/2025/01/dina-el-wedidi.html

18) Parveen Saba - “Piye Ja Piye Ja Piye Ja” from SHABABI-SHARABI (ASHIQANA AUR RINDANA QAWWALI) https://www.discogs.com/Parveen-Saba-Shababi-Sharabi-Ashiqana-Aur-Rindana-Qawwali/release/18873457

19) Al Massrieen - “El Bahr Ara” from HABIBI FUNK 006: MODERN MUSIC https://habibifunkrecords.bandcamp.com/album/habibi-funk-006-modern-music

20) Ellen Reid - “Big Majestic” from BIG MAJESTIC https://ellenreid.bandcamp.com/album/big-majestic

[vannahfanfics]

Hope

Category: Angst, Drama

Fandom: Gintama

Characters: Nobume Imai, Shouyo Yoshida

Requested By: Anonymous (FanFiction)

Why is he smiling?

Nobume thought this frequently about the strange man contained behind the old iron bars over whom she kept watch. Nobume was young and had experienced little of the world, she supposed, but she knew well enough that being incarcerated surely was nothing to smile about. Yet, despite this very obvious fact, the long-haired man always bore a small, pleasant smile on his face when she delivered him his meals or lounged around beside his cell. He was always polite, thanking her for her deliveries and greeting her amiably when she tromped down the stone steps. What man in their right man would smile at their jailor? He was an odd man to Nobume, but somehow, she could not help but be curious about him- particularly, the strange writings he would etch into the dusty stone floor of his cell with a sharp-edged rock.

“What are you doing?” She finally worked up the nerve to ask him one day. With that same pleasant smile gracing his face, he looked up at her, one hand sweeping his long, pin-straight dusty-brown hair from his face while the other held up his etching rock.

“Mathematics. It does well to keep my brain sharp, lest I go crazy from boredom.” There was laughter in his voice. What an odd man, indeed. What did he have to laugh about when he was slated to be executed? Most prisoners either curled up in their cells awaiting the inevitable in complete defeat, or pawed at her through the bars sobbing miserably and begging for mercy. The term was not in Nobume’s vocabulary. It was not permitted to be. “Do you know how to do math, young lady?”

Nobume shook her head. Nobume had been taught many things, but traditional academic subjects was not considering required curriculum. She supposed only the most basic of counting skills was necessary for cold-blooded murder. “Do you know how to read?”

“Only what I need to know how to read.”

“What about history?”

“Why do I need to know what a bunch of old men did way back when?” She was being a bit combative, but only for show. Nobume could not help but be curious. Normal children learned things like math, reading, and history. Nobume was far from normal; she was an assassin. She was taught all the places to strike and instantly kill her prey, not how to sew. She was taught how to creep through the thinnest of shadows, not how to cook. She was taught how to communicate in code, not how to read poems. Nobume knew all these things, and that was all she needed to know to survive under present circumstances. She ought not to get involved with this odd man- yet… Nobume felt curiosity tugging at her young heart. If she learned math, and reading, and history, could she perhaps be a little more normal? The promise of that temporary illusion was very swaying. “… Would you teach me these things, mister?” she asked, approaching the bars to peer at the upside-down scratches on the floor that she assumed were numbers.

“Of course. I am a teacher, and it is important for young ladies to know these things.”

“I thought you were a criminal?”

The laugh he gave her this time was dry.

“I suppose it depends on how you look at it, now doesn’t it?” His eyes glittered as he smiled at her. Nobume blinked as she compulsively swallowed; that smile was still kind and pleasant, and yet there was this hard edge to it that did not go unnoticed by her. An odd man indeed, but Nobume was going to stick by her decision. She walked close to the iron bars to sit down cross-legged in front of them, staring intently as the expanse of harsh gray stone that was to serve as the canvas for her lessons. “Now, then. Let us begin with the basics. Oh, before we begin- what is your name?”

“Nobume.” It wasn’t her name, not truly, but it was the only name she really knew to give. His smile was back to its previous form, all grace and kindness.

“Nobume. What a pretty name. My name is Shouyo.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Nobume was only into it for curiosity, initially, but as the days went on, she found that she quite enjoyed taking lessons from Shouyo. It wasn’t only just the subject matter; he was patient with her. Though she very often performed tasks incorrectly, he never chastised her for erring the first time or two. Nobume was quite used to harsh reprimands for such failures. Instead of slapping her or cursing her like she was used to, when she tried to keep her bottom lip from trembling and tears prickling the corners of her eyes in frustration, he would reach through the bars to reassuringly pat her on the head.

“Don’t be frustrated. These things come with time. You’re very smart, Nobume, but most things worth learning can’t be learned on the first try.” He would always repeat that, like a mantra. Honestly, she still wasn’t quite sure why the things he taught her were very important- at least not to her. Perhaps if she was a normal girl, they would be important. Despite the apparent lack of need, Nobume valued the things he taught her anyway. Nobume had never really resented her profession. She didn’t have emotions- she wasn’t permitted- so really, she didn’t have resentment for anything. But, soon after she began being taught by the man, she felt this… stirring in her chest just thinking about what she would learn that day. She asked him about it, and he identified it as excitement. Excitement was an emotion felt by normal people.

Nobume feared that excitement. Fear was an emotion, too, and a grave emotion at that. Fear meant hesitation. Hesitation meant death, whether she died by the hand of someone she hesitated to kill or her superiors once they found out. Nobume thus tried to quell that excitement so that she didn’t feel fear. As it turns out, erasing her emotions once she began having them again was very difficult. Thus, the flutters persisted. Somehow, she managed to keep them a secret.

Being normal was complicated. Being normal was dangerous. Dangerous, yet secretly in the very bottom of her blackened heart, Nobume relished it.

“Mister Shouyo?” she asked one day, quietly, meekly. His execution was approaching. She was the only one around him right now. She could ask her question freely, without fear of consequences. He gave her that same smile that would be etched into her memory forever, like the log of their lessons scrawled over the floor and walls of his cell, numbers and letters of countless lessons. He gave her that soft, kind smile as he looked up at her inquisitively.

“What is it, Nobume?”

“Do you think that someday I can be normal?” She whispered it at the lowest tone she could, as if speaking the words aloud at all were a grave sin. Reflexively, she hugged her arms close to her body and looked around. Her blank expression did not betray her anxiety, but the quivers in her balled fists did. No one sprung from the shadows to slice her throat. Shouyo was still smiling when she looked back to him.

“I don’t know, Nobume,” he admitted, setting down his rock before folding his hands in his lap. The smile fell from his face for the first time, replaced with a sad and serious expression. “I know many things, but the future isn’t one of them.” Disappointment. Another emotion. Nobume had been building a deadly repertoire of them over the last few weeks. The smile rose back onto his lips like a cloud, wispy and fleeting and thin. “Although,” he said, “I like to think so. I think that fate is for you to decide.”

She stared at him owlishly. For her to decide? Nobume didn’t register the concept of being in control of anything. Her life had been all but decided for her. She was told what to do, and she did what she was told without much thought. But then again… It was her decision to take these lessons, rather than ignore the odd, smiling man. It was her decision to continue despite the fact ancient relics of emotions had begun to awaken from slumber. Was Nobume really capable of such things? Decisions? Emotions? Freedom? Mercy?

A new emotion stirred in her body, an altogether unfamiliar one. It hummed like a low flame in her body, flickering and warm. “What do you feel, Nobume?” he asked her gently as tears welled up in her eyes and flowed down her round cheeks.

“I’m not sure,” she answered honestly, placing her hands over her chest. “I feel it right here… It’s warm… Pulsing… Spreading through my whole body… It makes me think of the future, and it’s not dark, but bright.”

“Ah.” The smile he was wearing was shining and warm, just like the feeling glimmering inside her. “That, my dear, is what we call ‘hope.’” Hope. She knew the word and the definition. Her superiors always associated it with feebleness and scorn. She was not sure why that was, now that she was feeling it for the first time. She did not feel feeble. She felt strong, capable, ready for whatever may come.

“Hope,” she repeated softly. “Do you have hope, mister?”

“Yes, I do, but not for me,” he said as he smiled off into the distance, out the teeny-tiny window of his cell. “I have hope for those that succeed me. They bear my dreams now.”

Nobume blinked as he watched him envision people she could not see. She wondered if she would ever be able to meet them.

She hoped she would.

Enjoy this oneshot? Feel free to peruse my Table of Contents!

[hylukotranslations]

B-PASS - June 1993 Album: Darker Than Darkness -Style 93- Text by: Yasue Matsuura

Atsushi Sakurai (Vocal): “I have to be kind to myself. I shouldn't torment myself too much, because I'm a weak one.”

Did it ever happen that what you wanted to write about at first changed during the recording ?

What I want to say is probably only one thing, that's how I think today. So, when I consider that as songs, I have to use many words to explain, in order to say this only thing. I thought that I'd like to, not to distort what I want to say, but to make it come out and bring it out. If I only fill melodies with words, what I want to say has a risk to end quickly (laughs). So, in the lyrics, there are numerous words that I pronounce as the character that I play, and today I think that it's better to sing enjoying it.

So today you enjoy your lyrics.

Yes. I think that what I want to say is in only one line, and the rest are explanations.

Then has your way to write lyrics changed ?

It changed. Before, I wanted more time to write lyrics and think about them. I've even hadn't one month to think about their essence. First, I feel that for this melody I'm sure that such words with such atmosphere match the most, but before writing the words, the impression that I get from the songs or melodies, the time that I had to wait to let these things come out from inside me, I didn't have enough of that time... I had to concentrate, to do all I can to not to let escape my sensations.

When U-ta told me that you have written on your notebook many words and thoughts, I thought that you had many things to say.

After all, I practically couldn't use them at all, all what I had written there.

What was written on it ? But maybe there were only drawings (laughs).

I've drawn too, my face for example (laughs).

What, really !? I want to see that !!

(laughs) It's a notebook where I've written only poems and words that can't be lyrics. There are imaged words, like direct words. Maybe they are words that I have controlled inside me.

That is to say ?

What I've written in this notebook is what I want to say, but is also controlled by a part that isn't that... Yes. Since there is this me who says things directly and another me who uses images to say things vaguely, inside this same book.

And you were also impatient because of this lack of time. Have you ever thought, I wish that the songs were soon finished, or have you ever wanted to hurry Imai-kun or Hide-kun ?

Ummm. I rather thought, I wish that there were songs that match these words. Since I always have the passive position, something that isn't in me can come out from the two of them, and I have to wonder in my way, what kind of impression do they want to express ?

Don't you tell them : this is what I'm thinking about, or I want to sing that kind of song ?

No I don't. I can't say that. Because I myself think : I wonder what I want to sing. After all, I measure the timing for what comes out unexpectedly, and at the time where I begin to write, the songs come one after the other, but since I'm concentrated on the first song, I don't listen at all to the other songs. Because if I listen to them without attention, what I felt without attention at the moment go somewhere. And between us, there is a kind of relationship of entrusting and being entrusted. For example, saying responsibility would be weird, but in my case I'm at a certain point entrusted with the initiative to write lyrics and sing. Of course, it's something that is possible because there is trust between us, it's a relationship of entrusting and being entrusted but where we express our opinions and are attentive to the others. It's always been like that, when we five do a recording.

You don't continue arbitrary your work without being concerned with the others.

That's right. First of all, all of us are in the studio, right ? Unless something unexpected happens, it's something normal for us to be there.

For example, if you are worried about the lyrics or songs or if you saturate, do you ask the members for advice or suggestion ?

Not directly, but I can somehow ask them : "what kind of impression would be good", or : "how should I sing to sound cool".

Do you also count on them for the psychological aspect ?

The only fact that they formulate words helps me greatly. When what I was vaguely thinking about and what the members say match, I feel relieved, like : ah, that's great.

When I ask the members : what kind of lyrics is Atsushi writing ? they say : they are still temporary lyrics, or : since we let him take care of that we don't know.

It's because I always write until the last limit (laughs).

Not because they want to keep that secret.

No. And rather than seeing reactions from other persons, getting reactions after singing is more strait. Because it's not about words on paper but rather seeing if they match the melodies and atmosphere, if they fit the general tone.

During the recording, on what are you based on ?

Maybe on writing cool lyrics. If I succeed to write that I feel good, the persons around me would feel good too, and the songs get even better. I think that that's what I aim during each recording. I don't feel confident (laughs) but I strongly think that I want to go there, to write something cool.

What you call "cool" is not only about something good-looking, right ? Showing your miserable side or sadness is also linked to what you call "cool" ?

Maybe, yes.

I think that this aspect appears in the song "Lion", which is included in the new album.

(embarrassed smile) Oh no, I'm an uncool one you know.

Do you ever feel loneliness during the recordings ?

Yes, it can happen that I feel loneliness, I don't know for the others... When I write and sing myself, there is a part in me that can't help rejecting what is around. But maybe that's my personality (laughs). There is a part, maybe a cunning part that only myself can understand ? I think that a part of me that the others can't easily understand probably shows itself. A part that they think they somehow understand, but not everything... But since I like loneliness, I savour it. I manage to feel preciously this loneliness peculiar to the recordings and that I can't savour in my everyday life.

On the contrary, when do you feel that you are not alone, that you are five in the band BUCK-TICK ?

Since it's something that is always there, maybe I don't need to be conscious of that. It's been a long time since I haven't gone to the studio just to listen to the mix down. These days I was recording the vocals and on the way I listened to the songs that were mixed down. This sound that we created all together with such effort, when we could all together listen to it once it was richly dressed up, I could really feel the band that we are. It's the joy of creating one thing all together. At that moment, I could forget all what I was suffering for, worrying about.

This time your lyrics are positive. We can feel something that we couldn't feel from "Kurutta Taiyou (Mad Sun)".

Actually I was thinking : be positive. Maybe it's impossible to change completely oneself from its roots, but one can change its way of speaking, right ?

Maybe you've become more adult.

No no, ummm. It's because I'm kind.

You say that yourself !

(laughs) I've become able to be kind to myself. I thought that I shouldn't torment myself too much, because I'm a weak one.

Ah, I see. Then you were tormenting yourself too much so far.

I've become someone who wants to be seen as I am. Finally.

--fin

translation: hyluko [livejournal] scans: tigerpal [livejournal]

NOTE: these translations are not mine also might not be very accurate. i took them from hyluko’s site using the wayback machine. thought they’re great to share. if the owner is around and wants me to take them down i will!

[bi3n3nstich]

title: The Disappearance of the Amazing Hotaru Imai word count: almost 1.4k (including the notes) challenge: musical school AU summary: Every Friday Concertmaster Hotaru Imai disappears. 

[read on ao3]

Mikan caught herself, before her body collided with the rails of the stairway. Her roommate had disappeared in the underpass down below just a few moments ago. Quietly, she followed her and went down the stairs.

It wasn’t like she had anything else to do. Or really any other choice. Not anymore.

Mikan was too far away from the Academy to find the way back on her own. Not to mention that just a few minutes ago, the streetlamps started to glow and many people scrutinized her school uniform with a strange look in the almost dark. She really should have changed her outfit. Her adventure was based on an impulsive decision though and the need to act fast hadn’t left her with many clothing options.

Following her new roommate, who, by the way, had never, not even once said a word to her, suddenly didn’t seem like that amazing of a plan anymore.

Yet The Disappearance of the Amazing Hotaru Imai on every Friday evening had seemed like the perfect distraction to calm her nerves.

Since she had enrolled in Alice School of Music for the Gifted four weeks ago, nothing had gone right for Mikan. Compared to her childish dreams, the rooms of the Academy seemed cold, the students mean and the teachers scary. Behind every corner, there was harsh criticism and cold indifference. Playing the piano at such an accomplished school had made her Grandfather extremely proud and she was pretty happy about it as well. When she had left her small village by train, she could have sworn that she could see a few tears in his eyes through her own. There was no way that she could tell him that she was miserable, her classes were disastrous and that not even the piano could soothe her fears of completely falling short in anything and everything.

When she left the classroom this afternoon, the haunting looks of her classmates and the disapproving sigh of her piano teacher slowly following her, she didn’t even grab her notes. Her fingers had felt heavy and strange, as if they didn’t belong to her anymore. There had been heat behind her eyes that threatened to burst out at any minute, so she left before she could make yet another scene. There was no need to diminish what little pride she had left. As soon as she had arrived in her room, she buried herself under her bedcovers and planned to stay there for the rest of the day, possibly the entire weekend.

When Hotaru Imai, her roommate and newly appointed Concertmaster of the Alice Orchestra, slipped into their room, Mikan was definitely not ready to explain her strange behaviour. Not that it would have been relevant, because Hotaru didn’t even acknowledge her in the slightest. She simply changed into a pair of trousers and a shirt, grabbed her jacket and a small violin case and left as if she had been the only one in the room. Just like she always did… on Fridays. Mikan knew that she wouldn’t be back before midnight.

With really nothing better to do, curious to a fault and in desperate need for a distraction, she decided to follow her without her knowledge and find out what exactly lead Hotaru Imai to take a vow of silence.

What she didn’t expect was Hotaru to pull out her violin in the middle of an underpass with dozens of people walking around, eyes burning and ready to show them exactly why they made her Concertmaster.

There was a certain grace in the way Hotaru lifted her shoulder and resumed her normal position, posture impeccable. She really made the prettiest picture just standing there in the middle of the underpass, her violin resting on her collarbone, stabilized by an almost impossibly white hand that stood in stark contrast to the dark material of her violin.

Mikan couldn’t help but admire how effortless she stood there. She looked relaxed and Mikan was briefly reminded of how her own back hurt from sitting in front of the piano with the wrong posture. Even after all those years of playing the piano, she still had trouble finding that balanced pose her teachers always talked about. Her heart ached terribly.

Hotaru’s bow easily moved along the strings. Like the order of a military commander, the melody of the piece monopolized the entire underpass, so that many passer-byes immediately turned their heads and watched her as well. But Hotaru didn’t take any notice of the attention she had gathered, she had her eyes closed, her face the picture of serenity.

She was breathtaking.

Her quick fingers danced along the neck of her violin, translating movement into the most enthralling piece. The music was rich in emotion and technique, even without the instruments that would normally accompany her.

Mikan was enchanted.

For a moment, she was able to forget about all the stupid things that had happened to her today and that she was supposed to be hiding and miserable. Her fingers started tingling and before she knew what she was doing, she was formulating a tune on piano that would support the lovely piece Hotaru was playing.

She pictured herself accompanying Hotaru on the big stage. The slow and soft sounds of her piano would match Hotaru’s melancholic violin perfectly and together they would create a song of mesmerizing quality.

Lost in her fantasy, she was completely thrown off, when the melody halted abruptly.

Mikan stopped in her tracks and realized where she was and what she was doing. Instead of hiding behind a pillar, she was now out in the open, her arms raised and her fingers playing the tune she made up in her head. A few people were starting and Mikan quickly let her arms and head fall.

When she looked up, Hotaru had already put away her violin into the small case she carried earlier. At that point, it must have been obvious to her that Mikan had followed, or rather stalked her, Mikan concluded. And not only was she clearly not welcome but she had made a fool of herself and acted like an idiot. Again.

Mikan struggled to come up with an apology and an explanation, but like the days before, Hotaru simply brushed past her and headed towards the stairs.

Frantically, however, this time Mikan quickly followed.

“You were amazing,” she gushed in a way of apologizing, trying to keep up with Hotaru’s quick gait and smiling shyly. It might have seemed insensitive, but she still needed her to lead her back to the dorms. She continued to voice her praises and dove into an elaborate analysis of Hotaru’s skill to appease her and keep her in a good mood. Or rather to stop her from getting angry with her.

As soon as Hotaru stopped at the top of the stairs, Mikan knew that her days were numbered and she fell away a few steps behind her. Hotaru didn’t seem mad in the usual way, but her mouth gave a strange twitch and Mikan felt it wise to keep quiet and let those sharp eyes carefully examine her.

When she finally spoke, it was in a matter-of-fact voice that left no room for arguments.

“The piece you played earlier, play it tomorrow together with me.”

Mikan’s eyes grew wide, but she didn’t dare interrupting her.

Unfazed, Hotaru continued to explain, “I have a feeling we will sound good together. As two cute girls playing together, we might make a lot more than on our own.”

There was a strange flash in her eyes, but at that moment Mikan felt a strange bubble of excitement inside her, her fingers tingled and her face brightened immediately. Ignoring the superficial, financial part of the plan, she latched onto the sweetest words that she had heard in a long time.

“I’m gonna make you you my new best friend!” she promised excitedly.

 Extra 1:

Hotaru stared at her, the strange twitch back around her mouth.

“Never mind. You sound annoying.”

With that, she turned around and made her way down the road.

Mikan’s jaw dropped and quickly ran after her.

“Whhaaaat? Hotarruuuuu!!”

Extra 2:

“Hotaru was the first one to compliment me here. She really is the sweetest and most thoughtful person there is,” Mikan gushed.

Luca confusedly turns around in his seat.

“Say what?”

[tawbahnassoh08-blog]

Life After Death / 5

#الحياة_بعد_الموت 5⃣

Life After Death / 5

How Do Moslims View Death...

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The Quran also states that this worldly life is a preparation for the eternal life after death. But those who deny it become slaves of their passions and desires, making fun of virtuous and God-conscious persons.

Such persons realize their folly only at the time of their death and wish to be given a further chance in the world but in vain. Their miserable state at the time of death, and the horror of the Day of Judgment, and the eternal bliss guaranteed to the sincere believers are very clearly and beautifully mentioned in the following verses of the Quran:

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[For such is the state of the disbelievers], until, when death comes to one of them, he says, “My Lord, send me back that I might do righteousness in that which I left behind (i.e. in that which I neglected).” No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected. So when the Horn is blown, no relationship will there be among them that Day, nor will they ask about one another. And those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds] - it is they who are the successful. But those whose scales are light - those are the ones who have lost their souls, [being] in Hell, abiding eternally. The Fire will sear their 7faces, and they therein will have taut smiles (i.e. their lips having been contracted by scorching until the teeth are exposed).  (Quran, 23:99-104)

The belief in life after death not only guarantees success in the Hereafter but makes this world full of peace and happiness by making individuals most responsible and dutiful in their activities.

Going on insha'allah

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Bookshelf Briefs 10/30/17

Alice & Zoroku, Vol. 2 | By Tetsuya Imai| Seven Seas – I’ll be honest, I have next to no interest in the science fiction part of this series, which involves mysterious powers, political intrigue trying to control those powers, a woman with a tragic backstory who is happy to use said backstory to kidnap children if it allows her to be close to her husband, etc. It’s told in a reasonable manner, but mostly left me cold. Where the series really takes off is when Zoroku is on the page—his righteous rage and straight-ahead manner no doubt frustrates his family endlessly, but they’re exactly what Sana needs, and his speeches to her were the highlight of the book. It’s an interesting balance between the two, but I’m still invested enough in the story to see where the author goes with it. – Sean Gaffney

Beasts of Abigaile, Vol. 2 | By Spica Aoki| Seven Seas – Most shoujo series live and die on the strength of the heroine, and that one big plus that Abigaile has going for it. Nina is spunky, righteous, and inspires others. She’ll sacrifice herself in order to save someone else, and also do her best to make friends AND try to figure out why she’s changed and how to escape this prison. We also get a little better look at why she left Japan, as it becomes clear it wasn’t just bullying but boomerang bullying. Naturally she’s about to get that here, as we have Eva clearly ready to take up the torch and become the Evil Girl who is there to make Nina’s life miserable. Not much in this series is surprising, but I enjoy its heart being on its sleeve, and fans of werewolves and shoujo will want to get it. – Sean Gaffney

Black Butler, Vol. 24 | By Yana Toboso | Yen Press – When a new volume of Black Butler comes out, I always think, “Ooh!” but then I read it and I’m like, “Oh yeah.” Because every time, I experience a mixture of mild interest and “I really don’t care about these characters.” In this installment, Ciel is up investigating a popular music hall that is extracting blood from its customers. Rather than raze it, he decides it’s wiser to set up an alternative to capture people’s hearts, and so he does, and we get another boy band performance from more students at the boys’ school. I suppose if one reads this series for fanservice reasons, this is plenty satisfying, but since I don’t, it’s rather ho-hum. I don’t know why I can’t just drop this series, but I guess I like it just enough to keep going with it. Faint praise, indeed. – Michelle Smith

The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún, Vol. 3 | By Nagabe| Seven Seas – After the first two volumes were unsettling with occasional suggestion that things might get a bit scary, this volume jumps headfirst into terrifying, especially towards the end of the book. I will also give it credit for a major fake out—I was fairly certain that one of the characters reintroduced here was either a fake or dead, and the fact that they’re not really shook me. Of course, they’re not untouched by the events going on in the book. The whole infection thing appears to be very real, and we understand Teacher’s feelings and hands-off attitude with Shiva a lot better now. And, of course, the best reason to read this series: the art is amazing. Do yourself a favor and pick this up. – Sean Gaffney

Horimiya, Vol. 9 | By Hero and Daisuke Hagiwara | Yen Press – I’m happy to report that there was no sign whatsoever of Hori cajoling Miyamura into being rough with her in this volume. Instead, we get a series of vignettes about the Hori family kotatsu and how it lulls the unsuspecting into lengthy naps, plus a recurring theme about Hori eating too many tangerines. I really liked the final scene between Hori and Miyamura, as it’s the kind of important romantic development we haven’t had in a few volumes now, but my attention was most captivated by Yuki and Tooru, who are still pretending to be dating. Yuki doesn’t want to drop the ruse, even when it breaks Sakura’s heart, yet also doesn’t want to suggest that it could be the real deal, lest she lose what closeness she does have with Tooru. I find I’m pretty invested in the outcome of their side drama. – Michelle Smith

Please Tell Me! Galko-chan, Vol. 4 | By Kenya Suzuki| Seven Seas – By now you know what you’re getting with a volume of Galko-chan. There’s not as much constant sex talk as the first volume, though it definitely crops up, and the art occasionally loves to emphasize the bodies of the girls. On the bright side, while the author clearly loves large breasts, the bodies are drawn relatively realistically for such characters. But honestly, the real reason to read this series is the friendship between Galko, Otoko and Ojou, and their daily conversations and obsessions. Galko’s obsession with Western films is getting more and more attention, and we even get a Snakes on a Plane mention. One of the better slice-of-life style series out there. – Sean Gaffney

Sword Art Online: Girls’ Ops, Vol. 4 | By Neko Nekobyou and Reki Kawahara | Yen Press – I will admit, it’s possible that the outcome of this volume—which wraps up the storyline with Lux’s past in SAO—was a bit too overwhelmingly sweet and heartwarming. SAO doesn’t really lean on the whole “power of friendship” trope as much as some other shonen series, but Girls’ Ops is not afraid to take it and run, with our villain doing her best to break Lux and her new friends apart, and completely failing to do so. And the villain is saved too, and turns out to be another ojou like Lux (and Asuna—honestly, the game must have been expensive as it had a lot of rich kids playing it). And Silica got to be smart and cool! I like that. The series does continue, likely in another year or so. – Sean Gaffney

Tokyo Tarareba Girls, Vol. 8 | By Akiko Higashimura | Kodansha Comics (digial only for the moment)- Just as Rinko has found easy-going happiness with Mr. Hayasaka and has moved in with him, her friends and Mami turn up on her doorstep with the revelation that Key might be in love with her. To Rinko’s credit, she protests a great deal while en route to see him, but the fact is… she got in the car of her own free will. And man, Higashimura-sensei is so wonderfully cruel about depicting what ensues. Once Rinko and Key meet again, their chemistry is undeniable, resulting in some great dramatic moments, but these developments are intercut with scenes in which sweet Mr. Hayasaka thinks how nice it is to have someone to come home to and plans the nice dinner he’s going to make for their private housewarming party. It’ll be brutal to see how much he is hurt by this, but I still desperately want that final volume ASAP! – Michelle Smith

By: Michelle Smith