#He gets on the same train as Akira and looks for him in the train cars

[onehundredfallenpetals]

A change of trains, an unexpected companion on the way home

[ouranbutworse]

Kyoya: I haven't gotten an F since I failed recess in second grade. I was a painfully boring child.

Kaoru: You're still boring now.

Kaoru: I hope Hikaru is okay, he can get pretty insecure when he's alone.

Hikaru at the other end of the school: Kaoru? KAORU?!

Mori: When Shania Twain says "let's go girls" I feel like I could kick a door off its hinges.

Tamaki: I wasn't sure what to get Antoinette for her birthday so I bought her the same Apple watch as me so we match.

Mrs. Ootori: Fuyumi, don't get pregnant. Getting pregnant with Kyoya was the worst mistake of my life.

Kyoya: I'm right here.

Mrs. Ootori: Oh right, I forgot. Apparently I tried to kick him away, like giraffes do at the zoo.

Kyoya: ... I'm doing so well emotionally.

Tamaki: Where do babies come from?

Yuzuru: Tamaki, I'm sure we've talked about this.

Tamaki: Yeah, but I'm blanking. Two guys, right?

Kaoru: Sorry, we have to leave early, Ageha's school called, she tried to play God at the science fair again.

Tamaki: I'll pay for your lunch, Haruhi!

Haruhi: Oh, okay.

Lunchlady: That'll be 100,000 yen.

Tamaki: ...What the fuck?

Mori: I love my friends. They never demand I speak. I can go nonverbal and listen to them like they're a podcast.

Kyoya: My smartwatch just congratulated me on my run and said I burned 300 calories... I was sat down eating a cheeseburger.

Tamaki: Hikaru, Kaoru, FBI agents don't hold hands!

Hikaru: These ones do!

Kaoru: Yeah, and they sleep in the same bed!

Honey: While we were in Boston I got this 10% off coupon, it saved me $90 at a bakery!

Mori: He saved $90 on a $900 purchase, and he's still happy about it.

Kyoya: Right, I'm leaving for my doctor's appointment. Please behave while I'm gone.

Kaoru: Still trying to find your soul?

Kyoya: Oh please, they gave up on that when I was less than a year old.

Hikaru: The oneesan from the train poster I fell in love with got pregnant, so I've been crying about that for a few nights now.

Kaoru: Next time, tell a therapist that instead of me.

Renge: Hey, what did you guys get for number twelve?

Kaoru: I got eighteen.

Haruhi: I got nine point five.

Hikaru: I got Abraham Lincoln... for some reason.

Hikaru: Can we ride our new scooters outside?

Kyoya: Do whatever, I'm not your mother.

Hikaru: Okay! Weee!

Kyoya: Not in the street!

Midwife: Halloween, what a day to go into labour, eh? I'll get a nurse to wipe the face paint off.

Reiko: No, I want to look like this. I put it on after I went into labour.

Akira: Hey, I just rolled over in bed and Hikaru is here with me. Is Kaoru with you?

Renge: Let me check... yes.

Akira: Great, I'll be there in ten to make the swap.

Kyoya: I'm getting blackmailed at school...

Fuyumi: What?!

Yuuichi: Nobody blackmails our baby brother but us!

Akito: Yeah, messing with Kyoya is a privilege, not a right!

[a-forbidden-detective]

Curious add-ons: additions and deletions, Episode 11 (Part 7)

A bit of a warning: photo-heavy post

Eleven episodes in, and it is safe to say that I love these versions of Ron and Toto. Don’t get me wrong Akira Amano hasn’t done anything wrong, it is just these RonToto are kinder and more codependent from each other that I am 110 per cent sure they’d compete with that kind of codependency from the manga RonToto, and anime RonToto would win.

They diminished Toto’s comedic childlike expressions on this episode removing the giggle on Toto’s part, for example, when he asked Ron if the latter had a friend. Junya Enoki, for his part, admitted that because Toto is a grown man and a police officer, he doesn’t need to act cute all the time. The reason this scene is much more tender than in the manga. The “what’s so funny?” question from Ron was omitted and instead the anime writers made Toto stammer with his “N-not even… one?” After hearing Ron’s answer that he considers Toto to be his friend, he replies with a much more humbled “I am glad to hear it” and not “Gee, thanks.” And then the blush on Toto’s face as if he is darn proud and happy because after all they have been through, Ron treats him more special than the others, that is being allowed to be closer to him by becoming his friend.

Truth be told, these instances of blushing from the main characters would turn me into mush.

Another passage omitted from the manga and the new dialogue has become a Sherlock BBC reference in the anime.

Kawasemi san: “If you want to hide a tree, hide it in a forest.” (Episode 11)

SH from Sherlock BBC: “If you wanted to hide a tree then the best place to do it is a forest, wouldn’t you say? People would just walk past it, not knowing - not able to decipher the message.” (Episode 2, Season 1, The Blind Banker)

Surely, one of these days I’d write a list of all these Sherlock BBC references: from the manga to anime, because they are so many. Of course, it could have been the translator’s choice in the end.

Continuity problems in the manga are explained in the anime.

a) the reason Ron eats dangos 🍡 on the train;

b) Constable Kimyou, whose surname doesn’t mean “strange”

c) Ron accompanying Toto was not a chance where he got an email from the neurology institute, but it was a planned or let’s just say a convenient way to ride with Toto on the train at the same time going to Aichi with a purpose.

The anime crew adding this scene. Toto’s joyful reaction upon seeing his friend again after witnessing Kawasemi’s slump in person. Probably Toto was relieved and had missed his friend so much after their abrupt and odd parting at the Nagoya train station, in which he had so many questions that were partly answered at the end of the episode.

Can you see the puppets and the No. 96 (Ron’s scar which has become part of him) from the shop? Not only they increased the price from ¥900 (in 2021) to ¥960 (2023) but Ron’s puppets Kamo-kyun (platypus) and Eli Pyon (frill-necked lizard) are on sale.

This ending that fuels a few questions. Ron was sort of refusing to look at Toto as he explained his meeting with Dr. Mofu and her subsequent referrals to the other medical professionals concerning his pathological condition to pressure the criminals to suicide. Instead he looked at his reflection on the glass train window, Toto’s delightful enthusiastic voice had become white noise. This Ron is more pessimistic and not so much looking forward to the therapy and its possible outcome. I wonder if the anime writers (Jackson Ou wrote the episode with a storyboard from Shingo Tamaki who were also responsible to previous Kawasemi episode) would deviate a bit from the manga.

Two more episodes and I don’t want it to end. There are so many materials available and it seems we haven’t scratched the surface yet. The tension is getting bigger. It would be nicer if they are given the second cour and end the first season with the Plateau Aubege arc. A perfect ending to establish a canon RonToto.

[ashton-sano]

Food Wars! Shokugeki no Souma in: Going Grocery Shopping

(Char. Involved: Sōma Yukihira, Akira Hayama, Takumi Aldini, Eishi Tsukasa)

(Thank you so much for 40 notes! Here's another one for you guys. Sorry i couldn't do a short story for these but take some headcanons my dears.)

Sōma Yukihira

-Usually you cant take him anywhere because he causes an issue in which you have to be asked to leave (much to your despair)

-The grocery store is probably the only place you two can go without much problems

-May or may not be sneaking ingredients that werent on your list into the shopping cart

"Oh? What do you mean there werent any Rice crackers and Salmon in the cart before? I'm certain you put them in."

-Will asked to be pushed in the cart around the aisles

-If he ever gets lost, find him in the Frozen Dessert aisle, he loves it there for whatever reason

"C'mon Babeeee. Just one more tub of Ice cream.....Yes i know we already have 4 tubs already. Your point is?"

-However if you were shopping for a food war/cooking practice, he'd be very helpful

-Recommending ingredients, telling you the best flavor combinations from his experience, and slipping in a few personal items

-Overall, hes a massive child in the store so please hold his hand so he doesn't run off

Akira Hayama

-A rollercoaster of emotions

-Its like stepping into a whole other world when you food shop with him

-He tends to find the items in the store "Sub par" and "Second rate" but always picks the best ones with his well trained sense of smell

"Why bother buying from these cheap stores when i have fresh spices and blends at home?"

-He'd swear he hates shopping with you but secretly enjoys the time he spends with you (Good luck getting him to admit it though)

-May subtly tease and feign ignorance when you need help reaching something at a higher shelf

"Hm? Cant you reach it on your own from down there?” -pause- “Whats that look on your face for?"

-On rare occasions, he'll hold your hand when you go together

-He swears its just so that you dont get lost but you know better

-To be honest, its just less of a arduous task if you just go by yourself

Takumi Aldini

-One of the most normal ones on this list if we're being honest

-Its just a calming and sweet time through and through

-He's usually the one to ask you to go with him but will flush when you ask why

"Dont be silly, I just thought you'd want to pick up some things for your upcoming food war, thats all."

-Will never leave you on your own in the store since he loves spending time with you more than he'll admit (his face gives him away)

-He'll push the cart and carry your bags like a gentleman

"How could you even say that, Il mio amore? As if id let you carry them when you already paid."

-An absolute god at picking vegatables for some reason

-His background in the restaurant business definitely plays a part

-In the top 3 (And not three) guys you should always bring when you're shopping

(New!) Eishi Tsukasa

-A walking beige flag when it comes to shopping

-You either love it or want to rip every single hair from your body with tweezers

-Hes not loud or causing a disturbance but hes micro managing and nitpickjng everything

"Thats the one you chose?" "Uhp, I wouldnt go with that one."

-Its better to just let him do everything because he'll make you feel stupid no matter what move you make (even though thats not his intention)

-He means well but lets be honest, you just arent on the same page very often in terms of shopping

"I apologize dear but you know im particular. I dont mean to hover."

-If you have no filter and tell him to cut it out, he'll immeidiently draw back into himself at your blantant rejection

-His more awkward side will show and he will mumble endless strings of apologies

-Just be ready to put up with this weird snowflake

[leonawriter]

Maybe a hot take or whatever but I see a fair few people saying how they hate Ohya and... I guess we read into her differently?

Like, the very first time we see her she's still trying to do legit reporting. In Royal, she's there in the station on Akira's very first day trying to find his way through the trains to Shujin, and then later when they're investigating Madarame. It's only really once you hit Kaneshiro that she's the drunkard in Crossroads that we know.

I went into my (watched)playthrough knowing that she was, technically, a romance option. Just like several other adult women in the game. And just like them, I think that the whole thing of "you can romance them if you want" has corrupted peoples' view of who they actually ARE.

If you remove the skeevy choices the devs put on these women, you get Kawakami as someone who just wants to support her students but is being financially extorted, Takemi who wants to help people as a doctor but rumours about her reputation precede her everywhere much like Akira's does, and Ohya, who wants to be a decent reporter but is being held back by the loss of her partner, and her strict boss.

Ohya also gets flak for things that happen during the confidant; she outright asks the protagonist, a 16-17 year old boy, to pose as her boyfriend, when she's in her mid-20's (according to the wiki). If this was played straight, and we took the romance route into consideration, that sure would squick me out! But... if we ignore that the romance route exists?

First we need to look at CONTEXT. She's not asking Akira to pose as her boyfriend for shits and giggles. She's doing this because she wants to be able to investigate the mental shutdown of her partner, Kayo, who she was very close to. Her boss won't let her, and has relegated her to "writing entertainment articles about the latest fads" - basically, fluff pieces that'll sell, but won't require the truth, or any talent.

Her asking Akira to play along means that she's able to tell her boss "I have an excuse for the reason I'm seen talking to this person. No, I am not using him as an informant, or trying to investigate something I've been ordered to leave well alone." She's well aware the relationship would be illicit. Part of the point of her story at this point - and the fact that there's a heart she needs changed, just like most of the other confidants - is that her boss would rather her be doing something illegal like this, than honest investigative work. She's also very cynical for these same reasons at the start of the confidant.

There's also something to be said about how she's the Devil Arcana of the game. Devil Arcana characters, according to the wiki:

These characters have given in to temptation at an earlier point in their life, and as a result this has twisted their actions and way of thinking. Preferably a brutal mix involving the little good they still have in themselves. The Social Link establishes their building their way back up to their path of benevolence. It is not necessarily an easy recovery, as these individuals need to reflect on not only what they believed in, but why they went on the wrong track in the first place.

So, yeah. She's not supposed to read as a good, upstanding and moral person when you first meet her, and P5R tends to open the links with characters in rather reversed reads of their Arcana regardless!

What I see in Ohya is a journalist who winds up finding something to believe in again, who decides to start doing investigative journalism again regardless of whether her bosses agree with it, and who'd probably be a cool older sister type... even if she would encourage Akira to get the actual booze or any number of things he shouldn't really be doing.

I... also see her as, if not lesbian then at least bisexual, and still very hung up over Kayo. SO. Yeah, no, I can't see her actually having an interest in a kid so soon after all that. In my eyes she's just "kid, no."

[love-toxin]

omg are we talking p5....i wouldn't mind ryuji being my yandere because he's just so cute 🥺 yes we can go get 5 bowls of ramen and yes we can do whatever u want bc i love that one brain cell floating around

you are touching my brain wrinkles rn i love u......mwah.....my hand has been coerced.....

Yandere Ryuji Sakamoto HCs

cws: yandere, jealousy, college-era phantom thieves, stalking, mentions of murder, intense worshipper complex, ryuji being well-endowed, rough sex, bruises, pregnancy mention

☆ hc / ♡ spicy hc / ♀️♂️ gendered hc / ‼️ dark hc

☆ Ryuji just happens to bump into you everywhere, primarily at school but also around the city when you're out and about. Each time it happens he tries to strike up a conversation, a couple times you've heard him psyching himself up and practicing beforehand, but when he doesn't he just slinks away and you think that's the end of it--not that he's hanging around and watching you from afar, which he is. It's rare that he's not, not that you've ever noticed.

☆ When he awakens his Persona, he feels unstoppable. It just hits him like a train that he has power, he can protect you, and he gets so much bolder than he was, though he still has to work himself up to talk to you or look you in the eyes. He just fantasizes about rescuing you from villains and getting a kiss from you for his efforts, wondering if he'll ever get to hear you call his name first when you're in trouble.

☆ While his friendship with Akira is too strong to crumble completely, he does get wildly jealous when you show any kind of affection for him, no matter how benign. It could be as simple as chatting away with him on the train or between classes, and Ryuji will be biting his tongue and clenching his fists to keep from throwing something or punching someone. Even if he can't identify exactly why he feels so strongly about it (because it's more than just jealousy, he can feel it) he knows that it's a feeling he has to tamp down as much as possible, because it'll surely scare you away if he shows that side of him to you.

☆ Speaking of friends, his whole friend group knows and routinely teases him for treating you so differently than he does anyone else. He's soft with you and gentle like he isn't with other people, he drops everything to talk to you and you make him laugh so hard even when your jokes aren't the least bit clever. Sometimes they poke fun at him for being so crude and loudmouthed and that he doesn't have a chance with you, especially since he can barely string together a sentence when you fluster him, but they know how much he likes you--some of them have an inkling of just how much, and although it's concerning, those people keep their mouths shut for the most part. Especially considering the tongue lashing they know they'll get if they say a bad word about you.

☆ His love languages are gifts and acts of service, both of which can have a lot to do with food. He'll give you things you never asked for either because he knows you need them, because he snooped on you or because it just reminded him of you and he thought you'd like it. It could be anything from little trinkets, drinks from the vending machines, pens, snacks, bread from the school store, or even an offer to join him for dinner which he promises will be on him. Usually that's ramen, with loooooots of ginger!

☆ In this same vein, acts of service encompass a lot of things, too. He'll sneak an extra pencil or an eraser into your backpack in case you lose yours, and he'll insist on offering you his water bottle because it's important to stay hydrated, and no it doesn't matter if you're playing sports or not. It's still important. Give him his indirect kiss. He'll run things for you if you mention needing to drop something off, he'll pick up things like library books or study materials from your teachers for you (and ignore the scrutinizing looks and disparaging comments from them), and he even risks being late to class when he runs all the way to your house and back to get the assignment you needed to hand in that day and forgot. For lack of better term, he does husband duties at a friend price--he's hoping to change that one day, though.

☆ You know that Ryuji will do anything you ask, he's practically waiting in anticipation for you to ask something of him so he can show you how devoted he is and how capable he can be. He doesn't care if people look down on him for hanging around a nice person like you, but he does get irrationally mad if someone makes a comment about you because you're hanging around him. He's completely convinced that you're nothing but an angel, that even your flaws are beautiful, and that's probably the only way you'll truly understand how he feels about you--when he blurts those feelings out while he's arguing with one of those guys spreading rumours about you, all while you're standing in earshot. So if you ask him, no matter how meekly, if he can do one more thing for you--if he can be your boyfriend--Ryuji is obviously more than eager to fulfill that wish, even though he's embarrassed about the way he confessed.

☆ And being your boyfriend means there's much more room for him to stretch his overprotective muscles. Just being your friend and defending you against rumours or ill whispering just doesn't ring as right as your boyfriend. Trust him, he'll use that term a lot, and in an especially smug way whenever someone either compliments you or tries to ask you out. "See that one there? That one's mine. I'm their boyfriend." he'll say with a grin, his arms folded over his puffed chest, because how much better does it get than this? Even though he's even more scrutinizing about people getting near you, it's totally worth it to have you look at him like he holds the world, even though you're the one that makes it better just by existing. And he's quite happy with that arrangement.

☆ It evolves, though, his obsession with you. Talking about you and showing off your pictures to people isn't enough, it doesn't fully encapsulate how wonderful you are, and he needs more. He both wants people to keep their filthy hands off you and to realize that you're better than anyone they'll have ever met--he wants you to be untouchable to everyone but him, maybe even him, because he's the one that deserves you the least. The worshipper complex develops in him slowly, but it'll come to a head, rest assured. There will come a time when things between you aren't as sweet, and Ryuji will be willingly destroying his life just to lift you up. Abandoning school, ignoring his friends, forgetting about his future.....nothing matters unless it has to do with you.

☆ The only one who can stop him is you. You're the one who has to stop him in his tracks, and encourage him to attend to the things he has to do to get by and will make him happy (even though he insists you're the only one he needs to do that). If you don't facilitate that regression back to his usual self, Ryuji will completely unravel--and that's when he's the most likely to end someone for your own good. That's when he might turn on his own friends just to make an example out of them, while you watch on in horror.

‼️ The worst of this would be if you're also a Persona user, but you're not like him or the others. If you share a similar power to Akira, and you have access to the Velvet Room, Ryuji will be consumed with jealousy over the fact that you two share something he doesn't. You two have a bond that's just different from everyone else's, and you can be sure that Ryuji will be trying to inject himself into those whispered conversations you have--and if he can't, he'll be listening in on them. He can be so stealthy that even Akira won't notice him, and if he hears one word of perceived flirtation or affection, then your black-haired friend might suddenly become indisposed for your upcoming mission. Maybe permanently, depending on how much force Ryuji ends up using in his rage.

♡ Ryuji doesn't know his own strength in many aspects, and the bedroom is also one of those places. Sweet, sensitive Ryuji is not a virgin, but he's not experienced either. His first time was some girl in his third year of high school that he barely even remembers, only that it was embarrassing and a bit unsatisfying to boot. Mostly because he wasn't able to please her, didn't know how, so he's determined not to make the same mistake with you. Meaning, of course, that he's desperate to prove himself--and that he may leave some bruises on you and ruin your ability to walk straight in the process.

♡ He's well aware that sticking it in and calling it a day is not the way to go--so he does what most would be too anxious or proud to do, and he asks you what you like. It's just as good if you don't know, cause you can figure it out together. But if you do, Ryuji pays close attention to everything you say and every area you reveal is most sensitive. He's mostly a neck kisser and a thigh grabber, so if those places are your sweet spots, he'll have quite the fun time seeing how he can get you to react to his mouth and his fingers. He might even suggest touching yourselves in front of each other before trying anything too serious first, to get a feel for what each of you like. And while it's definitely a plus for Ryuji to get to see you so vulnerable and cute, you'll also get to see how totally ruined he can look when he's getting off (because he definitely doesn't hold back) and get a gauge on the size you're working with, cause wow. Whatever you were expecting, it doesn't do his real self justice--it doesn't even begin to measure up to what you're gonna face, which may be either thrilling or anxiety-inducing depending on your experience.

♡ He's completely content with spending the initial moments of foreplay with his clothes on, his lips on your neck, and his hand down your underwear as he lies next to you in bed. He'll lick and spit on his own fingers to make it nice and easy to move around down there, but he won't spend much time away from that soft spot above your collar--he leaves mark upon bruise upon sore little teeth imprint, all spelling out the warning "this belongs to me" without having to say a word.

♡ By the time it gets to penetration, which doesn't always happen if he can get you off sufficiently before then, Ryuji is riled up. This is where strength often becomes a problem--he can barely keep it together long enough to get a condom on, so when he slides in for the first time of the night, he's almost totally gone within seconds of the sensation hitting him. Ryuji will just go hard, pounding your poor guts into mush with hips so wide and strong that it feels like he might crush you, and he could if he really wanted to. But he would never--he much prefers you to be alive, especially when you make such sweet mewls and squeaks and moans when there's air in your lungs and your body's pinned underneath his.

♡ As one might expect, he's a big fan of hitting it from behind. The act of dragging your hips back to meet his thrusts, his blunt nails dug into the fat there to leave visible marks, just strokes that spot inside him that makes him feel like he could cum just thinking about it. Each buck of his hips is so strong it's enough to bruise, and his size doesn't make it any easier, so it's almost certain that he's going to leave you bedridden more often than not if you don't ask him to be gentle.

♡♀️ If you're a female or you're able to carry a pregnancy, yandere Ryuji will beg you to think about having a baby with him. He's on track to getting a good job, he's got money now, and he wants a little product of your love so badly. What better way to flaunt you around as his precious partner than to have a baby cradled in your arms? And he would treat you like such a princess when you're pregnant, it would be just like when you first started dating, except to an even higher power. He would literally ban you from walking as soon as you get to the third or fourth month when you're really starting to show, and would insist on carrying you and your baby around whenever he's home. Refer to him as "papa" or "daddy" when you're talking about him as a father, and Ryuji will just melt right in front of you.

☆ He's just such a good man at heart, such a sweet man, that luring you in to his love is not nearly the task that one might think it is based on his reputation. He can make you love him without really trying, or trying so hard he abandons every other thought in his mind--because you're really all there is residing in there anyways.

[nights-legacy]

Body Snatched - All Might (platonic)

Masterlist ~ MHA Masterlist ~ #2

Body Snatched Masterlist

2839 words

Warnings: unwanted touching, attempted assault, language, violence, vague mention of injury (let me know please if any need added)

Life as the daughter of the Number 1 hero was difficult. Especially, because you didn't know who you could trust and who was only out there to use you. So when the one person you loved most outside your dad was used against you by someone who works for your father, you shut down. You think that no one should see you down and out so you try to keep up facades even with your father.

Your best friend was the younger brother of Naomasa Tsukauchi, Akira. Since Detective Tsukauchi was close friends with your dad, you became friends with Akira, who was only a year older. You would think you could trust the people your dad works with but apparently not. A sidekick, Concussion, had accompanied your dad to UA and due to some foul play, was switched with Akira. Unfortunately, this sidekick had taken an unhealthy liking to you and was going to use this to his advantage.

~

I rubbed my neck, lowly groaning from the training session I helped my dad with for Class 1A. I heard someone walking up behind me. I looked to see my dad in his skinny form. He gave me a loving smile.

"I'm sorry for the rough training, Sweetie." He set a hand on my shoulder.

"It's alright. I'm kinda used to it by now. I mean, I survived my first year and it's only going to get worse right?" I laughed. He chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Plus, I have to make sure you are training Midoriya right and not overdoing it at the same time." I gave him a pointed look. He rolled his eyes but smiled.

"It's not all me! He tends to overwork himself! live immensely." We both laughed.

"It'll get better. It may get worse before it gets better but it'll get better." I gave him a side hug. He pulled me in tighter.

"Thanks Sweetie." He cradled my head. "You know I thought you were going to be upset with me for not choosing you for the successor."

"No, it's fine. I understand. I wasn't a right fit. It doesn't bother me. Midoriya is perfect for One for All."

"You sure?" He pulled back, looking at me unsure.

"Yes!" I chuckled. "You've told me the quirk chooses its users. You can't help who it chooses. It's nothing personal." He relaxed.

"Alright." We paused when someone out of sight called for him. He sighed before proofing into his All Might form. "I'll see you later. Dinner?"

"Yep. Bye!" I waved before running towards the 2nd year locker rooms. I took a quick shower before getting back into my uniform. The day was over but I didn't have any street clothes with me. I dug through my bag as I exited the locker room, looking for my phone. I groaned when I found it dead.

"Hey there, hottie." I looked up quickly to see Akira leaning against the opposite wall. He was smirking while looking me up and down.

"Akira. 3rd year locker rooms are that way." I moved in closer.

"Oh? Well, thank you for the directions. I'll be sure to remember that next time." He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in. I chuckled.

"Sure you will." I kissed him. He smiled against my lips and kissed me back hungrily. I pulled away reluctantly. "Come on. Let's go to the spot."

"Yeah. Let's go." He pushed away from the wall, grabbing my hand. We walked quickly. We were about halfway across campus when he suddenly stumbled.

"Akira?" he grabbed his head, stumbling back into a wall. He was wincing in pain. "Akira! What's wrong?! Hey..."

"Shit..." I cupped his face while he seemed to be calming down. I checked him over, seeing if he had any visual wounds on the outside.

"Can you open your eyes for me?" He nodded and after a few seconds, he was able to pry his eyes open. They were hazed over for a moment before he blinked them clear. His pupils were almost shaking as his eyes refocused. "There we go. Just breathe."

"Ouch. That hurt." He groaned while I rubbed his temples.

"What was that?" I asked softly. He seemed to remember I was there and focused on me. He smiled and set a hand on my hip.

"Um, a sudden headache. I must have moved too quickly or overdid it in training. I'm alright." I let my hands fall to his shoulders.

"You sure?" I rubbed circles with my thumb on his neck.

"Yeah. I'm sure. Come here." He reached up, cupping the back of my neck before pulling me forward. He kissed me fiercely and sloppily. It was sudden and I couldn't keep up with his pace.

"Hey!" I pulled away. He tried to chase my lips but I pushed him back with a hand on his chest. "Not in the hallway, remember?" Confusion flashed in his eyes but was quickly replaced by excitement again.

"Right. Right." I chuckled before pulling him along. An alarm bell went off in the back of my head but I shook it off.

3rd POV

All Might was going over some performance reports for some students with Aizawa and Vlad King. He was just about to let his form change when his sidekick walked in. He took a big breath, holding on a little longer.

"There you are, Concussion. I thought you may have left for the day." All Might greeted. When he didn't get a reply, he looked up. Concussion was standing nervous and fidgety. "Something wrong?"

"Um, yeah there is." He said after a moment. All Might set down his papers to give him his full attention. The sleepy hero next to him even perked up.

"Okay. What is it lad?" Concussion took a moment to gather the right words.

"I'm not Concussion, Yagi-san." The two heroes shared a look. "I'm AkiraTsukauchi, Yagi-san."

"What?"

"It's true. One moment, I was walking with Y/N down the hall and the next I was hit with a headache. I close my eyes for one second and when I was somewhere else in Concussion's body."

"So, you're saying that my sidekick, who I don't trust near my child due to his obsession with flirting with my child, is in your body with my child somewhere, alone? And Y/N doesn't know?" All Might asked. Concussion's head nodded. The smile dropped off of All Might's face. In a low, dark voice he asked, "Where?"

Y/N's POV

Akira was acting like an animal. As soon as we made it to the storeroom he was on me. He picked me up and sat me on a desk, wedging himself between my legs. There was barely any time before he was leaving marks on my neck.

"Hey, slow down." I chuckled. Hiking my leg over his hip, I leant my head to the side so he had more room. "Don't I get a turn? You're hogging your lips."

"Well, we can't have that can we?" He brought his face up to mine. The sound of his voice was off but I played it off as lust. As his lips met mine, I wrapped one arm around his neck while I trailed my other hand down to his tie. I youred it off before unbuttoning his shirt One handed.

"Damn. Always so hot." I said against his lips. I pulled back from the kiss only to push him away. He stumbled back and landed on his butt. I didn't let him even move before straddling his lap, hands roaming everywhere. I attacked my lips to his collarbone.

"Damn, darlin'. Impatient?" I froze as his words registered in my head. It wasn't just the words themselves, It was the nickname 'Darlin' and the accent drawl that went with it that definitely not Akira's normal voice . I pulled back slowly, removing my hands from him. There was only one person that fit both those bills. "What? Say somethin' wrong?"

"Concussion?"

"Yes, darlin'?" My blood went cold as his face paled in realization. "Fuck."

"You pervert!" I screamed. I scrambled off his lap and turned to run for my bag. I didn't get far when he grabbed my ankle and twisted, yanking me off my feet. There was a pop in my ankle, shooting pain up my leg. He crawled onto the back of my legs, grabbing my wrists. I felt Akira's tie being tied around my wrist. "Get off me!"

"No chance darlin. I have been wanting this ever since the first time I saw you in your dads office. I'm not lettin’ this chance go to feel you body fully." I grimaced as I struggled against the bonds.

"Disgusting piece of shit." I snapped. He turned me over and slapped me across the face. I glared at him and went to kick him but he pinned my legs down. He leant down and brushed his lips over my ear.

"Face it. You're stuck. No way out. So just let it happen." He whispered in my ear. His hand trailed my bare stomach and messed with the waistband of my bottoms. I started to struggle more as he tried to pull them down. He moved off me to pull them down and I took the chance. I kicked him broadside on the head. "Ah!"

"That's what you get." I mumbled as I wiggled away.

"You bitch!" His glare was deadly, it was hitting harder since it was Akira's face.

"Stay away from me." I growled.

"Not a ch..."

"y/N!" The door burst open and we both turned to see my dad. I turned to Concussion to see him pale as a ghost.

"Fuck." He muttered. Aizawa and Concussion's body stormed in behind my dad. As they closed in on him, I was finally able to get the tie off my wrists. A rock settled in the pit of my stomach.

How could I let him deceive me? How could I let him get me like this? I thought to myself, beating myself up. I flinched as I heard Akira's voice yelling out disgusting things and profanities. I jumped when I heard someone kneal next to me. Glancing over, I saw my dad reaching for me. My stomach turned at the thought of him comforting me.

"I'm fine." I pushed my dad away, not being able to handle his worrying over me.

"Sweetie..." I got up, flinching as I put pressure on my hurt ankle. I turned away from him, wiping the tears from my face. I didn't want anyone to see me torn.

"They were all over me first!" I flinched at the exclamation.

"Only because I thought you were..." I went to yell back but just the sight of him and the thought who was actually behind those eyes cut me off, bile rising in my throat. I bit my lip, turning away. "I'm going to Recovery Girl..."

"You were enjoying it regard..."

"I suggest you stop talking, Concussion." I heard my dad say firmly.

A little while later, I sat on a bed in Recovery Girl's office. I had one knee held to my chest while my other leg was propped on a pillow with an ice pack on my ankle. My head was leaning on my knee, on the verge of dozing off.

"Sweetie..." I jumped from the sudden voice next to me. I lifted my head to see my dad. My eyes stung as tears tried to force their way up. I turned away, sucking in a sudden breath. "Oh darling."

"Don't." I forced the words out past the lump in my throat. I squeezed my eyes shut.

"Y/N, please look at me."

"No." I shook my head. He sighed before sitting next to me.

"Alright. At least listen to me." He set his hand on my shoulder. "Just because your All Might's child, doesn't mean you have to be strong and unaffected by everything that happens to you. You're also Toshinori Yagi's child, my child. My child who is allowed to be a scared kid. Someone who is allowed to break when they've been hurt badly."

"But..."

"No buts. You don't always have to be the Number 1 hero's daughter. Let yourself not be okay. Sweetie, Please." The air around us was tense and I peaked over my shoulder at him. "It's okay to break, especially after that. Don't hold it all inside."

"Daddy!" The dam finally broke and I burst out in tears. I let him gather me in his arms as I broke down. He didn't try to shush me but consoled me as best he could.

"I should have fired him as soon as he even flirted with you. I should have...It won't happen again Sweetie. He will be arrested as soon as the two switch back."

"How did this even happen? Akira was with me!" I choked.

"Concussion struck a deal with a villian that used their quirk to switch the two. It didn't matter where either was at, as long as the villain had a personal item from both parties." The explanation made me cry more.

"So could there have been other times that it was Concussion and not Akira?"

"It could have happened but Concussion claims it was only this one time and Akira doesn't remember any occurrences like this." I blindly reached for the tissues on the nearby table. Dad reached over and plucked one for me. "Here you go."

"Thank you. That's good to know." I blew my nose while leaning against his chest. Even in his skinny form, dad was a tall man.

"Did he do anything to you?" There was an unspoken part to that question. I thought about how to answer.

"A little. Most everything happened before I realized it was Concussion." I tossed the tissue away.

"Like what?" I flinched not wanting to talk about it but I knew it was for the best.

"He slapped me and tied me up. He hurt my ankle too." I pointed to my propped ankle. "He was able to actually touch me before you came in."

"Thank god." He hugged me tight. I nodded slightly. "How did you realize it wasn't Akira?"

"His voice. I don't know if you noticed but even in Akira's body, he had his accent drawl. He also called me Darlin which Akira doesn't do because I don't like the nickname due to Concussion."

"Oh, I didn't notice. I guess I was seeing too much red to pay attention to that detail." He pet the back of my head as I finally started calming down. He got a phone call and I went to pull away but he didn't let go. "No it's alright. Hello?"

"Okay." I whispered as I stayed put. I tuned his and his conversation out, hearing him use his "business" voice as I called it. It always told me that he was on the phone for hero business or something similar.

"Thank you, Tsukauchi. I'll ask them if they want too." I perked up at the name. I pulled back as he hung up. I cocked my head in silent question. "The two were switched back and Concussion was taken into custody. Hero license revoked permanently."

"Okay." I looked down at my hands. "Akira?"

"He's okay but really upset. He feels responsible."

"Why? He didn't do anything, nor could he control what happened."

"Since it was his body, he feels like he played a part."

"Yeah, an unwilling one!" I exclaimed, wiping leftover  tears from my face. "Where is he? I want to talk to him."

"Slow down! He is with his brother right now. You need to sit and rest. You and both know you need time no matter how strong you are. You can see him soon but for now, rest." He took my hand. Taking a big breath, I agreed.

He got up to go talk to Recovery Girl for a few minutes. I noticed he had brought my bag with him and reached for it. I took out my phone and charger to plug it in, letting it charge for a moment before turning it on. Upon waking up, there was a text from Akira. I smiled and felt more tears come to my eyes, but happy ones this time.

"Here." A water bottle was held out in front of my eyes. I looked up to see dad holding it out.

"Thanks." I set the phone aside before taking the bottle. I drank quietly for a minute.

"Everything will be okay." He said softly.

"I know." I smiled up at dad. He returned before a glint went through his eyes.

"Now, do we need to have a talk about why you and Akira had a "spot" you two disappeared too?" He used air quotes to enunciate the word. I blanched and he smirked. "Well?"

"Umm, well, you see...shit."

"Uh huh. That's what I thought." He turned around and I scrambled for my phone.

Tag List: @lilparcheesie @dxnaii-rxse @iris-shihabi @cl0verbby @keigos-baby-bird

[discordiansamba]

assorted fun facts for the twin AU:

Akira was trained from a young age to mimic voices, since it's a talent that might come in handy even though he can't do deep cover missions. This means he can do pitch perfect impressions of all of the paladins and roughly 95% of the Blades.

Heath and Krolia did not know they were having twins until she was actually giving birth. Nothing puts the fear of god into a man like your alien wife gripping your arm and telling you there's another one.

Multiple births are exceedingly rare amongst the Galra, and identical twins are even rarer! Multiple births are just. flat out not a thing for Alteans, so Keith and Akira are extremely novel for both Allura and Coran.

Krolia taught Akira English. Akira teaches Keith Galran.

Keith can't fool Kolivan into thinking he's Akira, but he can pull it off with other Blades.

Akira only has a faint familiarity with the concept of civilian clothing, since it's not something he has cause to wear often in the Blade. His largest exposure to it is borrowing Keith's Earth wear when he's posing as him. It's no wonder then, that his style ends up being similar to his twin's- though he leans more to purple, blacks, and blues as opposed to Keith's red, white, and yellow.

You know who gets just as blindsided by the the fact that there are two red paladins as the paladins do? Lotor. For once he did not see this coming.

Actually. They kind of forget to tell Lotor. Well. The paladins do. Keith and Akira have realized the paladins did not brief Lotor on the fact that there were two of them and decide to use this to their advantage.

They manage to keep it up for awhile until Lotor walks in on the two of them in the same room together. It is the only time they get to see him looking truly surprised.

Keith and Akira determine who has to go to the Weblum by playing rock paper scissors. Keith loses.

They also do rock paper scissors whenever they have to do one of Coran's stupid ice shows. Any task they both hate, they decide with rock paper scissors.

The paladins trying to piece together which of the twins was actually Keith on which day. Neither Keith nor Akira are helping.

Pidge: So let me get this straight. You two were raised apart for eighteen years, on opposite sides of the universe. You'd never met before this.

Keith: Pretty much.

Pidge: HOW are you two so in sync?

(Keith and Akira just shrug. Paladin shit? Twin shit? Twin paladin shit?)

They may or may not eventually establish a psychic link with each other. Their power is now off the charts.

[tinyperson00]

Are you worthy? - Akira & Toju fanfic -

As the Hashira gather for their annual meeting with Master Ubiyashiki, Akira notices the other Pillars talking amung themselves. Lucky Akira, she had an amazing sense of hearing just like Zenitsu does, so she listens in as they all talk secretly with one another.

"Did you hear? Master has gathered some nee children who are requesting to become tsuguko's!" - Mitsuri squeals

"I wonder if Ill get anyone who will be willing to train under the flashiest of them all~" - Tengen boasts proudy

Akira rolls her eyes at him as she walks up to take her place in line next to Muichiro. Master Ubuyashiki arrives with his two children and everyone knelt and went silent.

"My children, as some of you may already know, a few new Demon slayers have applied to become a tsukoku under one of you 8 Pillars."

everyone thinks to themselves and wonders if they will be getting one this year, however Akira is not impressed and has her hands fulls already with Katsu. The master's children read out the list of Hashira who will be receiving a Tsugoku if they wish.

The children recite from the list, "Shinobu Kocho, Mitsuri Kanroji, Muichiro Tokito, and Akira Sakuranbura."

Upon hearing her name be called, Akira is half annoyed and half shocked. She's still not really ready to accept a tsugoku to train, but she is interested to see who applies under her. The other 3 Pillars stand up and Akira does the same. The other take their leave to just have the four of them left over.

The master starts to walk away and says, "I will go fetch the children now. You four can wait here and talk amongst yourselves"

"Akira!" - Mitsuri calls over to her.

"hm..?"

"Are you excited to see who you may get!?" - she blurts out.

"Uh.. I guess so, I kinda have my hands full with Katsu right now tho.. so Im not exactly looking to take in another person to train at the moment." - Akira answers back.

"Aw thats no fun.. What if they are really good tho??"

"Ill see when they arrive Kanroji-san."

a few minutes pass by and the Master appears back with all of the children who have applied. As Akira examines the young Demon slayers, one seems to stand out at her. A tall boy who looks to be about a year or so older than she was, with white hair and blue eyes. Akira has felt like she's seen this boy somewhere before, but memory isn't one of her strongest. The children read out the names of each Demon Slayer and assign them to the person they wish to train under. The Hashira may accept as many, or as little of them as they'd like. Akira listens to the names of all of the young slayers and waits for her name to be called with one of them. The other three Pillars have all received their opinions, which left one child left over, The boy. He watched Akira with a great stare as his name is called and he walks down to her. 'Toju'. That was his name.

Instantly, you watch the other mist pillar, Muichiro, decline all of his tsugoku's. He's never really been one to want to train someone else really. Mitsuri Accepts both of hers, and Tengen accepts his one. Both Akira and Toju just stare at eachother, a tension forming between them. Akira, who isn't one to speak very much, just looks up at the tall boy (who is about a foot taller than she is) and tries to remember where she had seen him before. Finally, Toju says something.

"Your trying to remember where you know me from, aren't you."

akira's cheeks go a little red from embarrassment, but also from how soft and calming his voice was.

"uhm. Yes actually.. I can't seem to remember, but I feel like I know you from somewhere"

"Final selection" - he says, "You saved me from one of the stronger demons on that mountain."

"Oh..?" Akira replies

Akira starts to wonder how she has been hashira for almost half a year now, but he was only still a Tsuchinoe. Then her brain starts to work for the first time in forever, and she remembers that she got Hashira in under 5 months, similar to the other mist pillar. Akira took Rengoku's spot when he sadly lost his life to upper 3, and become the second mist pillar. Toju looks down at her and was just wondering what was going on in that mind of hers.

"... so, will you accept me as your tsuguko..?" He asks.

"Hm. Well.. no. I cannot right now." Akira bluntly responds

Toju looks as if his heart had just shattered, as he is devastated that Akira declined him. Toju has had a small crush on Akira since the day she saved him during final selection, so seeing her so blatantly turn him down like that was just heartbreaking. Akira, seeing the look in his eyes and hearing his heartbeat becoming unsteady, decided that she can't just do that to him.

She sighs and then says, "Alright fine. i guess I can make room to train you.."

he perks up almost immediately and responds with, "Really..!"

"Sure why not, I can't bear to see you so Devastated like that either. It hurts my heart.."

He looks at her as she turns her eyes towards the ground to avoid eye contact with him.

"On one condition though." She replied back to him.

"hm..?"

"If you can get even just one hit on me, then I will train you. If not, I will just be wasting my time with you." Akira states.

Toju thinks for a moment. He knows how strong and agile she is.. and he has doubts if he will even be able to get close to her. But he does know one thing, he has a special weapon up his sleeve. Literally.

"fine then. i accept your challenge."

Toju and Akira find themselves in one of the training ground at her mansion where she has Katsu watch to see if he can make contact. Katsu had impeccable vision so she would see if he did. As they get ready in their spots, Akira takes out her Katana and prepares to unsheathe it. Toju takes his swords out and Akira notices that he dual wields, but there is also a string holding them together. She also sees that in both of his sheathes, there looks like what appears to be arrows? She doesn't think too much of it, and Katsu yells to start the spar.

about 10 minutes pass and Toju has yet to make a single speck of contact to Akira. As he swings both his swords at her to hit, she aggressively blocks and flings him back, far back. She watches as he gets up. He isn't coming closer to her just yet, and she is curious to see what is going on. She hears a clicking sound from his Katana's as she then sees that they have become one big Bow. Suddenly it all makes sense. The string connecter, the extreme curvature of his blades, the arrows in the sheath, He can switch his Katana's into bow and arrows.

As Toju begins to charge toward her and pull back his string to the bow, an arrow flies out. Akira blocks it, and then another, and another. The out of nowhere, he is so close and breaks to bow apart back to katana form. For a split second Akira thought she may actually be hit, he had a really good distraction technique that even took her a bit to realize. Though, she managed to block, duck, and trip him off his feet. Toju was now pinned down to the ground with Akira over top of him. Wrists being squeezed so hard that he couldn't hold his katana's anymore, legs pinned down by her legs, her hair dangling into his face. Luckily, whenever sparing or training Akira pulls her hair back into a ponytail, so not as much hair fell onto Toju's face. Once it had sunk into him that he was being pinned down by her, his face began to turn red and he had no choice but to surrender to her. Akira smirked and began to get off of him. Toju was still stunned and just layed there for a bit.

"Katsu! Go get Ushuu, I wanna make sure my new tsugoku is still in one piece" she says with a chuckle.

"Alrighty, ill be back in a little bit." katsu said as she sprinted off.

"And he careful of the switch!" Akira shouts after her sister.

Akira was now turning back to the defeated Toju, who still lay on the ground. She held out her hand for him, and pulled him up. At this point he was only in his undershirt and uniform bottoms and sweating from the spar. Akira had taken off her Haori and tied up her hair, but she seemed to be perfectly fine and in tact.

"come on tough boy, that was fun" she smirks and chuckles a bit.

".. yea but I still failed." He says in a dismissive tone.

"eh.. But who cares about that right? Im still gonna accept you as my tsugoku."

"huh? Wait really?? .. but why?" He says confused.

"because I can see the potential you have as a strong demon slayer."

Toju looks at her with a sparkle in his eye and just smiles.

"though, next time I wont go so easy one you" She taunts with a devilish smile on her face.

'Easy?!?!' He thinks

"come on lets go inside now to cool off until Ushuu arrives." Akira smiles at him "Oh, Ushuu and Katsu are my little sisters by the way."

Toju smiles back and walks inside with Akira. Once Ushuu arrives to check on poor Toju, Akira and Katsu walk outside to enjoy your time together. Akira can hear Ushuu's angry shout from inside not long after though..

"AKIRA!!! YOU ARENT SUPPOSED TO BE BREAKING YOUR TSUGOKU'S!"

"Shit-" She says, "Gotta run! Cya for dinner Katsu! Make sure to fix him up real good for me"

end-

i hope you enjoy that :D I did not expect to write that much ;-;

also sorry for all the spelling mistakes and messed up words... I didn't exactly proof read it lol-

[yamcha-thelonewolf]

How would you feel if Toriyama made Yamcha a fighter again and was actually stronger this time? I'll always be thinking how when he smacked Beerus in the back he made a face. What if he wasn't taken just by surprise that he did it but by the power behind it?

Like what if Toriyama did Yamcha dirty and decided he's not strong unless he does not want to fight?

Good question. Yamcha is still a fighter, for me. He never really gave up, even though what DBS showed us seems to say otherwise. I can't accept the fact that he threw in the towel, that was never like him. Yamcha always shows to us, in his own way, that he still has a passion for martial arts. Get it? Martial arts. That thing that long ago in Dragon Ball was the leitmotif of the whole story.

However, I don't think Yamcha has really stopped believing in his potential. It is virtually impossible to do so after reaching such a power level that makes him literally one of the strongest human beings in the world. Plus if we consider the fact that, between him, Tien and Kuririn, Yamcha's features are the most "normal" (he's got a nose and only two eyes) we can also safely say that Yamcha is the strongest human being in the world.

Okay, this is a bit of nonsense that I sometimes like to bring up.... But think about it, it might as well be so if we have to be really precise.

«JUST LOOK HOW SERIOUS HUMAN MY FACE IS!»

So, I would just be happy if his warrior attitude, that was never really buried, was put on display again. Even a little sentence, a hint, a tiny scene where he is seen fighting or training with one of his friends... That would be enough for me.

Yeah, something like that... Dragon Buddies.

For example, I am so glad that he made his return in Moro Arc as a Z-Fighter; I would like to see the animated version of his moment. Unfortunately, I think this is not the beginning of his rebirth. I have always thought that Yamcha's only enemy is Yamcha himself, and partly so, but the truth is that the real villain of his story is Akira Toriyama himself. It pains me to admit it, but it is so. I can't understand why he is pandering so much to the idiocy of the DB fandom making fun of Yamcha.

Yamcha laughing at memes about Yamcha knowing that he could destroy everyone with one finger.

The hell, even in Majin Buu Arc he was amazing. All right, I know, they're fillers, but you want me to be honest? The fillers took better care of him than the canon episodes and the manga. I mean, at the beginning he was presented to us as a 40-year-old man who had now given up martial arts for good, wearing a banana yellow suit, expensive and sadly unsuitable for battles. He just doesn't seem to want to hear about it. But then, after several episodes of him goofing off or being a fanboy in the stands, like everyone else Yamcha dies, and it is in the afterlife that his will to fight is reawakened after so long. As it was with King Kai before. For those who have followed him from the beginning of Dragon Ball, to be able to see Yamcha again happy, excited and strong, with his uniform on like the old days, is a joy to behold.

Relative joy.

Guys, I can't accept the fact that Yamcha has to be dead to feel even more alive, or even worse that his existence depends only on fillers. Yes, I know, it's still better than nothing, though...

Another good job was also done by the OVA Dragon Ball: The Return of Son Goku and Friends!, probably the last work that remembers that Yamcha also exists and especially treats him as a very valuable fighter. I'll talk about it.

This moment is still one of my favorite. It is one of the most badass things about Yamcha, plus it reminds me so much of a scene where Tarzan does the same...

Look! On one side we have the ape man (no, not a saiyan), on the other side the wolf man... Damn, I love it! Well, maybe I'm digressing, but it is curious to notice how the act of undressing is cathartic for both characters. They both strip off a garment that does not really belong to them and wildly bring out their true nature, their animal instincts, but most of all their desire to protect those they love. That's Yamcha. After all, who says Yamcha has to save the world to redeem himself as a character? He can also do so by protecting someone. That is something he can do very well, and I will prove it to you. Anyway, I sincerely hope that his role in the world of Dragon Ball will also be recognized in DBS. I also hope he can use again even his sword, but unfortunately he became a meme and, apart from the Moro Arc, we only saw him slaughtered and humiliated even by his own friends. This is the saddest thing that could have happened, also because in OG Dragon Ball it would NEVER have happened. There is no more demeaning thing than seeing Goku completely ignore one of his close friends, one of the first, and treat him as if he were worth less than zero. Seriously... WTF?! The Goku I love would never have done that.

Alright, that's the real Goku! Thank you!

I mean, maybe Goku wouldn't have invited him to the Tournament anyway, but at least he would have stopped in front of him to say a few comfortably words. As he once did.

Because, you know, that's what you do with friends and those who have been there for you in the good and in the worst of times. Let us remember that Yamcha took care of Goku together with Chichi when the virus struck him in the heart...

Well, I try hard to think that this is all a joke, though I doubt it. I strive to think that the whole attitude that the characters have had in DBS toward Yamcha is just the result of a studied plan to piss him off and spur him to undress again and howl like he used to. But... I know it's not.

Therefore, even though Moro Arc slightly brought our Z warrior back to the forefront and confirmed that Yamcha is still very strong, I still do not consider myself satisfied. What I would like more than anything else is just a confrontation between him and the protagonist, Goku, in which the saiyan helps him believe in himself again. And if it is not Goku, someone else is fine as long as Yamcha is reconsidered with dignity.

I don't think I'm asking for that much. Goku has helped so many people, dinosaurs, mice, monkeys, strangers he has met only once in his life, even bad guys... So why not help the first character who consciously believed in his abilities?

...Guess I have started a new topic. I will definitely talk about the relationship between Yamcha and Goku as soon as I can. Being the main character, a positive assessment of Yamcha by Goku could change the current idea of this character and make him much stronger as a result. I mean, Goku is the Mr. Satan of the real world. What he says is the truth, so it is only up to him to make sure that Yamcha can come back stronger than before.

Thanks for asking! 💕

[twigglestblog]

Going to be a long and interesting post, but I wanted to say how I think my OC Echo would be like with my Mutuals GOTG OC's, starting off with Magril by @rxin3akamallory

I already explored this a little bit with that short interaction I wrote, but honestly I could see Echo looking up to Magril like a mentor or parental figure, he would definitely need one and I doubt he would listen to anyone except her and maybe Kraglin. Maybe she feels the same, maybe not, but either way Echo would probably always take her advice to heart like a child would their parents.

Up next is Star by @cleo-is-babygirl

Echo would probably treat Star like a sister honestly, if she asked for it he would do it unconditionally, whether it be a piggyback ride, or to steal some cookies for her, he would do it for her, probably convince him to mess with Rocket a little bit, as long as neither get hurt of course. This brother-sister dynamic probably leads to each of them being defensive of the other in various situations, always willing to back each other up whether it be from a threat to their lives or just some jackass, they'll help each other.

Up next is Akira by @bakaotakulife

Honestly I'm not really certain how Echo would get along with Akira, I mean he would certainly try after a while and maybe he asks her to teach him some fighting skills, but I think Echo would just see her as a training partner/coach for most of the time, maybe occasionally discussing their problems. They do eventually reach the point of being friends, but I see this more as an issue with Echo having a hard time trying to find something to bond about, or being too shy to talk about his interests to her.

Lastly, Dr. Meti Geer by @quietanarchist before I start this one I will say to my other mutuals Meti Geer is a bit of an, interesting person, and innuendos are commonplace in his vocabulary so take that in mind for this.

Echo would be much older by this point, and I imagine Echo wouldn't have met his fellow experiments in this reality, so he probably stumbles upon Meti and Rocket on Knowhere after the first story. Echo probably has Meti help him navigate his own personal issues with his identity and possibly relationship advice, meanwhile Echo would probably act as Meti's personal bodyguard when Rocket isn't around, though they probably spend more time talking about dresses. Echo probably at first has to remind Meti the innuendos make him uncomfortable, and it takes a while before Meti 100% can control his vocabulary around him.

[twilightmalachite]

2×2 - Children on the Streets 1

Author: Akira

Characters: Yuuta, Shinobu

Translator: Mika Enstars

"Actually, why do you continue being an idol if you’re so dissatisfied, Yuuta-kun?"

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Spring

Location: Downtown

Two days later, on the third day of shooting 2×2 episode 5, noon…

Shinobu: … …

Uu, uuu, uuuu…

Yuuta: Shinobu-kun looks like a wandering zombie during an apocalypse…

Shinobu: It’s so hard~, usually… My standard of living has dropped to the lowest level possible.

Yuuta: W-well things are going surprisingly well, right? Better than we expected!

It’s like riding a bike! Thankfully we lived in extreme poverty for the fourth episode, so we knew to find dollar stores and thrift shops to buy our essentials—

We then save money for that using our idol skills we honed at Yumenosaki and ES, a.k.a., performing on the street and asking money from those who pass by!

Since ES is nearby, there are often performers around town, which helps a ton. Passerbys are used to them, and typically give a bill or two.

Shinobu: Because ES promotes music, or rather, idol activities.

If this were the Special Music Zone, for example, that centers around “that”, we could have made money more efficiently, but…

Yuuta: We really don’t have either the money or energy to travel that far out… We’ve been doing a lot of street performances with the sun high in the sky, so I’m seriously starting to hit my limit.

Shinobu: And I wonder if it’s even harder on me… Uu~, maybe it’s a genetic thing, but no matter how hard I train, I can’t build up physical strength.

Yuuta: We both have our genetic disadvantages, don’t we?

Shinobu: And to make things worse, our beds are atrocious, so we can’t recover our lost energy at all…

Yuuta: We were able to eventually save up enough money for a decent cardboard house, but…

There was a horrible draft in the end, and the blanket from the thrift store wasn’t enough to keep me warm.

Shinobu: Though if the temperature gets too low, we’ve been going to a cheap public bath to wash up and sleep in the break room.

Yuuta: We get two birds with one stone with that. We used to use those places when we were kids, I’m so glad those cheap bathhouses haven’t gone out of business~!

This is a show about idols, after all, we have to keep reasonably clean.

Shinobu: So every day, we make sure to wash our clothes at a laundromat and our body at a public bathhouse or internet cafe shower room.

It’s more than a matter of looking good, we also gotta keep clean so we don’t get sick, usually.

Yuuta: Living in the streets seriously is so tough. It’s just staying alive, but it’s so tough.

I seriously don’t know how we did it back then.

Shinobu: Yeah… I can say this from my heart now that I’ve experienced the hardship myself, it truly is amazing. It’s commendable.

At that time, you and Hinata-kun were just small children who still needed the protection of their parent.

Yuuta: And we ran away from that parent~. Didn’t we just reap what we sowed in a way?

Shinobu: Seriously though, I don’t know how you did it.

Yuuta: Aniki was strangely talented with these things, and I recall being able to live in this area rather comfortably.

But, back then too, Aniki was also just a small child, the same age as me—

He must’ve been having a really hard time, I just didn’t realize it… I’m sure.

Shinobu: Fufu, Hinata-kun’s done a lot for you, hasn’t he, Yuuta-kun.

Yuuta: Uu~… I didn’t ask for him to, though! He did it all on his own, meaning it was all just for his ego.

Aniki must have just been happy because was able to do what he wanted to do.

Whenever I wanted to do something, he wouldn’t let me. That is what was tough, you know!

So this time around, I’m rather satisfied. I’m able to do what I want, without anyone getting in my way or denying me.

Shinobu: But the burden of that’s being pushed onto me.

Yuuta: What? You have complaints? You know, if you don’t like it you can just quit, 2×2 is our show after all—Meaning you have nothing to do with it, Shinobu-kun.

Shinobu: That’s not an option… To abandon a job once undertaken goes against the code of a ninja.

Yuuta: Sounds inconvenient and a lot of work to me, but do what you want to do I guess, ninja.

Shinobu: Actually, why do you continue being an idol if you’re so dissatisfied, Yuuta-kun?

If you hate it so much, why don’t you just quit?

Yuuta: … …

Shinobu: Ah… S-Sorry. I said a bit too much. Living marginally like this has put me on edge.

Yuuta: No, nevermind that. Look, over there.

Shinobu: Huh…?

Hmm? Over there, could that be—

Yuuta: —Aniki!

That bastard Aniki~! I thought since we were having such a hard time, surely he must have been as well!

What is this? Why on earth are those guys looking so happy!?

[ ☆ ]

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[hyenahunt]

Obbligato: The Devotion to Tatsumi Kazehaya - 1

Writer: Akira

Season: Spring, three years ago

Characters: Jun, Tatsumi

Proofreading: 310mc + Remi (JP) & honeyspades (ENG)

Translation: hyenahunt & Peace

Tatsumi: Haha. If I'm able to bring even a hint of a smile to your face, then I'll consider being an idol a true blessing.

Content Warning!

Contains casual mention of suicide.

Time: Three years ago. One month after the entrance ceremony.

Location: Reimei Academy's "Labour Camp”

Jun: Yaaawn~...♪

(Welp, it's the start of yet another god-awful day...)

(Nothing's improved at all since the entrance ceremony. It's just day after day of serving these damn Special Students. Fuck this shit.)

(Isn't Reimei Academy supposed to be a school for training idols? I still haven't done a single thing you'd expect an idol to do here yet.)

(Well, I guess that kinda thing's one of those almighty Specials' privileges, huh?)

(At this rate, I’m starting to think I was practicing better before I even enrolled here. I’ve been practicing in secret, yeah, but I’ve still got my limits.)

(I'm always so worn out from washing those Specials' clothes and making their meals that by the time I get back to the Labour Camp, I'm asleep on my feet.)

Jun: (All the same, I've been pushing myself to practice on my own, but it really just feels like I'm taking a pointless detour… Actually, it’s more of a total waste of time than a detour.)

(But well, I did hear that in hardcore powerhouse baseball schools, newbies aren't allowed to even touch the ball for their whole first year.)

(Who knows, maybe this is the idol version of that, but — )

(It still pisses me off...! Ugh, can't the Specials all get into some kinda accident and just drop dead already?)

Tatsumi: Good morning. ♪

Jun: Woah... Oh, mornin', Kazehaya-senpai.

You've totally settled yourself into the Labour Camp, haven't ya? I honestly figured you would've thrown in the towel and gotten the hell out way sooner.

Tatsumi: As they say, once you clear your mind of worldly thoughts, even fire will feel cool. If you look around the world, there are plenty of people much worse off than those who live here.

Comparatively, a blessed person such as myself has no right to complain at all, don't you think?

Jun: Is that how it is? For that matter, why're you bumming around here at the very bottom of the barrel when you could be kicking back enjoying the privileged life of a Special Student?

I'm uh, wait, how d'you say it... My, um, deepest apologies for asking this again and again.

Tatsumi: You needn't worry over formalities, Jun-san. It doesn't matter how you speak to me, so long as you're able to convey yourself the way you wish.

Jun: Yeah, right. This place is practically full of assholes waiting to jump you the second you say a single word wrong.

Tatsumi: Is that so? Haha, I learn so much by speaking with you.

Jun: (What a weird guy... For real, what's up with him?)

(Rumour has it that he appealed to the school to have his Special Student title revoked, but they rejected it so they're having a lil' dispute right now.)

(Wonder if he’s tryin’ that 'cause he doesn't get along that well with the other Specials or something?)

(But then again, whenever I see Kazehaya-senpai around school, it always seems like he's on good terms with both Specials and Non-Specials alike.)

(Reimei Academy may have a thoroughly-enforced hierarchy but this guy's the only "exception" to it.)

(I seriously wonder what his whole deal is~... I'm not really interested in other idols, let alone idol students fresh off the boat, so I didn't know about it, but...)

(After looking into it, I discovered that Kazehaya-senpai's already debuted as a Special Student idol, and he seems to be crazy popular.)

(Even though Yumenosaki currently has the most influence over the industry, it’s barely producing results — and he took the opportunity to grab his own fan base. Last year, he especially thrived by attracting the attention of audiences that love young male idols.)

('Course, CosPro's other idols are all doing great, thanks to the selfless devotion of us Non-Specials.)

(But even among them, this person stands right out.)

(But instead of letting it all get to his head, here he is hanging out with us at the very back of the pack, sitting in the Labour Camp as he drinks homemade tea.)

Tatsumi: ...? Would you like some tea as well, Jun-san?

Jun: I'll have some. I still feel worn to the bone no matter how much I sleep lately, so I'd like something to wake me up a lil'~...

Tatsumi: You sound like an exhausted middle-aged man, Jun-san. Don't forget, you still have plenty of years ahead of you.

Jun: Right back atcha. Ahh, this tea tastes great. It's stuff like this that makes up the rare moments of joy I get to experience at Reimei, for real.

Tatsumi: Haha. If I'm able to bring even a hint of a smile to your face, then I'll consider being an idol a true blessing.

Still, you really do seem far too tired...

If you're unable to take your mind off of things, then it's possible you have some symptoms of depression. Before your thoughts become too much and overwhelm you, you should vent them out to someone.

I don't mind lending an ear, if you don't mind me listening.

Jun: I’m all good, I swear. You say this to everyone no matter who it is, don'tcha?

'Cause of that, we get crowds of poorly-lookin' folks comin' to the Labour Camp everyday, telling you woes of their ailments...

It's got me starting to think this place's looking more like a hospital or a church.

Tatsumi: My apologies, I hadn't meant to cause such a disturbance. I've asked them not to come here as much as possible, but they still do...

The rules are strict on those who aren't Special Students, and so we'll certainly be reprimanded if this area becomes something of a hangout spot. Our teachers and other staff won't like it.

Jun: Well, it's fine, isn't it? Everyone needs some kinda place to escape to.

You sit down all these tormented Non-Specials right before they think to end their suffering and send themselves off to actual Heaven, and hold 'em back from acting on it.

Even though all I do is live next to this, just the thought of it makes me feel like I'm a part of something noble — and you know what? Somehow, I'm grateful for it.

✦✦✦✦✦

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[duhragonball]

Dragon Ball Super 037

Vegeta vs. (yawn) Cabba.

So this is the one where Vegeta teaches Cabba to turn Super Saiyan.  There are some good points to this episode, but for my money, it fails to overcome its most critical flaw.  This is supposed to be a tournament match, but it ends up becoming a training session.  Vegeta even points this out himself when Cabba asks for the lesson.  He goes ahead and teaches him anyway, though, which I can understand, because he already knows he can’t get a decent fight out of Cabba, so he may as well use the time constructively. 

But as the viewer, I feel ripped off.  The thing is, this scenario could totally work if it were part of a card full of banger matches.  But let’s look at what we’ve seen so far.

Match 1: Goku vs. Botamo.  Goku wins when he drags Botamo to the edge and judo-throws him out of the ring.

Match 2: Goku vs. Frost. A complete mismatch.  Frost cheats to win, the decision is later reversed.

Match 3: Piccolo vs. Frost. A complete mismatch.  Frost cheats to win, the decision is later reversed.

Match 4: Piccolo vs. Frost.  A rematch after Vegeta requests Frost be reinstated.  Vegeta demands that Piccolo forfeit so he can fight Frost himself.  Piccolo agrees.

Match 5: Vegeta vs. Frost.  A complete mismatch.  Vegeta knocks Frost out of the ring with one blow.

Match 6: Vegeta vs. Auta Magetta.  A shitshow.  Vegeta float around for ten minutes dodging lava until he finally remembers he can just solve all his problems with ki blasts.  Also, insults wear down Magetta’s resolve so this was actually another mismatch. 

Match 7: Vegeta vs. Cabba.   Another complete mismatch. 

Tell me, dear reader, which of these is your favorite?  Probably Vegeta vs. Magetta, just because it wasn’t a one-sided rout.  And yeah, it’s the best fight of this saga so far, but it still isn’t very good.  It’s what Jim Ross would call “bowling shoe ugly.”  But at least Magetta made his opponent work for it, which is more than I can say for his teammates or Piccolo. 

Now, there’s still three more matches to go after this, and we do see an uptick in quality, but there’s also another mismatch in the bunch.  To put it simply: the Destroyer Invitational Tournament is a one-match show.  That sucks ass, because it’s a tournament!   There are supposed to be lots of good matches!  Maybe all of them should be good!  I mean, why is that not something to aspire to?

All right, so let’s talk about the good aspects of this episode.  The main thing Cabba brings to the table is Saiyan lore, and I’m always down for that.  This arc did help me iron out some details about the Saiyan history I wrote into Luffa.  For example, even though the U6 Saiyans are very different from the U7 Saiyans, and they seem to have very divergent histories, Cabba still uses the same fighting stance Vegeta used when he first fought Goku on Earth.  And Cabba uses the Gallick Gun, which indicates that these aren’t just things Vegeta invented himself, or even something he picked up from his royal family.  No, if Cabba has the same knowledge, then that means Vegeta’s style is based on something far, far more ancient.  And this scene led me to conclude that Luffa should know the Gallick Gun and Vegeta’s DBZ Episode 30 stance as well.  If they date back to ancient Sadala, then that knowledge would be commonplace among Saiyans, even a thousand years ago. 

Recently, I was thinking about the history of the Universe 6 Saiyans, and it occurred to me that it kind of makes sense that Cabba has never heard of the Super Saiyan form.  According to the Battle of Gods movie, the Super Saiyan God ritual was used to empower one righteous Saiyan so he could wipe out the wicked Saiyans of his era.  He failed when the form wore off.  Later, Akira Toriyama declared that this ancient Saiyan hero was named Yamoshi, and he was the first Super Saiyan, as well as the pioneer of the Super Saiyan God form.  The Super Saiyans who followed Yamoshi would arise every thousand years, and supposedly their transformation was awakened by his vengeful spirit.  I think that’s how it was supposed to go. 

So what does that have to do with Cabba?  Well, in his universe, the Saiyans are all good guys.  They don’t have tails anymore, and they don’t terrorize planets.  Instead, they hire themselves out to defend weaker planets from powerful aggressors (something else I cribbed for Luffa.)  Cabba even said that the Saiyans in Universe 6 still live on their original homeworld, Sadala. 

In that case, the conflict Yamoshi fought in Universe 7 must have turned out very differently in Universe 6.  Maybe Yamoshi’s counterpart won in that world.  He wiped out all the wicked Saiyans, and retired, never using the Super Saiyan God ritual again.   Or mabye Yamoshi’s counterpart never had to fight at all.  The Saiyans of his era were cool guys, so he never needed to become a Super Saiyan God in the first place.  Either way, there was no “vengeful spirit” to trigger the rise of Super Saiyans in Universe 6.  And without that, there was no Super Saiyan Legend.  Which means Cabba would never know about the Super Saiyan form until he saw Goku and Vegeta in this tournament. 

This kind of ties into something else this episode helped me work out for Luffa.  A big question about the Super Saiyan Legend is why none of the ancient Super Saiyans taught anyone else how to do it.  Goku taught Gohan, after all, and Trunks and Goten were so gifted that they learned it on their own.  So why was there only one Super Saiyan every thousand years?  Sure, some of them might not be inclined to share their secret, but some of them must have craved a worthy opponent.

This episode gives us an idea of the answer to that.  Cabba begs Vegeta to teach him the transformation, and Vegeta is disgusted that he would even ask such a thing from an opponent, during a fight.  So he turns Super Saiyan and whoops Cabba’s ass for a while.  Cabba tries to surrender, but Vegeta refuses to let him.  He threatens to kill Cabba, rules or no rules.  Also, he threatens to destroy Planet Sadala, and kill Cabba’s entire family. 

And that does the trick.  Cabba goes wild and seems to turn the tables on Vegeta for a bit...

But it soon becomes clear that Vegeta was just letting Cabba run loose for a while to get him acclimated to the form.  Then he tells Cabba to transform again, and he seems to have the form under control. 

The point of all of this is that it’s not exactly an easy thing to teach.  Vegeta had to resort to physical attacks and threats against Cabba’s loved ones to push him over the edge.  A Super Saiyan altruistic enough to share their knowledge with others might not be so eager to engage in that kind of cruelty.  In DBZ, Goku got Gohan to Super Saiyan, but he had to shoot at him with a Kamehameha to do it, and Goku was kind of reluctant to push it that far. 

Also, imagine using this teaching approach on a Saiyan like Turles, who doesn’t care about anyone but himself.  What loved ones can you threaten?  Which world can you destroy?  It wouldn’t awaken anything in him because he doesn’t care.  The irony is that the U6 Saiyans are a lot easier to train in this sort of thing, but they have no concept of the Super Saiyan to aim for.  Meanwhile, the U7 Saiyans had the legend but generally lacked the compassion to understand how to get to it.  And that’s why there was only one every thousand years. 

Of course, later on, Cabba will teach Caulifla how to turn into a Super Saiyan, and that’s where the whole “tingly back” thing got started.  But that’s the exception that proves the rule.   Cabba was willing to teach the form and Caulifla was eager to learn, but he still had a hard time explaining it to her, and he lacked Vegeta’s talent for inspiring righteous fury.  Caulifla understood how to get to the bottom of the matter, but she’s a rare talent.  Most Saiyans wouldn’t ask such perceptive questions. 

Anyway, back to the fight.  Vegeta turns Super Saiyan Blue to show Cabba where the road leads next.  Then he one-shots him and wins the match.

Cabba thanks Vegeta for his instruction, and tells him that he’s a lot like the Saiyan King on Planet Sadala. 

Goku is surprised that Vegeta would do all this for an opponent, and Piccolo suggests it’s because Vegeta wanted to spend some quality time with another Saiyan.  Goku points out that he’s a Saiyan, and Piccolo’s like, yeah, but he hates you, Goku. 

I mean, yeah, Goku’s Different, no doubt about that.  Vegeta can bond with Cabba in a way that he can’t with Goku.  But I think Piccolo’s got it wrong.  Vegeta has a similar desire to support Goku, I think.  I mean, they hang out a lot.  Goku doesn’t need much mentoring, and his Earthling traits probably irritate Vegeta, but who else has he got?   He’s the Prince of All Saiyans, and that includes the big orange goofballs like Goku.

So the next match is Vegeta vs. Hit, and as they prepare to face off, Vados informs Champa that she had to promise him the Hexahedron to get him to join the team.  Champa is upset to hear about this, because the Hexahedron is a vehicle of gods, capable of travel between universes.  But he had told Vados to get Hit on the team by any means necessary, so here we are. 

[monoukotori]

I finally found a way to make a Hikago x Saint Seiya crossover (because that brainrot will never disappear)

Rambling under cut cuz this is extremely niche :v

At first I struggled to find a cloth for Hikaru: the Virgo cloth doesn't fit him AT ALL (my man is too feisty he should have been a Leo rip) and I don't think he should be that powerful (at least yet) so I was looking into bronze and silver cloths, but I didn't like any of them.

Then I had an epiphany: Hikaru shouldn't be a Saint. He should be a Specter.

Specifically the Necromancer Specter:

This way I don't have to figure out when or how to send him training (the evil star will take care of that) and the powers are plot relevant. Also him interacting with the rest of the emo band that are the Hades army would be hilarious 😂 ( his personality would be too powerful to be overwhelmed by the evil star so he's still Hikaru. A more murder inclined Hikaru but Hikaru nonetheless)

Also now he can enter the Underworld whenever he wants so he could easily reunite with Sai 🥺

Then I wanted to figure out where to put Sai, but he's not fit for fighting 🤔 at the end I decided he should stay a civilian. Just a Heian ghost that likes Go, and ended up possessing Hikaru cuz he was subconsciously drawn by his latent necromancer powers.

Then I wondered if Akira should stay a civilian too, but the mental image of these two squabbling like brats in the battlefield was too funny to let it go. So he HAS to be a saint

Akira is a Sagittarius, probably the most loaded cloth in existence, so that's an automatic no. Also he and Hikaru should be on the same level, and the goldies are way too powerful

I am still trying to figure it out but I decided he should be a Silver. Sagitta is the most likely cloth I'll give him, tho I'm also considering Peacock (peacock is not a girl cloth that guy from the anime used it too)

If anyone ever reads this, I am open to suggestions :v

Akira's presence is vital so that Hikaru doesn't get himself killed in the holy war, I have an entire plot planned already, because this is how I roll, but I won't write it here yet. I have to tweak it a bit before, but I will, I'm extremely invested 👍

[twentydaysofdrabbles]

The Concierge Lies In Wait (Part 50B)

If you didn't know that the world had been turned on its head, you would not have suspected anything had changed.

From your roost on the third floor overlooking the lobby, you watch as guests filter in and out of the Hotel foyer, coming and going from the reception desk and the escalators. All seems normal.

Except you know better.

The 'gold club members' are tense, their hands flinching to their pockets whenever a mobile phone buzzes or trills. Their eyes flick to the glass doors every so often, lingering on men and women who wear grey of any shade.

All this you take in with an even, dead gaze, your hands loose by your sides, your form partially concealed from view by a pillar. Papyrus stands behind you, arms crossed over his chest, hat pulled low over his masked eyes, his scarf pulled up high. He looks like an ominous shadow behind you, cloaked entirely in the shadow of the pillar.

You can feel him behind you, acutely so, the mild rise and fall of his chest making the hair on the back of your neck stand from how close he is to you. Which is interesting, you think. Do magical skeleton monsters need to breathe?

It's not a thought that lingers for long, however, as something makes you look at the entrance. A man comes through the doors, dark in complexion, dressed for the outdoors, with a dog trailing by his sided. Ah, the Tracker. You had a feeling he would get here quick; the bounty on John Wick's head has drawn out every single soldier of fortune from the woodwork.

But unlike the other guests in the lobby, other similar soldiers of fortune, his eyes alone snap up to your spot. Hm, sharp. As expected.

You're fairly well obscured by the dimly lit corridor and the pillar, but you're sure he has at least caught sight of your shoulder, perhaps your profile. Papyrus is hidden at an angle; you're not worried he has been seen. No doubt you're far away enough that he would struggle to make out your features, but most 'gold club members' are able to recognise you on sight.

It seems he is able to do the same, as his eyes widen briefly before he turns his eyes back front. As if he realises he has seen something he shouldn't have. Still acting as if he had not seen anything, he engages with Akira in conversation, and that is the point where you turn your attention away from him and to the lobby in general.

Koji comes out to work the lobby some time later, accompanied by three men in neat suits. You're mollified to see that two of them are your men, blending in seamlessly with Koji's actual personal bodyguard.

You watch him do his rounds, greeting guests, shaking hands with others. And then you see Akira join him as they wander up the escalators and disappear from view.

"DO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR, OR ARE WE SIMPLY STANDING HERE HOPING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN?" Papyrus grumps and shifts from foot to foot, peering over your head to look down at the lobby with an annoyed air.

Ah yes. Tilting your head, you fold your hands in front of your belly, looking up at him to meet those crimson eye lights. "They will come."

He grumbles and shakes his head, stretching out one leg and then the other. "WE HAVE BEEN WAITING USELESSLY ALL DAY WITH NO SIGN OF THESE MYRMIDONS AND--"

The hair on the back of your neck stands, the back of your head itches, and you whirl around quickly to look at the front doors. Several men and women in matching grey suits come through, their steps sharp and pointed. On a mission.

On instinct, you press your back up against the pillar, an arm extended to usher Papyrus beside you and into the shadows. At the same time, your phone vibrates silently in your coat pocket. That's not a good sign.

With the slightest of movements, your phone is slipped out. The screen is dim, but bright enough for you to see a message from an unsaved number.

Osaka Continental Hotel Deconsecrated By order of the Marquis de Gramont

Fuck.

You look up to see Papyrus' eyes trained on the grey-clad soldiers. He looks serious, even if his face is concealed by the mask. Since he's focused on the lobby, you're at liberty to look down at your phone as a follow up message comes through.

Caine sighted at Osaka Continental.

Oh this is just getting worse and worse. It would be vain to hope that he is not affiliated with the Marquis' men.

Down below, whatever the leader says to Akira causes her to whisper to a bellboy and then to sweep away. It's difficult to see from so far away, but you can just about make out the movement of their lips.

"Please evacuate everyone...discreetly."

Smart girl.

You can see how some in the lobby stiffen and tense the longer the grey-clad soldiers remain, the longer that the reception desk remains empty. At last, a voice comes through the PA system, informing guests that the Hotel is closing temporarily for some work to be done.

"And so it begins," you murmur softly, the PA system covering the sound of your voice.

Soon enough, Koji himself comes down the escalator. But this time, without Akira. You can only imagine a few reasons why he would do so. Perhaps...

With an observant gaze, you watch as the men exchange words. Counting the number of grey-clad Myrmidons dotting the lobby. There are more than you had expected.

"THEY ARE WELL PREPARED. THEY EXPECTED A FIGHT," Papyrus comments lowly, his magic bound tightly to keep his voice from reverberating in its usual way.

"Koji-sama is a warrior of no small repute," you say quietly in turn, watching as Caine, predator among predators all clad in black, slips through the sea of grey to stand before Koji. "But so is that one."

"LETHAL?"

"Very."

But there will be more. So many more. Best not to linger here.

With a silent gesture, you lead Papyrus back through the shadows and to a service hallway. "We should circle around to eliminate small packs of soldiers before joining the main fight," you say once the door is closed securely behind you. "They will be overwhelmed before long."

Papyrus seems to grit his teeth. "IF THEY ARE OUTNUMBERED, IT WOULD BE SENSIBLE TO HELP THEM FIGHT! I AM NO COWARD AND NEITHER ARE YOU."

Shaking your head, you hold a hand up. "You might not answer to the Continental Hotel, but I hope that your respect for me will compel you to listen, Papyrus." The skeleton monster takes a deep breath, but nods. You continue, "The two of us will do little in a front line fight. We will do better by thinning out their ranks before we meet up with Koji or Akira."

Papyrus seems to think, then he nods, his mask shifting as though he opens his maw to speak.

Suddenly, the service hallway is plunged into darkness. But only for a split second.

Papyrus' crimson eye light glow bright, hovering in the darkness like afterimages as he whirls to look back at the way you came. Just as quickly as it turned dark, dim green lights come on.

"The fight has started," you note quietly, jerking your head for him to follow you. "Come."

"FINE, THAT'S NOT THE WORST TACTICAL DECISION I'VE HEARD," he sniffs, but follows you nonetheless.

What a backhanded compliment.

"Why thank you," you say without blinking. Papyrus just grunts in response, as if to say it wasn't a compliment.

You can hear muted gunfire and shouts filtering in from the direction of the lobby, though the walls and door muffle them considerably. "Quickly," you murmur, going from a swift walk to a quick trot.

This route takes you past the kitchen and the pantry; you remember Akira pointing it out. You also remember her pointing out weapon caches and hiding spots if you ever needed them. But beyond that, you remember the layout fairly well.

Heavier footsteps thunder in front of you, followed by a lighter, almost silent pair, and you find yourself rounding the corner into a small squadron of four fully armored, fully armed soldiers.

So it begins.

A smile slowly spreads across your face. Your heartbeat quickens. Your blood heats. Yes. Yes! The sharp and precise movement of your body loosens up as you relax into your stride, fingertips reaching for the hidden mechanism to release the blades of your gauntlet.

Cold metal shoots out and clicks into place over the back of your hand. Broad and strong and lethally sharp. Your heart, your blade, sings for blood, their blood, and you will oblige.

You don't look over your shoulder at Papyrus, but you don't need to. You trust he will do what he needs to do.

The soldiers notice you only a split second before you barrel into their legs in a blur of red and silver, their guns tipping down to pepper you with bullets. They had no fear for friendly fire - their armour is too well made - but you had no fear that their bullets would meet their target.

Bullets thud into your back and shoulders, but none of them penetrate the thick tactical lining of your clothes as you loop your arms underneath the legs of two of them.

Yanking and heaving and throwing them onto their backs, you angle your blades as you free your arms from the tangle of knees and legs. Like a hot knife through butter, or in this case like a lethally sharp knife through the thick but plateless fabric covering the backs of their knees, you slice apart their ligaments in a fraction of a heartbeat. Cloth and flesh and connective tissue give way to your strength, to the sharp edge of your blade, and you immediately feel the difference in the way they hold their legs.

Like any human would, trained assassins and soldiers or not, both soldiers flinch and writhe in pain. Giving you the window of opportunity to plant your blades into the groin of one, then the other. You're certain that you have severed an artery or a vein or two, considering the vast amounts of blood starting to pool under them as they writhe weakly and cry out in pain.

But...just to be sure.

A blade-mounted punch to the throat not only serves to crush structures in the neck from the sheer force of the punch, but also to introduce a deep wound that lets blood pump out at an alarming rate. The same is repeated for the other poor soldier in short order, removing both soldiers from the battlefield as they wheeze out their last breaths.

Your part done, you look up and find Papyrus in the midst of crushing a soldier's helmeted head in his huge hands, the other one already crumpled to the ground behind him. He looks up at you through his mask as he squishes the soldier's head, helmet and all, between his palms, looking for all the world like an avatar of death clad in a smart suit and fedora.

You're not afforded much time to admire the brutality of his strength, or his strategy, and so you nod in approval. "Well done, Papyrus. We should--"

More footsteps. Lighter. Several. More than four.

You furrow your brows. This must be Koji. But you take no chances, blades lifted.

"Stop them," a stern voice orders in Japanese.

Koji.

You straighten up, blades still bared, and lead Papyrus around the corner to find Koji retrieving some gear for himself and his men. Two sumo wrestlers charge forward into the other part of the kitchen, presumably to guard the way. Four of your staff nod at you, two from Koji's guard, the other two from the kitchen, and you direct them with silent signals to remain in their current formations.

"Shimazu-sama," you call out gently, taking advantage of the lull in the fighting to speak to the man.

"Concierge," Koji barks, coming up to you after accepting a sheathed katana from one of the kitchen staff. With a resolute expression, he looks at you seriously. "Concierge, no matter what happens this night, you must make sure Akira lives." His tone brooks no disobedience.

You know he loves his daughter more than anything in the world. Know that he rues the day he allowed his daughter more than a peripheral role in his Hotel. So you bow, an acknowledgement of an order from management. "Understood." Straightening up, you wave toward the path out of the kitchen where his guards await. "Go, we will secure the rear."

Papyrus steps up behind you. A silent support at your shoulder and nearly casting a shadow upon the much shorter Koji.

Koji looks up at the gloved, hooded and masked Papyrus, a slight frown on his face as he carefully takes in the otherworldly nature of the disguised skeleton monster. After a moment, he murmurs, "You are one of them."

Papyrus' hackles raise. You frown at Koji, but say nothing.

The Japanese manager raises a hand in a calming gesture. "I mean no offence," then he glances at the way he came. "They had one with them, too."

...What?