#Hokkaido Government Office

[nagaino]

[japansapporowalk]

🇯🇵リニューアル工事中 北海道庁旧本庁舎 赤れんが庁舎 散歩 2024／日本 北海道 札幌市 中央区 [4K HDR Binaural ASMR]

[hexpea]

Ch. 1 - Divorcee

"You've got to be joking," you shook your head, completely baffled at the news you had just heard from the city clerk sitting behind tempered glass. They gave you an empathetic stare in return, a small, awkward smile on their face.

Your fiancé, Seiko, looked at you, also bewildered to the news that they had just heard. You'd kept it a well-tucked away secret up to that point in your relationship, but the cat was very out of the bag at this point. 

"It's been three years, how could it have gone overlooked for this long?" You whined angrily to the poor, glorified secretary in front of you. You weren't paying any mind to the look of dismay Seiko was giving you. You had flames of anger in your eyes, nothing could distract from the rage you felt at the major inconvenience that was your ex-husband. You knew him to be arrogant, immature, impolite...the list could go on.

"I'm sorry, Ms. L/N, but we can't process the marriage certificate until your previous marriage to..." they trailed off to look at the name on their computer screen once again, "Satoru Gojo...is fully dissolved. There's nothing I can do, it needs his signature for final processing."

You took a deep breath, realizing there really wasn't anything you could do. "Thank you," you tried to contain your anger. As you spoke, the clerk handed over the paperwork you needed to finish things off with your previous marriage.

With what you needed in your hands, the two of you left the city clerk's office. You kept a straight face, meanwhile Seiko was positively seething. There was a sense of betrayal from such a serious secret being kept for the entirety of your two year relationship. 

"Y/N," Seiko started with concern once you were out of earshot of the general public, "you didn't tell me you were married before."

You sighed as the two of you walked toward the subway, heading down the stairs and toward the terminal. "It's a long story," you replied in a soft tone, realizing that your serious secret could have done some major damage to your current relationship. "I kept it in for a reason."

"Well, now it's out and I need to know about it," Seiko said sternly as the two of you scanned your passes and began your wait for the ride home. "Y/N, I love you, but you can't just pass this off as if it was nothing," they hissed, trying to keep their voice low so others nearby wouldn't hear.

"Let's get home first, I'll tell you everything," you closed your eyes as if to try and meditate away the headache forming in your temples.

When the two of you returned home, you got comfortable in preparation to spill the details on your little secret. Seiko sat down with you on your sofa in your shared apartment. The two of you lived in Hokkaido. You had moved this far after your 'divorce' on purpose, in order to escape a past you longed to forget. You lived humbly, but it was a happy humble.

"Do you remember what I told you about my family?" You asked Seiko who was staring at you intently as the two of you lounged on the sofa.

"They're sorcerers, right?" They replied. When you had originally told them about your family they didn't believe it. It was a power they'd only seen in movies, so they were immediately starstruck. They didn't ask much about it out of respect for you, but that didn't stop them from ignorantly researching from time to time.

You nodded toward their response. "Right, there's a lot of...bureaucracy within that community. It's almost like it's own governmental body," you awkwardly laughed to yourself for a moment, "a lot of the time, the Japanese government has to speak to us first regarding certain matters." How you spoke of this 'community' made it seem incredibly serious to Seiko, their heart fluttered from the stress of your statement. "Essentially, families involved, certain families, have sorcery that can be and have to be passed down through generations. We all play a part."

You began to recall the moment you were pulled into that room those years ago, a recent graduate of the technical college, newly aged nineteen.

You came from a lineage of 'imbuers.' With a technique not made for combat, your family's power involved imbuing and maintaining cursed objects; something only your family could do. Though it was not often needed, it was still a critical part in the community, critical enough for your family to be considered a part of one of the 'big three' but not enough to make it the 'big four.' Though this did mean your family had a certain closeness to those three other families: Kamo, Zenin, and Gojo.

You had been called to the Gojo estate after work, it was a job you had recently acquired to keep yourself busy and to gain a sense of independence from your smothering family. Your parents were already there after attending a previous meeting with the head of said clan. You weren't told the subject of the meeting, just that it would be between your parents and the head of the Gojo family. Per usual for these visits, you wore a traditional kimono. It's fabric and tightness noticeably uncomfortable after your long work day. You could think of a thousand different places you'd rather be.

You were lead into one of the smaller rooms toward the back of the estate, your sock feet shuffling along the wood floors. An attendant slid back the shoji door for you to find yourself being the last one to arrive.

Your parents, as well as the head of the Gojo clan and his wife, knelt on one side of a low table, their hands folded in their laps and a formal, somber look on their faces. Notably, their son who was also your age, Satoru Gojo, sat opposite of them with an open spot next to him clearly meant for you. 

He turned his head back to look at you as you entered, black sunglasses perched upon his nose. He had a pearly white smile on his face as he playfully patted the zabuton next to him to which his father gave him a stern look that Satoru ignored. You lightly rolled your eyes and took your assigned place next to him. He, too, was forced to wear a yukata for the formality of such a meeting. 

You cleared your throat and cautiously looked at each of them only to receive no response to your sudden presence other than their intense stares. 

"Um," your voice was mouse-like, "what's going on here? Why...did you all summon us like this?" Satoru's presence was certainly a surprise. Usually these meetings were about an object needing imbued where only the family heads were involved.

You noticed your parents exchanging a nervous glance at one another before looking back at you. Your mother shifted and looked toward her lap as your father took the lead. The head Gojo and his wife kept their stoic expressions.

"We've gathered you here to discuss an important matter," your father's voice almost shook in intimidation, "it concerns the future of our families and our...clans."

"You see," your mother chimed in to give her cautious support, "there has been an...arrangement made between our families." 

Knowing where this was going without needing to be told, Satoru smiled once again and placed his hands behind his head, stretching, in preparation for the big reveal. You gave your mother a look that egged her on, a look of extreme concern. You felt the beating in your chest increase as if your heart had suddenly become a steel hammer.

"It's a marriage proposal, dear," Satoru's mother piped up seriously, her voice regal but still with a hint of warmth. Her husband's stare, however... It was no wonder your parents were intimidated every time the Gojos came around.  

You felt a moment of shock, frustration, and disbelief to what you had just heard. There was no way in this day and age that this was happening. Your mind raced in search of an appropriate way to respond, an appropriate way to reject the idea. It couldn't come to you.

"A marriage proposal, are you serious?" You looked between the four of them with your eyes wide, your adolescence showing through. Your voice was shaky, a tinge of incredulity to it.

"As serious as a heart attack," Satoru sighed happily, still wearing his infuriatingly cheerful smile as if this wasn't a huge deal. He seemed completely at ease with the situation. He was clearly used to these types of 'situations' being from the top family in the realm of jujutsu.

Your father nodded earnestly, "Yes, we are. It's a...proposition that could...solidify the bonds between our clans and...ensure our continued prosperity." That was it...money. They were doing this for money. Your heart felt like it had angrily snapped in two.

"And it's not a decision we've taken lightly, dear. We've thought long and hard about it," your mother's voice was sweet, but what you heard was absolute betrayal falling from her lips. 

Seeing your disbelief, Satoru's father responded with a composed tone of anger. "It is necessary for our clan to produce an heir to keep the balance of society," Satoru's father finally spoke, his aging brow seriously furrowed. "Our son is the last of our name. It is of utmost importance that the Six Eyes as well as Limitless go on and we need to ensure that happens. Especially considering the recent events involving the special grade curse user Geto Suguru." 

Satoru's smile was quickly erased at the mention of his best friend's name. It was something he never wanted to think about again if he could.

You couldn't believe what you were hearing; marrying someone you hardly thought of as a friend, let alone a romantic partner, was unthinkable. The absurdity of it all made you want to laugh but you could tell from the air in the room alone that this was no joke.

"I..." your voice shook as you struggled to maintain your composure, "I can't believe this. We hardly know one another and you expect us to get married?!" 

Satoru, who was leaning on his hands as he sat on his own zabuton, taking things so nonchalantly, leaned forward to capture your attention. It was hard to look away from his bright blue eyes as they carelessly stared at you from behind his black lenses. 

"Look, I know it's unexpected, but maybe it's not so bad, right?" He was trying to play mediator here. He, too, had absolutely no interest in having a wife. He just wanted his family to shut up about it; he'd deal with the consequences of ultimately having no heir later.

You shot him an incredulous look, almost flinching at his words. "Seriously, Gojo? You think this is a good idea?"

He shrugged, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Who knows? We might surprise ourselves. Plus, we've known each other for a long time, right?" 

Since birth, you thought to yourself. He was essentially a childhood best friend that had drifted away in your teen years. At this point, you'd call yourselves acquaintances if anything.

You couldn't help but roll your eyes again at his casual attitude. The weight of the situation bore down on you, and you turned back to your parents. "Can we at least discuss this further? I need some time to think about it."

Just before your sentence ended and your parents had a chance to respond, the head of the Gojo clan answered with a booming voice. "There is no further need for discussion. We have made our decision and the two of you will wed within the year."

You were taken aback by his forceful insistence. It was clear that he was not open to any type of negotiations or delays. The situation had taken a sharp and unexpected turn, and it seemed as though your fate had been sealed without any say in the matter. The days ahead would be filled with uncertainty and apprehension as you faced the reality of an impending marriage to Satoru Gojo, whether you liked it or not.

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一期一会 | ichi-go, ichi-e | Part One

一期一会 | ichi-go, ichi-e Masterlist

Summary: The Tokyo premiere of Elvis brings Austin Butler into your life. He proves difficult to treat as just another client, and the effects of your choices will have lasting consequences.

Pairing: Austin Butler x Female Reader

Warnings: Fluff, Language, Sexual Tension, Longing Glances, Brief Violence, Mentions of Alcohol Consumption, Mature/Explicit Themes [oral and manual stimulation - f receiving, penetration, unprotected intercourse] - 18+ Only

Disclaimer: For entertainment purposes only. This story is in no way based on fact. The rumoured bar fight between Austin Butler and Ezra Miller has been disproven. This is only an exploration of one possible explanation. The thoughts and experiences of life in Japan are based on my own experience of living there for nearly seven years and may not reflect the thoughts and experiences of others.

Inspiration: This fantastic gif set courtesy of @carnevol

Word Count: 10,208

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“Sources close to Austin tell TMZ the incident never happened, and Austin never even stepped foot in a pub during his time in Japan as the initial claims suggested. Not to mention, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department tells TMZ they have no record of the incident.”

You smile to yourself as you skim through the article on TMZ, body jostling with the movements of the packed rush hour train taking you home to your Asakusa apartment after another long day. It had worked. The best ¥20,000 you’d ever spent. Sliding your phone into your purse you shift your eyes to the scenery flying by the window, letting your mind wander back a few days.

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The morning of June 28, 2022 promised to be hot and clear in Tokyo. The rainy season was not living up to its name this year, with temperatures much hotter much sooner than expected. The weather, however, was the furthest thing from your mind at 5 AM that morning.

After years of studying, of working your way up the rigid corporate ladder, you were finally being deployed on a translation assignment. Sadly, not as one of the primary translators assigned to the celebrities in Tokyo to promote Elvis over the next few days, but even being an alternate was an achievement.

It was not common for people born outside of Japan to be hired by translation companies, but since arriving in Japan five years ago, you had immersed yourself in the culture and the language. It had not been difficult to do so; your teaching assignment from the government had you living in a fishing village on the northern island of Hokkaido. It had been in your best interest to learn to communicate with the locals. Long, dark winter nights had been perfect for studying, and you had measured your progress by taking the Japan Language Proficiency Exams twice annually.

As your teaching contract came to an end, two years ago now, you had just achieved the level of N1, native speaker, and thought you may as well shoot for the stars when you applied to work for a translation company in Tokyo that often provided services to the entertainment industry.

By some miracle, they had actually taken a chance on you. The first year, you had not stepped out of the building on assignment once; in charge of arrangements by phone, making tea for the office, observing your superiors.

When that didn’t make you up and leave, you were slowly used as a supplementary translator at conferences, inching your way closer to TV shows and red carpet events. When you’d received the assignment in early June, your colleague Sachiko had pulled you into the bathroom to squeal with you excitedly. She was nearly fifty and had taken it upon herself to look after you as her own daughter.

You’d run everything by her, what to wear, how to do your hair and makeup, wanting everything to be just right for this opportunity.

You looked yourself over in the mirror, hair pulled back off your face, makeup just enough to make you look fresh-faced, but not too bold. Your black skirt suit was perfectly tailored, and you wore a black blouse with black lace accents on the collar and cap sleeves beneath it. Despite the heat, you were wearing black nylons, a must in Japanese society, and modest black heels. Not too tall as to stand out.  Your job today was to disappear into the background, a shadow placed behind the talent to ensure the list of interviews, and later the premiere, were perfectly executed to the studio’s standards.

Despite the low chance of rain in the forecast, you still took your umbrella as you headed out to the train station in the weak light of dawn. Rather than just a probability, you’d found the percentage of precipitation in the forecast was more of an indication of how much of the day it would rain or snow. The day’s schedule began with morning shows and that meant the group needed to be on camera in Fuji television studios by 9:30.

The team for the day – Sachiko, Yuka, Mr. Kimura, and yourself, met at the office before heading to the hotel to join Mr. Luhrmann and Mr. Butler. That was how you were instructed to address them, even if they requested otherwise.

Protocol and hierarchy were deeply entrenched into Japanese society. Everything one did orbited around where one fit into the current social situation. Thus, you entered the suite last, carrying a bag of clipboards, pens, water…anything the primary translators might need in the execution of their duties. Mr. Kimura was in the lead, the supervisor for the day. As he’d introduced himself to them and their people, you had set your items down in the corner and lined up with Sachiko and Yuka. Mr. Kimura introduced Sachiko as Mr. Luhrmann’s translator, Yuka as Mr. Butler’s, and you as a back up. The three of you bowed deeply at the waist, hands pressed to the outside of your thighs, giving the highest level of courtesy to your clients for the day.

As you straightened, you swallowed thickly as your eyes were caught by the startling blue of Mr. Butler’s gaze. You’d never encountered a gaze with such a physical impact in and of itself. You could fairly feel his eyes taking in your face…trailing down your body. You felt several things …confusion – you were not entirely certain what you had done to draw his attention……panic – you were supposed to be invisible, and he was most definitely looking at you…attraction – he was handsome. Why hadn’t you prepared yourself for that?! Everything about him was lanky grace. Long limbs, long fingers, long lingering looks. And then he opened his mouth to speak.

“It’s very nice to meet you all” He murmured in agreement with whatever Mr. Luhrmann had said. Well shit, you job was also to listen even through a cacophony of chatter…this was not a good start. But you did hear the sleepy rasp in his voice…his voice dripping with a southern accent that tasted like an old fashioned – bourbon forward with a sweet cherry finish. You were fucked.

You managed to murmur platitudes about looking forward to working with them, prompted by Sachiko and Yuka as they cheerfully replied first. You turned to gather the bags and stood against the wall as the primary translators stepped forward to work on building rapport with their clients. You fished a clipboard with the schedule on it from the supply bag and busied your eyes with tracing the numbers and letters on the paper. You knew it by heart, but the exercise was grounding, and you were able to slow your racing heart.

The scent of citrus mixed with something utterly masculine seeped into your thoughts and you lifted your head, startled to find him standing right in front of you. The plush of the hotel carpet had muffled his approach. You cleared your throat to try and regain your senses.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there. Is there anything I can help with you, Mr. Butler.”

That mouth, with those luscious pink lips, formed your name. You watched his tongue move with the vowel sounds as though he was tasting it and you shifted a little on your heels.

“Th..that’s right.” It was a herculean task to tear your eyes from his lips, to speak coherent words. Meeting his eyes had been an equally bad idea, though. There were flecks of colour in the rich blue of his irises, and you had just wanted to spend hours cataloguing each of them devotedly.

“I just wanted to say hi, even though we might not work that closely together.” He had outstretched his hand, and you had reached yours out in kind, watching as his warm skin and long fingers engulfed yours completely.

“Please let me know if you need anything. Anything at all. I’m happy to help.” You had felt the blush on your cheeks; you were helpless to stop it. You settled your eyes on his left cheekbone, the beauty marks trailing along his skin there.

You’d spent so long in Japanese society, where eye contact was considered too forward, that looking most people in the eye was rather difficult. Mr. Butler’s eyes were like staring into a welder’s arc…certain to blind you.

“There may be times when Yuka needs a break or has to step away. I will take over then, but hopefully I’ll be able to let you know so you’re not startled.” Focusing on the task at hand had helped you find the ability to articulate yourself again.

“I look forward to it…” He murmured and squeezed your hand again before releasing it gently. His personal assistant appeared then, from somewhere to the right of your eye line, and pulled him into a discussion about the schedule. You had seized the opportunity to escape, sliding along the wall to check in with your team. They had sent you down to ensure the van was ready to depart and you took a deep breath of the scentless air outside the hotel room to refocus.

You found the van waiting out front of the hotel and called Mr. Kimura to confirm it was ready. You waited patiently, making polite conversation with the driver, before you had heard some squealing from a group of girls waiting to the side of the hotel entrance. You looked over to see those long legs carrying him down the stairs with nothing short of a cocky swagger. The distance allowed you the opportunity to take in his outfit: black pants, black boots polished to a shine, a white t-shirt and open pinstripe button-up.

It was not fair how handsome he looked in that assortment of clothes, with his tanned skin and sun-kissed hair. You had tensed as you felt it again…that gaze…you stifled a gasp as he had caught you in the process of drinking him in. You turned to confirm one last thing with the driver, hoping the blush would disappear from your cheeks. They were still warm when the scent of citrus came close again…mixed now with a hint of cedar. His cologne had been evolving as his body heat warmed it. You swallowed tightly and slid on your KN95 mask. It was perfectly matched to your skin tone to encourage eyes to overlook you.

There was only half a seat left on the forward bench when you went to climb in last. Beside Mr. Butler. He’d settled with his legs slightly spread but upon seeing your conundrum, he’d shifted to make room for you. You gritted your teeth and perched on as little of the seat as possible. The driver pulled the rolling door shut and you had jumped a little at the sound.

“So, may I ask how you found yourself in this profession?” He spoke in a low voice, just for you, and you could feel it slide along your skin. The question made your lips slide into a thin line beneath your mask, reminding you of the constant micro-aggressions: ‘Where are you from?’ ‘Why can you speak Japanese so well?’ ‘When are you going home?’ Japan was not an easy place to make a home when you had been born somewhere else.

The driver had pulled out into traffic, swerving suddenly as a cyclist darted into traffic, and your perch on the seat did nothing to prevent you from being thrown into his side. He may be slim but under those clothes he was solid. His hands had gripped your elbows to steady you as you began apologizing profusely, pulling back to return his personal space to him.

“Really, I am so sorry” You looked up into his eyes as you apologized one last time, sitting your butt fully into the seat. Your thigh had pressed against his and he made no move to shift away. You could see his face was earnest, question genuine, so you took a deep breath and launch into the simplified version. Once you were fully seated, his hands had settled back into his lap.

He leaned in, listening intently as you spoke, focusing your gaze on the city passing by the window. It was, again, just shy of making eye contact, but you could see those damn blue eyes out in the periphery of your vision. You got the impression the mask bothered him, but it was still required for staff and crew to wear masks when in close proximity with talent. He had asked the occasional question as you explained all the forces that had brought you here, mostly your own efforts, but mostly he just listened with such an intensity your heart fluttered irregularly.

As you neared the end of your answer, you had noticed you were only five minutes from the first television station and could hear Sachiko talking to Mr. Luhrmann about what to expect.

“Did you have any questions about your first interview, Mr. Butler?”

He had started a little and shook his head. “Austin, please.”

“I apologize but I am not able to do that, Mr. Butler.”

He sighed and rubbed his fingers along his chin thoughtfully. “What is ‘good morning’ again?”

“Ohayou gozaimasu. You can slow it down and remember it using English words though…Ohio goes-I-muss.”

He grinned and practiced it a few times. “So arigatou goes-I-muss is thank you then?”

You nodded encouragingly. “Exactly. But Yuka will be right there with you.”

“You’ll be there too, right?” He asked quickly and something in his voice had made you glance at his eyes quickly. He somehow seemed a little…nervous?

“Absolutely, I’ll be behind the camera” You nodded and turned as the driver had parked and was now opening the door. You slid out quickly and stood off to the side to bring up the rear again. The glass building was huge and imposing as the group headed in, Mr. Butler chatting with his assistant and Mr. Luhrmann alternatingly.

The two men were run through make-up and mic’d up backstage while you helped Yuka and Sachiko prepare for the live, simultaneous translation. It was possibly the most difficult task that could be requested of a translator. The hosts would speak to the guests in Japanese with the translators immediately translating into the ear of the guest from behind. The guests would then answer in English and the translator would translate it into Japanese for the host and the camera. To an outsider it looked like utter chaos. To a translator it was a very careful juggling act, and the clipboards for notetaking were essential tools to ensure it all went smoothly.

Once everyone was in place, you had stood behind camera to watch the live segment. You could not help but feel a growing affection for Mr. Butler. He kept his arms crossed, obviously feeling out of his element, but was still so warm and friendly in his responses. He would have been a dream to translate for, you thought. He modulated his answers to make them easier to relay, and always turned toward Yuka as she provided English translation to him. A gentleman who refused to ignore what everyone was begging him to not see.

He had found you pretty early on in the segment and glanced when he delivered his adorably accented ‘good morning.’ You had grinned brightly, eyes crinkling with your encouragement, and he had found them again as the clips of Elvis had played. You had to admit you were quite excited that you would get a chance to watch the film that evening. There was something in the way that man moved that made it difficult to breathe…

After the segment came to an end your group had moved off the set to allow the rest of the morning show to play out. You stepped away to the windows overlooking Tokyo Bay to slide your mask off one ear, taking a deep sip of water from your bottle. You slid the mask back on and turned to see if they had been freed from backstage. He was looking at you again with that gaze, pretending to listen to something his assistant was saying. Your breath hitched in your throat, and you were grateful as Mr. Kimura came over to give you more marching orders and keep you on task.

The rest of the morning show segments were taped to be aired a later date. They were at most five minutes long, but with driving time, it was nearing noon by the time you returned to the hotel. Mr. Butler had saved you the seat beside him every time, asking questions about your favourite restaurant in Tokyo, or how to say good afternoon. He also asked if any temples or shrines would be open after the premiere was finished and after he humored Baz with some karaoke.

“Kaminari-mon and Sensoji temple stay lit and accessible all night long, so you could definitely go see those no matter what time you’re finished for the day.” You had replied.  Stepping out back at the hotel, you confirmed on your schedule that lunch was next, then Mr. Luhrmann and Mr. Butler had a break before a special segment would be recorded at the hotel.

They would be meeting Yukawa Reiko, a Japanese music journalist who had met Elvis three times before his untimely death. She was also known for her close relationship with Yoko Ono and John Lennon. Your group headed up to the suite where a set of high-end bento lunch boxes were waiting along with a variety of bottled drinks. You hung back against the wall as Mr. Kimura gave them another run down of the schedule and invited them to eat.

The whole team had then waited in silence for the clients to decide if they would take the food back to their rooms or if they would invite you dine with them. Assumptions were never made, interaction was never forced, but Japanese hospitality dictated that you all wait until the clients’ wishes were made clear.

“Please, eat with us” Baz had smiled brightly, and you couldn’t help the thrill in your stomach. More time to stare at him. Maybe he would ask you more questions, you had thought. You grabbed a bento and a bottle of sanpin-cha – a blend of jasmine and oolong teas from Okinawa. Mr. Butler was right beside you, looking over the selections. You could empathize; the stylized labels provided little insight to a non-native speaker. You had walked him through the choices, describing the tastes of each, before he settled on a barley tea. He pulled out a chair for you at the long table and gestured with a graceful motion of his hand, inviting you to sit.

“Thank you very much” You sat with him warmly, pulling a pair of reusable chopsticks out of your bag and had removed your mask to start eating carefully. You looked to him and decided you should at least ask him one question in return…but nothing cliché…not about his last twenty-four hours in Japan…not about making the movie…

“So how did you end up in your profession?” You turned his own question back onto him. You flushed with a hint of pride at his soft laugh before he launched into the simplified version of his career for you.

People had begun to excuse themselves from the table, Mr. Luhrmann back to his room, your team to rest for a while in the bedrooms of the suite, but the two of you had stayed there just talking. Somehow, you’d landed on the topic of travel, and you had regaled him with your current project of visiting each of Japan’s forty-seven prefectures.

“The country is only the size of California, but each region is so remarkably distinct, it’s just so fascinating to explore them all.” You were chancing more frequent glances at his eyes the longer you talked. They were somehow irresistible, drawing you in like refreshing pools of water on this very hot day.

“I really wish I was here longer; my first time and its all of forty-eight hours…” He had sighed wistfully, but a polite cough from his assistant, recently returned from her room, brought you both back to reality.

“I’m sorry Austin but we need to get you ready for the meeting with Ms. Yukawa.”

He had apologized to her and then again to you before excusing himself. Finding yourself alone in the suite, you had slid out of your suit jacket, slipped out of your heels, and stood in front of the air conditioner to try and cool down. You knew that the heat in your cheeks had little to do with the temperature outside and much, much more to do with the intensity of Mr. Butler; it was almost entirely due to your growing desire for the man. You exhaled slowly, trying to ignore the lingering scent of sandalwood he had left behind, the low note in the cologne he was wearing.

It had flooded your senses and spoken to the ancient part of your brain that was quite insistent he would make an excellent mate; the sooner you swapped gametes, the better. You slammed the heel of your palm into your forehead with a groan, trying to reset your brain like a faulty hard drive. You were not successful.

You had managed to get some rest and recollect yourself, heading down to one of the meeting rooms where three chairs had been set up with a plexiglass barrier between them for Mr. Luhrmann, Mr. Butler, and Ms. Yukawa to engage in a filmed conversation. It would be easier translation this time as the footage would be edited to allow for smooth playback for the Japanese audience. Ms. Yukawa had not been provided a translator and asked if someone might be able to assist her as her hearing wasn’t what it used to be. It was hard for her to hear Sachiko and Yuka with masks on and plexiglass between them.

Mr. Kimura had nodded at you then and your veins flooded with a thrill of adrenaline. You stepped forward and bowed deeply to her, introducing yourself to her warmly. You had felt those eyes on you again, watching intently, and surely listening, as you spoke Japanese. You took your place behind her, off camera, clipboard in had to note important words to hit in your translation. You narrowed your focus to just the words, trying to push out that accent that felt like it was licking at the shell of your ear every time Mr. Butler spoke. You could see the joy on his face, as well as Mr. Luhrmann’s, as you translated Ms. Yukawa’s statement that she was grateful to tears for such a beautiful film about Elvis’s life.

There was passion in him, you realized. Passion for the film, passion for the man he had been chosen to portray…and unless you were mistaken, a desire to like every part of his life with that same passion. The allotted time for recording the meeting flew by rapidly and as it ended, it took you a moment to re-engage the rest of your brain, to flesh out into a full human and not the pared down translation machine. You thanked Ms. Yukawa profusely for her time and returned to your place at the back of the room as Mr. Kimura instructed your team to go rest for the next two hours while the clients changed for the premiere.

You did not miss the slide of Mr. Butlers eyes along your cheek as he was ushered up to his room to get ready. Your eyes had flicked to his, and he’d nodded to you before following his assistant out the door. You had followed your colleagues back up to the working suite, hanging up your suit jacket before laying on one of the futon on the floor to try and sleep. You’d been up since five and the main event of the day was still yet to come. You were restless at first, mind filled with his voice, his glances, his cologne…but fatigue, thankfully, won out and you managed an hour of sleep before forcing yourself up to brush your teeth and fix your hair and makeup.

You could only imagine how tired the two men must be, all of this heaped onto the jetlag…

It was a fleet of sleek black cars waiting in front of the hotel entrance for your group this time, and you waited at the door of the last car in the line. Lowest in the hierarchy meant you needed to be there first, waiting. The combination of squealing and the familiar caress of his gaze turned your head to look up at the steps. Your fingers nearly dropped the supply bag as he stepped out of the hotel doors in all white, shirt unbuttoned down to his sternum, a gold chain and pendant on the tanned, exposed skin of his chest.

You had briefly wished your heart would arrest at that point…the rhythm was so chaotic it would not have been too much to ask. You swallowed quickly as there was a lot of saliva in your mouth all of a sudden. You had turned away and snapped your mask onto your face like armour, holding the car door open for Mr. Kimura to slide in. Mr. Butler’s eyes met yours and he had offered you a nod with just the hint of a smirk before sliding into the front car with Mr. Luhrmann.

You quickly jumped into your vehicle and the trio of automobiles headed out through traffic to the event. It was quite frankly unlike anything you’d ever experienced; a glittering pink carpet packed with media and fans. Somehow through it all Mr. Butler seemed utterly calm and cool, while Mr. Luhrmann stole the show with over-the-top excitement. You were all watching the Jailhouse Rock dance performance by a popular Japanese dance group when Yuka tugged at your sleeve sharply.

“I have a headache and sore throat; protocol says I have to leave. Good luck.” She had bowed deeply to you before slipping off through the crowd. You looked after her in concern before Mr. Kimura shifted to stand beside you.

“Are you ready?” He asked and you nodded quickly, grateful you’d had a bit of a warmup earlier in the day with Ms. Yukawa. You stepped over behind Mr. Butler and took a breath to interrupt his focus on the dance troupe. Your senses were flooded with that cologne again, eyes inadvertently fluttering shut. The whisper of your name, in that voice, against your ear made then snap open again. He was so very close to you…your heart rabbited in your chest, but you clenched your fists, digging your nails into your palms to ground your focus.

“Yuka has had to leave, I will be assisting you through the Q&A, Mr. Butler.” You had leaned up to murmur in his ear.

His smile was small, just visible to you, as he nodded once before looking back to the performance. Every concession and consideration he had provided Yuka was offered to you two-fold. His eyes sought yours as you translated questions, he broke his answers into neat chunks or simply kept them brief to allow you to accurately convey his words to the audience. By the time you were ushered into the theatre to watch the film, you wondered if he might not just sleep through it. It was dark enough and surely he had been tired enough.

You, however, were on the edge of your seat from the first. The haunting line from Suspicious Minds took a hold of you and the film did not let you go for all two hours and thirty-nine minutes of it. It was not so absorbing, however, that you didn’t feel his presence in the seat to your left like the glow of superheated embers. Every nerve in your body was happily announcing to you that he was right there, that man on the screen who was moving his hips like that, making you cross and re-cross your legs in an attempt to keep your arousal to yourself.

His gaze had found your thighs as your skirt inched higher along your nylons with all your fidgeting. You had sunk your teeth into your bottom lip, taking slow breaths through your nose. Do not look at him, you had thought. Do not acknowledge or encourage…your fingers gripped the hem of your skirt, not so subtly, and tried to pull it down a little.

Lust was not the only feeling the film had aroused in you, however. By the time he was delivering the speech about the bird without legs, you were dabbing at your eyes with the cuff of your suit jacket, trying to wick away tears before they could fall down your cheeks.

As the credits began to roll, the theatre erupted into applause, cheers, and a standing ovation. You were quick to join in, risking a glance at him. He was blushing now, and you felt somewhat vindicated to see him embarrassed for once today. But how humble it was of him, to be able to embody such an ego on film so very well and yet remain so down-to-earth. You had all piled into the cars then, heading back to the hotel suite. You had been weighed down by the sudden realization that this magical day really was at an end. You and Sachiko were in the middle of a sweep of the suite when you heard Mr. Butler calling your name. You looked at Sachiko and she dropped all her professionalism with a broad grin.

“Ichi-go, ichi-e” She stated simply, and you had flushed scarlet. She’d proceeded to shoo you out into the main room, and you smoothed your suit jacket in a self-soothing motion.

“Mr. Butler?”

He laughed and shook his head. “Look, Baz is determined about the whole karaoke thing, and we have no idea where to go or how to do it…Please?”

You swallowed roughly, Sachiko’s words ringing in your ears. Live life now. Live it to the fullest as though this moment would never come again.

“Of course, I can help you two find a place.” You grabbed your purse and nodded.

“On one condition…” He had grinned slyly.

You had looked to him startled; not certain he was in any position to put stipulations on a favour he’d ask of you.

“You have got to stop calling me Mr. Butler.” He laughed cheekily and you couldn’t help your bark of relieved laughter.

“Fine…Austin. Are you two ready to go now?”

He had nodded enthusiastically, and you had bowed deeply to Sachiko, thanking her for all her hard work that day, before following him out. Honestly, karaoke bars were not that hard to find once one knew what they were looking for, but you reminded yourself you too had once been a lost foreigner. You found a reputable chain location close to the hotel, one you even had a points card for, and booked them a room for an hour. Their assistants were there, along with a few other people you didn’t recognize. You weren’t certain if you were meant to join them until long, warm fingers wrapped around your wrist and pulled you into the room.

Even with the air conditioning it was warm, so you slid out of your suit jacket…The skin of your arms was not given the opportunity to cool down, however, as the fabric of your jacket was quickly replaced with the heat of his gaze taking in the new territory. You made sure everything was set up in English for them, passing the mic to Baz who was bouncing with excitement. You tried to find the back corner of the room, but your wrist was in his grasp again and you were pulled into the space beside him, pressed quite close.

It behooved any resident of Japan to learn a karaoke specialty song, inevitably you would be called upon to perform for karaoke with friends or colleagues and it was better to be prepared. You had been sly in your choice, learning a song that usually came with guide vocals at most establishments. Many people usually knew it from graduation ceremonies, but that would not be the case with this group. So, when the tablet was thrust into your hands by an enthusiastic Austin to input your song, you had easily found Angela Aki’s 手紙 ～拝啓 十五の君へ～, (Letter: Greetings to My 15-Year-Old Self). That was not to say you had not been petrified; a fear which only deepened when he performed Polk Salad Annie for you all.

To hear his voice in the movie theatre had been one thing. To hear it coming from the man next to you, to feel the vibrations of his voice where his side pressed against yours, was entirely another. He had handed you the microphone, still warm from his grasp, as the opening strains of the song came up and you tried to push out all the distractions. You knew this song; you would be fine…and you sang. It was not going to win you a Grammy, but you made it through without missing notes or words, the hallmark of a successful karaoke performance. You even had the room clapping along to the beat during the bridge.

You were still grateful when the song ended, passing the microphone to his assistant as though it was scalding your hand. As she took over singing a Britney Spears song, you felt him lean in close.

“Will you tell me what it means after this?” He had intoned into your ear.

You swallowed visibly, had seen his eyes flick to your throat to watch the motion closely, and nodded firmly. More songs were sung, and suddenly the five-minute warning flashed across the screen. You double-checked if they wanted to extend the time, but everyone was suddenly looking quite tired…even Austin. You had settled the bill for the drinks, snacks, and booth rental with Baz; you did the talking, he did the paying. The group meandered back to the hotel, and you stopped in the lobby as people began filtering up to the elevators, wishing each other good night. Austin leaned in close to your ear, looking as though he was saying farewell.

“Give me five minutes? I want to take you somewhere.” Were the words that actually came out of his mouth.

You had nodded, rendered mute, and sat in one of the lobby chairs, checking your texts idly. True to form, he was back within the promised time frame, wearing the black short-sleeved button up and black pants from that afternoon’s meeting with Ms. Yukawa. He had a mask over his face, but truly it did little to hide how overwhelmingly attractive he was. You had moved to your feet as you saw him step out of the elevator and he took your hand, leading you to the line of cabs.

He helped you in and looked to the driver. “Kaminari-mon onegai.”

You had been running through an endless list of guesses as to where he wanted to take you, but this was the best of all. You squeezed his hand gently and added your more formal ‘onegaishimasu’ to the driver who bowed and pulled out onto the much quieter streets.

“So…the song…It obviously meant something to you…”

Your cheeks reddened but you nodded.

“It is a letter to the performer’s 15 year old self, talking to them about all they have been through…saying things like believe in your own voice, don’t give up…even as an adult there are nights when my heart is broken and I can’t sleep, but I am still alive…I was a pretty awkward kid, I would have loved to get a letter like that from myself at that age. Because things are better now. I can pull up the lyrics if you’d like?” You looked to him in the intermittent glow of streetlights and signs, but he shook his head.

“I’ll look it up another time, I’d rather look at you right now.”

Your heart gave one terrific thud, and you were certain that might have been the last blow it could take, but somehow the rhythm kickstarted again and you exhaled shakily. The driver pulled up to the massive lantern hanging beneath a bright red gate and turned to ask you for fare. You pulled out your wallet, filled with cash as Japan was still very much a cash-based society and paid, despite Austin’s protests, before sliding out.

The temple complex was much quieter now than it was during the daytime, but it was well-lit and striking. His hand took yours again as his other busied itself snapping photos on his phone. You walked slowly, letting him set the pace, telling him a little about the history of the place. The normally bustling Nakamise shopping street was shuttered for the evening, but you were thrilled as Austin gravitated to the intricate street art painted onto the metal shutters. Your path up to the temple was winding and inefficient, but he was so clearly enjoying himself and you were feeling very privileged to see it.

You had showed him how to cleanse himself with incense before stepping onto the sacred grounds and led him over to say a prayer on the steps of the temple. You had fished a few five yen coins out of your wallet, holding one out to him.

“Go-en, it’s a homonym for destiny. The best coin to pray with. This temple is dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon. She embodies compassion.” You dropped your coin in the wooden coin box before bowing deeply and pressing your hands together. You waited quietly as you heard the noise of his coin ricocheting against the sides of wooden box after he tossed it in, finishing your prayer with a bow. As soon as you had looked up, his hand had seized yours again.

“What else can we do at this time of night?” He was so intently focused on making the most of every moment in this country, your heart ached a little.

“I’ll take you to my favourite izakaya…it’s like a pub. I actually live quite close to here.”

He had nodded eagerly and, unfortunately, neither of you had been blessed with the slightest inkling of what would happen there.

It was busier than you had anticipated, with a large number of ex-pats seated at tables. The owner had heard the bell above the door jingle as you entered, calling out his blanket welcome of ‘Irasshaimase!’ before looking up. He grinned broadly and called out your name in a more personal greeting.

“Konbanwa Nakamura-san! Futari, onegaishimasu.” You held up two fingers, asking for two seats.

“Kauntaa de ii no kai?” He gestured to the only two open seats at the counter, next to the yakitori grill. You looked up to Austin.

“Are you ok with the counter?” He had nodded enthusiastically and the two of you had wound your way over to take the seats. You hung your suit jacket and purse on the hook under the counter, asking the owner for one English menu along with a Japanese one for you.

You worked through the options with him, choosing a few snacks and drinks. You placed the order with the owner, feeling Austin’s gaze on your mouth and throat as you spoke. The blush had crept up from below your blouse, but you remained focused on what you were trying to communicate. You looked to him slowly as you finished, and he shook his head in awe.

“I don’t think I will ever get tired of hearing you speak Japanese…You really love it, don’t you.”

You laughed shyly but nodded with a shrug.

“I do…it’s a language with a lot of meaning and history and levels of formality and…” You nodded again and watched the fingers of his left hand trace along the characters of the Japanese menu in front of you.

“It looks impossible to read…There’s no reference to anything I know here.”

“You start with the basics, each segment of the more complicated kanji has a meaning, so it’s all about how they are combined and where certain characters are placed.”

He raised an eyebrow dubiously and you laughed, pulling out a notebook and pen from your purse.

“Let me show you. So, for example,  there are two words for love: ai and koi. But the difference between them is illustrated by where the character for heart is positioned. This is kokoro – heart.”

You carefully drew the kanji 心.

“It’s pretty straight forward, four chambers just like a real heart. A much more accurate representation than a Western heart symbol. Now this, is ai, a deep abiding love. Long lasting, and can describe either romantic or platonic love.”

You drew the kanji 愛.

“The heart is here, in the middle…in your chest…” You were so wrapped up in your explanation that you didn’t even process that you were pressing your hand against the centre of his chest. He was watching raptly, licking his lips.

“Whereas koi is a shallow love, based on attraction, usually describing flings or the early stages of a relationship. It’s also part of the word for lover, only used for romantic situations.”

You drew the kanji 恋.

“This time the heart is at the bottom of the kanji, between the…” Your words stumbled a little, and you gestured vaguely towards his lap. “…legs.” It was your turn to watch the way his Adam’s apple bobbed in a visible swallow.

The clunk of your drinks being set on the bar pulled your attention away from his throat. You moved to put away the notebook, but he plucked it from your fingers, carefully extracting the page you’d given him the kanji lesson on. You watched as he folded it with care into four before sliding it into his breast pocket. You took a deep, bracing sip of your drink as the snacks began to arrive and you two set about sampling the various items.

He had asked more questions about the different kanji on the menu, and you had happily explained them, using the same technique your first Japanese teacher had used. You had used the stroke count to differentiate the kanji for one, two, and three; gotten him to see the shape of a cow’s horns in the kanji for gyu 牛 (beef). Neither of you had noticed the couple beside you leave, nor the increase of volume as a new boisterous group arrived. You did, however, notice him tense as someone hollered his name through the crowd.

You turned your head to follow his gaze, eyes widening a little as Ezra Miller had crowded into your local izakaiya with a pack of friends. The conversation had seemed friendly at first, if a little tense. The two celebrities had exchanged pleasantries and explanations of what had brought each of them to Tokyo.

“I saw the film when I was in Hawaii…Decent job, Butler.” Ezra had said in a tone that set your teeth on edge. It was very clearly a back-handed compliment. You saw the muscles of Austin’s jaw bunch as they clenched in an effort to stay civil. “Well, if you’re done with your Japanese tutor here, why don’t you two get out of our way so we can sit down” They had said, snide tone no longer gilded with a sheen of feigned civility.

“Don’t talk about her that way.” Austin had said tersely, sitting taller on the bar stool. “We were here first and have no intention of leaving until we’re good and ready.”

“Defending a nobody in a department store suit, Butler? What happened to the revolving door of actresses and models? Why are you wasting your time on a dowdy thing like…” You never did get a chance to hear the rest of Ezra Miller’s insults.

Austin had slid to his feet, drawn himself to his full intimidating height, and employed the toned muscles of his right arm to slam his right fist into Ezra’s jaw. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as their face had snapped to the side under the force, spit flying from their venomous lips as they stumbled back into their group of friends. As they tried to scramble back to their feet, to lunge at Austin, things were suddenly sped up to twice the normal speed. Ezra’s friends were holding them back, Austin standing still and intimidating, shielding you from the problematic star. You had moved quickly then, spurred on by the reactions of the staff and patrons of the izakaiya. You pulled all the bills out of your wallet, totalling around ¥20,000, and put them on the bar. It was roughly the equivalent of $200 USD, much more than your bill.

You called out to the owner, who was taking in the scene in stunned silence. You assured him you would be leaving promptly, asked him not to call the police. He had eyed you and the stack of bills for a brief moment before nodding sharply. He collected the bills as you grabbed your suit jacket and purse. He sent one of the yakitori cooks to drag the Miller group out the front door before motioning you to follow him out the back. You had slid your arm through Austin’s, dragging him after you through the kitchen and out into the alley.

“Come on, please…” Your heart was racing, terrified a career ending scandal might taint all his hard work promoting the film that day. The Japanese were not as forgiving as the rest of the world when it came to scandal. You needed to get him out of public and the fastest way to do that would be to take him into your one room apartment. It was a short walk to the next block where you lived, walking as fast as your heels would allow. Austin had stridden alongside you smoothly with those ridiculously long legs, hand clasping yours. You unlocked the gate before leading him up the stairs in your building, hands a bit shaky from the adrenaline, but you’d managed to unlock your front door and pull him into the entryway.

You had spun and slid your heels off as you stepped up onto the hardwood floor, a very practiced movement. He unzipped the sides of his boots and kicked them off to sit beside yours, following you into the hallway of an apartment you called home. It took precisely ten seconds to run from one end to the other. You had timed it once, out of curiosity. You reached into the fridge and pulled out a pack of frozen peas, reaching for his right hand as he got close enough, looking his knuckles over.

You gently pressed the improvised cold pack to his skin, making him hiss a little. Your heart rate had yet to recover from the rush out of the restaurant and down the darkened streets, the sprint up the stairs, the fact that he had defended you…You gasped a little as you felt the skin between the thumb and forefinger of his left hand slot itself below your chin. His thumb and fingers had gently pressed into skin on either side of your jaw as he guided your head up.

“Why won’t you ever look me in the eye?” He whispered softly, eyes searching your face.

Aside from your cultural adaption to Japanese ways, you had also been so afraid of what he might see there – the naked, unabashed desire you had felt for him since first laying eyes on him that morning. You took a fortifying breath and snapped your eyes to his now, no longer interested in trying to hide it. The flames of the fire blazing in your lower abdomen flickered in your eyes as you let yourself fall into his rapidly shrinking blue irises. His pupils had been rapidly expanding as he was finally able to see you. You heard the sharp intake of breath through his nose before his lips crashed into yours, body surging forward to push you back into the refrigerator as he pressed into you greedily.

You shuddered as you felt the outline of his hard cock pressing against your stomach, free hand reaching up to twist your fingers into those cursed curls that had been teasing you all day. The sound of the bag of frozen peas hitting the floor hardly registered in your brain as he pushed them out of your other hand to employ both his hands in pulling your blouse of out of your skirt. His fingers quickly snuck up and underneath the silk to stroke along the skin of your sides. Your breath shuddered into his mouth at the feel of his touch, the callouses on his fingers, the warmth of his palms.

His tongue took advantage of your open mouth to finally get a chance to taste you. The feel of the slick muscle of his tongue sliding along your own made your toes curl into the hardwood floor. Eventually oxygen became an unavoidable necessity, and you pulled back from his lips to gasp for air, breath thick with desire. You could feel him panting against the skin of your throat as took deep inhales of your scent.

“Fuck you smell so good; it’s been all I could think about all day.” His generous lips brushed against your skin as he spoke, making you shudder. He took the hint, showering your sensitive skin with kisses as his clever fingers found the zipper on your skirt. You chuckled wryly, breathlessly.

“You have no fucking idea what your cologne has been doing to me, do you?” You carefully stepped out of the fabric as it fell to the floor, hands hooking into the belt loops of his pants, pulling him after you as you moved deeper into the apartment to where your bed was.

“Oh, I think I do. When I caught you with your eyes closed on that pink carpet…I just about ripped that mask off to kiss you senseless…” He replied, standing still as you worked his pants and shirt off. Once they lay on a pile on the floor, he pulled you tightly against him, seizing your lips with his, kissing you until you felt unsteady on your feet, as promised. His fingers hooked into the waistband of your nylons and slid them down to your knees before he gripped your hips, lifting you onto the bed. He knelt at your feet, looking down at you in your bra and panties hungrily. His lips fell victim to the ravages of his teeth as he pulled the nylons up and off each leg in turn.

You watched, chest tight with anticipation as he tossed them aside, lips working their way down from your right ankle, along the inside of your calf, to your knee and up your inner thigh. You trembled as he got closer to the centre of your need, licking your lips eagerly.

“Did they survive?” His eyes looked up to yours as he came face to face with your panties. “The way you kept crossing your legs…I was rather hoping for them to be utterly ruined.”

You flushed and threw your head back with a sudden laugh. He grinned as he pressed his forearm into the mattress beside your head, stretching his body over yours as the fingers of his other hand slid past the waistband of your panties, seeking your folds. He hummed, pleased as he found your slick.

“So not entirely unscathed then…” He drank in your face as your eyelids fluttered, threatening to close at the sensation of his languid, exploratory strokes. Your thighs pressed together around his wrist needily, having fought to be well-behaved for so long.

“Please…” You breathed in desperation and his lips found yours, kissing you soothingly as fingers traced around your bundle of nerves before applying gentle but fleeting pressure. You squirmed beneath him, gripping his shoulders tightly, hips pressing up to his hand eagerly.

His lips pulled back from yours with a parting nip to the flesh of the lower one. He sat back onto his heels and tugged at the waistband of your underwear, getting you to lift your hips so he could divest you of them. He then gripped your elbows, pulling you up to a sitting position before reaching behind you to unclasp your bra. His fingers teasingly dragged the straps down your arms, raising goosebumps in their wake before that too was removed and tossed aside. Latching onto your right nipple, he had settled his hips against yours, leaning you back onto the mattress. His skin was frustratingly still clad in the fabric of his boxer-briefs but, as he ground against your core, you stopped your internal complaining and moaned eagerly.

The fingers of his free hand cupped the mound of your left breast as he settled back over you on his right forearm. He continued to pleasure your breasts as his hips rocked against yours insistently, the once hint of a shape now a very definitely hard, generously sized cock pressed tightly against you. As you grew wet enough to soak into the fabric of his underwear, he pulled back out of your reach, sliding down between your thighs to taste you eagerly.

Your hips had a bad habit of bucking towards his mouth needily, and he held them down with a firm grip as his tongue parted your folds to lap at your clit hungrily. He watched your face hungrily as your fingers sank into his curls again, crying out his name reverently. Throwing his left arm across your hips, pinning you under his elbow and hand, he freed his right hand to seek out your entrance. The pad of his index finger slowly dipped in and out of you before pressing deeper into you, making you throw your head back with a whimper.

Thrusting the digit in and out of you, working you open, he gradually added a second and third finger, curling them up to press against the area that made you toss your head to the side and swear like a sailor.

“Ohhh Jesus fucking Christ, Austin!” You wailed and he was relentless; manipulating the sensitive spot inside you with those delicious, dextrous fingers until his arm could no longer hold your hips down. You bucked hard, thighs clamping tightly around his head as his tongue had not once let up on your clit. Your orgasm had rocked through you, leaving you a trembling, gasping mess.

You watched through hooded eyes as he cleaned you up with his tongue before licking his fingers clean, savouring every last drop of your nectar. He had raised up on his knees again, sliding his boxer-briefs down to allow his insistent cock to spring free, slapping against the taught skin of his abdomen. The man was blessed, and you were about to be as well.

Tossing the fabric aside, he had slid up against you, cock pressing against your still-fluttering core as he settled his hips between your legs again. You arched your back up to kiss him appreciatively, not caring that his mouth tasted of your climax. His tongue twined with yours, moans sliding from his throat and down yours are he slid his cock between your folds, the crown snagging on your clit, making you whimper in reply. Before you could pull your lips back from his to beg, his cock began to sink into you, stretching you, filling you.

“Aus..Aus…tin…” You had stuttered between your whimpers, chest heaving.

“I know, you’re so fucking tight, holy fuck…” His head dropped to press against your collarbone, and you felt him shudder as he attempted to maintain control over his body’s urgent wish to slam into you. At last, he had settled into you fully, pelvis slotted snugly against yours. You shuddered and flexed your walls unintentionally, making him moan raggedly against your skin.

Unable to resist any longer, he pulled his hips back before pushing into your heat again, making you both moan. He set an easy pace to start, your exhales of pleasure meeting in the air between your mouths, curling around each other in the low light of your apartment. The pendant on the end of the gold chain knocked against your chin teasingly and you gripped it in your teeth teasingly.

The delicious feel of his cock sliding against your walls, nudging your cervix with each thrust, made your eyes roll back in your head. His pace increased as his left hand slid to cradle your jaw again.

“Lemme see your eyes” He ground out huskily and you fought to open them, to lock them onto his. Your walls clenched around him at the vision he presented above you, pink lips parted, eyebrows crinkled in pleasure, jaw working in concentration.

“I’m gonna…”

“Oh fuck, please…” His hips slapped into yours faster, your thighs spreading wider, heels digging into the bed as you just…needed…

“AHN!” you arched hard against him as his fingers found your clit again. You forced your eyes wider rather than clenching them shut as your release ripped through your body. Your walls clamped down around him tightly, pulling him under with you as he swore a litany of curses into your neck, flooding you with his hot cum. Shuddering breaths echoed in the quiet room as you both fought to calm racing hearts, to satiate the burning in your lungs. He slid from you carefully, making you whimper at the loss, before rolling to lay at your side. He gripped your right hip with his left hand and rolled you into his chest, pressing his plush lips to your forehead.

You lay your cheek on his chest, listening to his heartbeat slowing to a normal rhythm beneath your ear pressed to his skin.

“Thank you…for defending me…” You broke the silence and he scoffed sleepily.

“Thank you for saving my ass after I hit him…” He replied. You could tell sleep was working against him, the marathon of a day catching up with him.

“What time do you need to be at the airport?” You left off the word tomorrow as it was definitely today now. He was leaving today.

“Leaving the hotel at 9…” He murmured softly and you kissed his chest, just above where the pendant lay. You waited patiently, fighting off your own sleep, letting him drift off before you slid from his embrace to set an alarm and assemble his clothes on the chair beside the bed, hoping to make the wake up a little easier on him. You cleaned up in the washroom, coming back to stand on the threshold of the bedroom, watching him sleep soundly, bathed in the light from the street. God he was perfection. Your heart panged a little with the knowledge that this was surely the end of…whatever the last twenty hours had been.

“Ichi-go, ichi-e” You had whispered to yourself and blinked as the idea came to you. You fished out your wallet and found a clean, shiny five yen coin. You found some origami paper on your coffee table and carefully folded a pouch to slide the coin into. You added a slip of paper, writing out the expression on one side – he would be able to use his phone to translate it if he wanted. You added your email on the reverse. You slipped it into the breast pocket of his shirt, along with the folded note paper from the restaurant, before sliding into bed with him to enjoy a few hours of sleep.

══ ❀•°❀°•❀ ══

You slide your shoes off in the entryway and step into your apartment proper, sighing a little as the scent of his cologne is almost gone. You flick on the lights and set down your things, changing into comfy clothes before pulling out your phone again. You mindlessly scroll through Twitter as you lay on the bed, his name catching your eye. You click on the post, not your usual habit, but curious after your experience with him. The photo of him posing with some fans on the streets of Los Angeles makes you smile…such a sweetheart.

The chain around his neck, or rather the pendant, catches your eye and you zoom in, gasping to see he’s slid the chain through the centre of the five yen coin, wearing it proudly. You swallow back something akin to a squeal. So, it had meant more to him than just a chance meeting…

Your phone buzzes with an email notification and you roll onto your stomach on the bed, cheeks aching from your grin as he’s sent you a screenshot of the translation of the phrase you had written for him. What had previously felt like an ending, in the early dawn of June 29, is transforming into a beginning right before your eyes.

--------✿❀✿------✿❀✿------✿❀✿------✿❀✿--------

Read Part Two

一期一会 | ichi-go, ichi-e Masterlist

[beardedmrbean]

Jan. 1 (UPI) -- A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake rocked western Japan on Monday, likely killing two people, as tsunami warnings issued earlier in the day were downgraded to advisories.

The earthquake struck about 26 miles northeast of Anamizu in Ishikawa prefecture, along the Noto Peninsula.

Authorities initially warned that tsunami waves could be as high as 10 feet along the Sea of Japan coast but the Japan Meteorological Agency later downgraded all of the tsunami warnings to advisories.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters emergency personnel are working to assess damage from the earthquake so far.

"In response to the M7 earthquake at Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture, we have immediately set up the Prime Minister's Office of Response, Disaster Counter Measure HQ," he wrote on X.

"Putting human lives as a priority, we are making every effort to assess damages -- putting forth all efforts in disaster response. For those in affected areas, please pay close attention to the latest information and place personal safety as your priority."

The quake shook buildings in central Tokyo, while local police on the peninsula reported two people were found showing no vital signs. The central government also confirmed six separate incidences of residents trapped alive in under collapsed houses in the area.

The earliest waves measured about four feet along the Noto Peninsula and around Ishikawa and Niigata. Some have been identified as far north of the Hokkaido Prefecture.

It marked the first time Japan has issued a major tsunami warning since 2011, when a 9.0-magnitude quake struck Tohoku, causing catastrophic damage from deadly tsunami waves.

Officials suspended bullet train service while Japan Airlines and Nippon Airways canceled all fights in the western region. Western Japan hospitals reported power outages but there were no confirmed numbers of possible injuries from the earthquake so far.

Strong aftershocks, ranging from 4.0 to 5.0 magnitude came in a rapid-fire succession of 21 incidents in central Japan, according to the JMA. The country's nuclear authority said there was "no risk of radioactivity leaking from nuclear power plants" in the affected areas.

Japan sits in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where many tectonic plates meet, causing a constant threat of earthquakes that has led it to develop one of the world's most sophisticated tsunami warning systems.

[ari-zonia]

Limbus Company "World of DnD Identities"

More thoughts of this weird AU me and my friends developed after a long discussion of shitposting (aka we were just shooting the shit for a while)

Reference this post for more

Main joke of this AU is all of these guys (Sans Ishmael) are immigrants to the US and live in New York

Yi Sang: Head researcher at a Med-Tech company. He's under 50 thousand NDAs so he's not allowed to talk about work at the table and doesn't feel like it anyway. Often overworked and spends what little time he has off writing poetry. Probably has a pet crow he nursed as a hatchling. Work pays enough he lives on his own, but you wouldn't believe it based on the lack of food at home.

Faust: Freelance worker or high-security tech manufacturer, or both. Shares an apartment with Ishmael and Outis. Whenever pressed about work she ignores the question and elects to remind everyone they're trying to play a board game. Should honestly be a DM but prefers playing characters that know everything so she can be condescendingly coy.

Don Quixote: Theater major who lives in an on-campus apartment with Sinclair. Her classes are super spaced out so she ends up with a lot of free time. Major con nerd and her room is packed with merch she's bought (especially commissions). Has a dedicated sewing room instead of a dining room. How she affords all this is a mystery. Attends a LOT of Broadway shows, and has introduced Rodion to them.

Ryōshū: Traditional art major who lives out of an abandoned warehouse she found and uses as a studio. Actually is constantly skipping classes but somehow hasn't been kicked out yet. Doesn't sell any of her art but that's because everyone's disgusted by it being made out of pig's blood 90% of the time. Where is she getting all this blood? Why pig's blood? She says its because she'd run out of her own. No one knows if she's serious, or needs help. Lots of anecdotes of how Japan is different from the US, especially with holidays or food. Has lots of photos of Halloween costumes she's made for herself. Again, mostly with fake or pig's blood. Something is seriously wrong with her.

Meursault: Works in an international company as a businessman. Lives alone in a small studio to cut company costs during his stay since he doesn't require much room to live in. There was an incident at work so he's not able to go into the office and is constantly in and out of court proceedings. He's not able to discuss what happened, or even if he was involved. Doesn't talk much about himself either. (Everyone swears they don't even know his first name). How he was convinced to come play tabletops is generally a mystery because he's never played before in his life. They think he's enjoying it, because at least he's paying attention.

Hong Lu: He sorta just showed up one day, hanging out with Sinclair. He has a million stories of home, but nothing about the government or anything like that. Lives alone on money from his family but otherwise doesn't work so he ends up just wanting something to do, so he hangs with these guys.

Heathcliff: English in the way that he's from Hong Kong. According to official paperwork, he's not here. Actual story is he was a stowaway on the last vessel Ishmael was on while they were docked in Liverpool. Says he's a government agent, but for who? Also wanted by Interpol and is a bit of a drifter. Legally does not exist because he doesn't have a last name (according to him, wife took it when she died. How much of that statement is true, no one knows). Rooms with Gregor because he can afford it, but only Gregor can sign the paperwork. Always has a new story that invokes more questions of who the hell he even is. Things like "I'm banned from entering Hokkaido", "You know how easy it is to sneak into Switzerland from Lichtenstein?", or the like. Also apparently not to be within a hundred miles of the president. The one friend with a Costco membership, and has bought a lot of weird shit.

Ishmael: Former marine that hated the military life but loves the sea. Often flips between sailing for journalism or marine biology. Not many other qualifications otherwise. Rooms with Faust out of necessity because she's so far away all the time it's hard to keep an apartment by herself. Quite disgruntled she's the reason Heathcliff showed up because she failed the inspection for stowaways, apparently. Only noticed after he drank half the Guinness they picked up. Has a lot of stories from her life on the water. Generally doesn't have a lot of money, so she appreciates how much food gets brought to game night.

Rodion: Absolutely elated with being here. Still working on her accent and figured she'd get better with conversing by playing tabletops. She was wrong, her vernacular is now full of memes. Spends most of her time working casino floors ("professionally"). Basically lives in her hotel room like a princess. Seems to know the most useless of information about her group (Sinclair's shoe size, Faust's bra cup, Hong Lu's inseam length, etc). If asked if she'd ever visit home she vehemently denies it, she's content with all the fun things available to her.

Sinclair: Says he's taking a year or two off school and works part-time. Doesn't seem to need to work, but it gives him something to do apparently. Considering going into school for finance or something ("like my dad was", he often says). Really quiet but appreciates the company. Sometimes gets nagged to translate Faust when she starts talking German with Gregor but he barely understands her sometimes, her accent is different.

Outis: Served her time in the military and is currently retired. Works several odd jobs to keep herself busy rather than make money, at least help Faust and Ish pay rent. Weird old lady of the group, about as mysterious as Meursault and Heathcliff. Most of the work she did is still classified so she's not at liberty to discuss it. Though, she still carries her mannerisms from her active duty.

Gregor: Also served in the military (same deployment as Outis but different unit so they didn't know each other), he was honorably discharged after a massive injury to his right arm. Currently works retail but spends more time on workman's comp than working (something always seems to be happening to his right arm between fractures and other injuries). Eternally grateful to Heathcliff's bank account giving him someplace to live. Usually last pick for food runs because of how often he buys too much deli meat (especially after the 15lbs of brisket incident at Passover).

Dante: New DM that met Vergilius by chance. Don't really know that's going on, has barely played DnD at all and still chose to DM this stupid group. Definitely tries to limit the group to only five active participants a week, but there was an incident where all twelve had open slots for a while. They regretted it highly. Convinced Vergilius to stack the loot table with revival items so the group didn't need to make new characters EVERY session or two. Though, that's come at the price of them losing self-preservation tactics.

Vergilius: Veteran DM that has a frankly insane amount of books (he's been collecting for years) and takes his role very seriously. He was the one to convince Dante to have a maximum of five players a week, until the incident, then he started throwing insane challenges at all of the players to punish them for throwing the game off track so many times. Soft spot only for Charon and allows her to come up with combat encounters (she once suggested three silver dragons)

Charon: Vergilius' daughter. She doesn't play, or even care about DnD. All she does is suggest more and more stupid encounters to kill everyone with because it's funny. All food runs must pay a Charon Tax (aka she gets her own snacks no matter what).

[drmajalis]

Every now and then I think about how a game with the plot of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory could NEVER be made today

I felt like talking about this in light of some recent news in East Asia. TL;DR but Chaos Theory, despite being a game ostensibly inspired by the writings of Tom Clancy, is essentially a political thriller where a rogue American PMC company and Japanese Admiral try to start WWIII, and where China and NORTH KOREA are kind of presented as the good guys in the conflict?! Here's a general plot summary: Japan has just created a new warfare branch, the "Information Self-Defence Force" or ISDF, headed by Admiral Toshiro Otomo. The role of the ISDF is to conduct and intercept electronic warfare, which many in Asia feel is a violation of Japan's post war constitution forbidding them from maintaining a military force capable of striking outside its borders. In response, China and North Korea mobilize a naval blockade in the Yellow Sea to intercept and search all Japanese shipping, so America sends their newest electronics warfare ship, the USS Clarence E. Walsh to the area as a show of force, carrying the NSA's top operative (and player character) Sam Fisher. While on the way, Sam is sent to Peru to rescue kidnapped American computer programmer Bruce Morgenholt, who was part of a two-man United Nations to decipher a cyber warfare weapon called the "Masse Kernels" which were part of a previous game. Sam unfortunately finds Morgenholt dead, and pursues the kidnappers to sea, where he finds they were paid for their services using a Panamanian bank as a proxy. Sam is then sent to Panama, where he finds evidence that the payment was went by the other member of the UN task force, computer programmer Abrahim Zherkezhi (and also steals $50 million in French bearer bonds in the process, best level in the game). Further implicating Zherkezhi is that both New York and Japan are hit with a Masse Kernel attack that shuts off their entire electricity grids,so Sam is sent to his Penthouse in New York to investigate, where he finds out that he has a protection detail from American PMC outfit Displace International, headed by his best friend and former war buddy, Douglas Shetland, who were also supposedly protecting Morgenholt. Reluctantly, Fisher infiltrates the offices of Displace and learns that Zherkezhi was relocated to Hokkaido for his protection, so he is sent there, meeting up with Shetland along the way, and the two watch on the news in the bar that the USS Walsh was just hit and sunk by a North Korean anti-ship missile. North Korean officials, backed by China, claim they did not intentionally fire the missile, and the Secretary of Defence claims that the Walsh's cyber warfare systems were way too advanced to be tracked and hit by a fifty year old Chinese-manufactured missile, but Sam's boss, Irving Lambert, believes that before the attack, the Walsh was hit by a Masse Kernel attack disabling it's defence systems. Fisher is sent to Hokkaido to bring Zherkezhi in for questioning, but as he witnesses a meeting between him and Shetland, the latter reveals his intentions to start a war in Asia before murdering Zherkezhi.

Fisher wants to go after Shetland, but with diplomacy rapidly deteriorating after the sinking of the Walsh, war in Korea seems inevitable, so he is instead sent to the North Korean missile battery that sank the Walsh to find proof of the North Korean claims. Fisher finds evidence of the Masse Kernals being used to force launch the missile, but before the information can be sent, North Korea crosses the DMZ and invades the South.

After a stop in Seoul to gather information from a data routing centre, Fisher learns that Shetland is meeting a third party at a bathhouse in Tokyo, which turns out to be the ISDF, who are revealed to be collaborating with Shetland to start a war. Fisher catches and kills Shetland, and is then sent to the Japanese Ministry of Defence to find out if the Japanese government itself is involved. There, Fisher eavesdrops a meeting between high ranking SDF members and finds out that it was Admiral Otomo acting alone, wishing to use the pretext of a war to restart Japanese Imperialism. The GSDF attempt to apprehend Otomo, but fail, and in retaliation, he uses the Mass Kernels to launch a North Korean missile aimed at Japan, knowing that if it hits, World War III will truly be inevitable.

Fisher stops the attack by destroying the ISDF's servers, and apprehends Otomo as he tries to commit seppuku. Otomo confesses to his actions, North Korea withdraws its forces, Displace and the ISDF are disbanded, and the Chinese Ambassador to the United States wins the noble peace prize for his efforts in trying to mediate peace in Asia. Job finished, game over. So, you can probably see why this would never be made today, right? Anything that even remotely positively portrays China, let alone North Korea in a positive light nowadays would get torn to shreds, not to mention the game makes the taboo of bringing light to how the Japanese government has never really owned up to the crimes they committed during WWII because of Cold War politics, as well as showing how Japan rebuilding its military has created lots of tensions in East Asia.

No other real point to this, I just wish we had more complex stories like this where the stereotypical "good and bad guys" don't automatically fill their roles.

[usafphantom2]

Tap pictures to enlarge, 👆 near the Japanese city of Hakodate, on the northern island of Hokkaido. It’s a twin-engined jet, but not the kind of short-haul airliner Hakodate is used to seeing. This huge, grey hulk sports the red stars of the Soviet Union. No one in the West has ever seen one before.

Ten years before, on August 16, 1966, for $1 million and safe passage out of the Soviet Union for his family, Munir Redfa defected to Israel. Redfa was a Christian who was having a hard time being promoted in the Soviet Union, so he agreed to start secretly, putting fuel away for his defection from the Soviet Union to defect with his MiG -21 In 1968 in a project called HAVE DOUGHNUT The Israelites sent us this, MiG-21 and we tested its abilities at Area 51

Belenko and the Fox-bat (written by Butch Sheffield )

This next part was written by my father, Colonel Richard “ Butch” Sheffield. He Directed the Reconnaissance office for Air Force operations; he started TENCAP Office at the Pentagon.

The Russians had a Mach three fighter called the “Foxbat.” For many years the Foxbat fighters had been lurking around Russian borders, waiting to take a shot at an SR-71.

One morning, as I sat at the kitchen table having breakfast and Rosie had the news on TV I saw an aircraft landing in Japan on TV. I cried out to Rosie, “That’s a Foxbat.” the USAF needed to see and inspect a Foxbat desperately it was imperative help confirm the abilities of the Soviets MiG-25. The next best thing would be to talk to one of the Foxbat pilots.

By the time I got to work, we started really early, Buck Adams, who worked for me as the SR-71 Program Element Monitor (PEM) had already been at work getting us the authority to talk to the pilot,Belenko, as the first agency and person in the Government ( Buck Adams was an SR 71 pilot)

Needless to say, every intelligence agency and intelligence officer in Washington wanted to talk to Belenko. When I heard Buck’s plan to talk first to the pilot, I wished him luck, but thought it would be impossible.

Buck made the impossible happen. He was the first person to talk to Belenko!

When people say that the Soviet Unions, MiG’s we’re a threat to the SR 71 just remember we already thoroughly check them out. We knew what they were capable of and more importantly, we knew what they couldn’t do.🇺🇸🇺🇸

Written by Linda Sheffield and Butch Sheffield.

[angelkarafilli]

The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an open-air museum that showcases relocated, reconstructed, and preserved buildings from various parts of Hokkaido from the Meiji period to the early Showa period. The museum is split into several areas, categorized by urban, rural, mountain, and fishing architecture. Here, you'll find private homes, barbershops, newspaper offices, and government offices, recreating the landscape of Hokkaido over a century ago.

One of the most eye-catching buildings here is the Hokkaido Colonization Commission Sapporo Main Office, which was in charge of developing the Sapporo region at the time. It burnt down in 1879 but was restored in this museum. The vivid contrast of green and white colors and the octagonal dome leave quite the impression. The village's main street is lined with a horse-drawn railway, which was used to transport people from the Meiji period to the early Showa period. Tour the area in a retro horse-drawn carriage for even more immersion. Take a trip back in time to the development days of Hokkaido!

Source:https://gate-to-hokkaido.jp/

[madstars-festival]

[WINNER INTERVIEW] THE MAKING OF A GRAND PRIX OF THE YEAR WINNER

Last year, 20,282 entries from 63 countries were submitted to the MAD STARS. Among the 788 winning works, 'SHELLMET' by TBWA\Hakuhodo was selected as the Grand Prix of the Year, in the PSA category.

SHELLMET is a combination of shell and helmet and is an upcycled helmet developed by the town of Sarufutsu in Hokkaido, Japan, and plastic manufacturer Koushi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

The town of Sarufutsu, one of the scallop-producing areas in Hokkaido, Japan, exports about 40,000 tons of scallops every year, but at the same time, 40,000 tons of shells are being discarded as marine debris. When the export of shells was suspended in 2021, the town suffered from soil pollution and odors as the shells were left behind.

TBWA\Hakuhodo and Koushi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. stepped in to solve this problem by creating a durable new material from scallop shells and recycled plastic and repurposing them into helmets.

What was the story behind the creation of the shells, connecting the common essence of shells and helmets to protect against external impacts?

We caught up with Takahiro Hosoda, chief creative officer at TBWA\Hakuhodo, who led the campaign, to find out!

Q. Where did the idea for SHELLMET come from? 

A: It was about three years ago. A company called Koushi Chemical Industry tweeted about a new technology. It had developed technology with which eggshells could be transformed into plastic.  An art director on my team noticed this and started imagining potential creative applications. We discussed this as a team, and one member remembered a story about seashell waste build-up affecting areas of Hokkaido in northern Japan. We thought that if we could leverage this technology and make plastic from these waste seashells, we could turn them into a valuable resource. That was the germination of the idea that would become SHELLMET.  

Q. What were the challenges in getting it from idea to product?

A: The biggest issue was the "Strength" of the plastic material itself. We were birthing a product that is meant to protect human lives so there was no room for any compromise on safety. We collaborated with university-level researchers and tested them over and over.  

Q. Were there any “Godsends” that helped to make it easier? 

A: Actually, the godsend was the design of SHELLMET. We mimicked the rib structure found on actual scallop shells, initially as a visual nod to the source material from which SHELLMET is made. However, it turned out that this very design, the rib structure, gave SHELLMET the extra strength and durability that make it so viable as a product.    There was some discussion about the cost implications of this design initially, but by pursuing this design, we achieved 30% more strength compared to ordinary plastic helmets.    

Q. After the campaign, what will happen to SHELLMET? What are its plans? 

A: SHELLMET will not end with a single campaign. We want to take this new product and new material and make it a viable choice worldwide. 

Firstly, we want to spread SHELLMET the product, throughout the world. We’ve already managed to make SHELLMET the official safety helmet for the 2025 Osaka Expo, and we are getting many orders from factories across Japan choosing to use SHELLMET to protect their employees.  

SHELLMET can be used to protect the lives of cyclists and can become the emergency protective gear of choice for all businesses, schools, and government facilities across the world. We’ve only scratched the surface and we intend to take it as far as we can.  

Secondly, we want to expand the usage of the material from which SHELLMET is made. The material has so many potential applications like smartphone cases, earphone cases, or suitcases to name just a few. We are already being approached by many businesses and we are excitedly exploring future applications.  

Q. What do you think are the criteria for great creative work? What helps you to make your work, and the work of your agency creative? 

A: Firstly, to move people with ideas they’ve never seen. This is the essence of good creativity, and this does not change. However, great creative work in our times must also satisfy three important criteria. Namely the brand, the user, and society itself.   Most traditional creative briefs are focused solely on brand profit and benefit.  

We make a point of exploring these questions always:   “How can we make the customer happier?” “How can we benefit society and bring meaningful change?”  

Secondly, expand your thinking and vision through questioning, which will help you create a bigger, more impactful, and meaningful idea. This will, in turn, will help the brand reap even greater benefits.  

Q. What does it mean to you and your agency to have won the award at MAD STARS? 

A: To me, this trophy is not a symbol of what we’ve achieved. It is a symbol that orients us toward the future, telling us to do more.  

We’re going “madder” than ever before and will continue to create meaningful changes for society. We thank all members involved in MAD STARS for this great honor. From the bottom of our hearts!  

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Who will take home this year's Grand Prix of the Year? It could be you at MAD STARS 2024!

The 1st entry deadline (Early Bird) is approaching fast – May 10th.

Share your innovative solutions in Marketing, Advertising, or Digital content, and be a part of changing the world!

Let your ideas shine bright at MAD STARS 2024.

Submit your idea 👉🏻 www.madstars.org

[howwelldoyouknowyourmoon]

The Dark Shadow Cast by Moon Sun Myung’s Unification Church and Abe Shinzo (Part 1)

Asia Pacific Journal | Japan Focus Peter McGill October 15, 2022

Abstract: The killing of Abe Shinzo sparked a backlash in Japan against the Unification Church, after the assassin blamed it for his family’s destitution and linked the former prime minister to the Korean cult. This has led to a government investigation of the Unification Church, popularly known as the Moonies, that may result in its disbandment in Japan. The scandal has focused attention on the vital role played by Japan in financing the sect founded by Moon Sun Myung, and the strange history that spawned a global empire swaddled in taboo.

The July 8 slaying of Abe Shinzo on the streets of Nara has spawned unexpected consequences. Public reaction in Japan whipsawed from shock and grief at the former prime minister’s tragic death to anger and disgust at longstanding ties between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Unification Church. On October 17, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio announced a government investigation of the Unification Church that may lead to the dissolution of its Japanese branch.

Yamagami Tetsuya, the former navy officer and unemployed man who fatally shot Abe from behind with a homemade gun, told police that his family had been left destitute, and his own life blighted, by his mother’s huge donations to the Korean cult founded by Moon Sun Myung. In Yamagami’s disturbed mind, Abe’s political embrace of the Unification Church made him a legitimate target for revenge.

On July 16, the Japanese tabloid Nikkan Gendai, which had been the first to report that Yamagami’s mother belonged to the Unification Church, published a list of 111 other members of the Diet (parliament) who shared Abe’s links to the cult. The list was compiled by journalist Suzuki Eito, a specialist in tracking cults in Japan.

Japanese media critical of the LDP and of Abe’s right-wing nationalism, most notably the Asahi and Mainichi dailies, doggedly pursued the scoop, and there has been an almost constant stream of press conferences and stories that have inflicted serious damage to the Unification Church in Japan, and acutely embarrassed the mainly conservative politicians who associated with it. On September 8, the LDP released the results of an internal survey, showing that almost half of its 379 Diet members had admitted to dealings with the cult. In addition, 290 members of prefectural assemblies and seven prefectural governors have acknowledged association with it, according to a survey by the Asahi. 

Japanese Moonies are not so numerous as to constitute a significant voting bloc. Sakurai Yoshihide, a professor of sociology at Hokkaido University and an expert on Japanese cults and new religions, says their main political value is as a source of volunteers to help favoured candidates in election campaigns. Abe had recommended that members of his Seiwa-kai faction take advantage of such offers.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio hastily announced a state funeral for Abe, the Moonies’ most valuable ally in Japan, soon after the assassination. Since then, the deluge of reporting about the Unification Church helped shift Japanese public opinion against the state funeral which took place on September 27 with a cost to taxpayers of ¥1.25 billion. Kishida’s popularity slumped, and the October announcement of a probe into the Unification Church has been seen as a means to boost his standing in opinion polls.   Japanese Fund a Global Empire Japan has been crucial to the growth of the Unification Church. The former colonial power, which ruled the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945, has twice the number of Moonies as its home country - 300,000 compared to between 150,000 and 200,000 in South Korea, according to spokesman Ahn Ho-yeul – and ever since the 1970s, has provided the lion’s share of the church’s global income.

In 1984, the Washington Post was told by two renegade former officials of the Unification Church in Japan that from 1975 to 1984 it had transferred at least US$800 million to the United States, to finance a myriad of the cult’s businesses, publications, and political operations, including the money-draining Washington Times newspaper.1

Most of the money came from gullible and superstitious Japanese who were peddled marble vases, ivory seals, and miniature pagodas said to have miraculous powers, along with ginseng teas, at vastly inflated prices. Japanese members of the cult were given sales quotas requiring them to transfer to the United States about $2.5 million a month earmarked for the Washington Times, which lost an estimated $150 million in its first two-and-a-half years of operation, according to Soejima Yoshikazu.   Soejima had been editor of the cult’s Japanese newspaper, Sekai Nippo, but was fired on Moon’s orders for attempting editorial independence. A gang of toughs from the Unification Church, led by members of the affiliated anti-communist group Kokusai Shokyo Rengo, ransacked the newspaper office, and beat him up, according to Soejima. Then in June 1984, Soejima was attacked outside his Tokyo home and repeatedly stabbed. At the time, he had been preparing an article critical of Moon for Bungei Shunju magazine.

In 1987, the Asahi calculated there had been 15,000 complaints since 1980 of Japanese citizens being defrauded by Unification Church members, through total purchases amounting to ¥317 billion. A national network of lawyers to combat reikan shoho (霊感商法, selling of spiritual goods) was set up. 

The Japanese backlash forced the Unification Church to curtail unscrupulous sales in favour of pressuring Japanese members to make donations. These were often linked to fundraising projects of Moon Sun Myung, such as the construction of a tunnel between Japan and Korea (since stalled), car factories in North Korea and China, and a 1,200-hectare “Peace Park” at Moon’s birthplace.

The new donation strategy reportedly led to a substantial increase in financial demands placed upon Japan. Sakurai Masaue, a disillusioned former cult official, told the Mainichi that in the two decades before he quit in 2017, the Unification Church in Japan had an annual fund-raising target of around ¥30 billion, or $209 million. The extreme burden placed on Japanese members pushed many into bankruptcy, he said.

Offspring of Japanese duped into handing over their life savings or retirement money to the Unification Church have given harrowing testimony; none more so than that of Yamagami, the alleged assassin of Abe, whose hatred of the cult festered as his family was dragged into poverty.

Yamagami was four years old when his father, a site director of a tunnel construction firm, killed himself. Seven years later, his mother joined the Unification Church and started making huge donations that eventually bankrupted her and compelled Yamagami to drop out of university. His brother later committed suicide. 

“After my mother joined the church, my entire teenage years were gone, with about ¥100 million wasted,” Yamagami wrote in a letter. “It’s no exaggeration to say my experience during that time has kept distorting my entire life.”

Upon joining the Unification Church in 1991, his mother turned over ¥50 million she had received from her late husband’s life insurance policy. When her own father died in 1998, she became head of his construction company, but five months later sold a house she had inherited and gave more than ¥40 million to the cult. In 2002, she was declared bankrupt but continued giving money to the cult. Yamagami’s paternal uncle said he used to receive telephone calls from the three children complaining of having nothing to eat. He finally halted financial support because their mother was just handing over his money to the Unification Church. When Yamagami tried to commit suicide in 2005, she opted to stay in South Korea on a church mission.

これが『統一教会』の秘部だ

[nagaino]

[wise-journey]

Unveiling Sapporo: A Detailed Guide to Japan's Northernmost Urban Charm

Imagine a city where every step you take resonates with the soft crunch of virgin snow, where the comfort of a hot bowl of miso ramen infuses warmth into your soul, and where the spectacle of brilliantly illuminated ice sculptures leaves you mesmerized. Welcome to Sapporo, the vibrant capital of Hokkaido and Japan's northernmost metropolis. Sapporo, with its distinctive fusion of culture, cuisine, outdoor activities and city life, etches an indelible mark on the heart of every vagabond. This comprehensive guide will take you on a journey through the city's myriad offerings.

Best Time to Visit Sapporo

Winter enthusiasts should aim for February when the city comes alive with the renowned Sapporo Snow Festival, a spectacular display of intricately carved, grand ice sculptures. However, if a colder climate isn't your preference, plan your visit around the mid of October when autumn paints the city in resplendent hues of oranges and yellows, creating a visually pleasing atmosphere to explore Sapporo's delights.

Arriving in Sapporo

The most straightforward way for international travellers to reach Sapporo is through the New Chitose Airport. From there, a swift and comfortable ride on the JR Rapid Airport Line will drop you off at the heart of the city, i.e., Sapporo station.

Where to Stay

Sapporo presents a variety of accommodations ranging from high-end luxury hotels to budget-friendly inns. For a lavish experience, consider the JR Tower Hotel Nikko boasting panoramic views of the city. However, for a more economical stay without compromising on comfort, Hotel Mystays Premier is a great option.

Exploring the City: Sightseeing and Cultural Walks

Regardless of the season, a visit to Mount Moiwa via a ropeway ride is a must-do. The panoramic views from the summit are spectacular. In the heart of the city, Odori Park offers a peaceful escape from the urban hustle. Dive into history at the iconic Clock Tower or the former Hokkaido Government Office Building, both standing as a testament to Sapporo's rich past. For a cultural deep-dive, check out the Historical Village of Hokkaido, showcasing the region's architectural heritage and the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, housing impressive collections of contemporary local and international art.

Sapporo's Gastronomic Offerings

A gastronomical tour of Sapporo would be incomplete without sampling miso ramen, soup curry and Genghis Khan (Jingisukan), a grilled mutton delicacy. Head to Ramen Alley, a narrow lane lined with shops serving Sapporo's signature soup noodles. For fresh seafood, pay a visit to the bustling Sapporo Central Wholesale Market.

Action-packed Adventures and Retail Therapy

Get your adrenaline pumping with activities like skiing, snowboarding, hot-air ballooning, and ice-fishing, widely available across the city. If shopping is more your style, explore the endless shops at Tanuki Koji Shopping Street. As the day winds down, experience Sapporo's nightlife in the Susukino district, Japan's largest entertainment district north of Tokyo.

Essential Travel Tips

- Consider purchasing the Sapporo City Transportation Bureau's one-day pass for unlimited subway and tram rides. This pass is a cost-effective way to explore the city at your own pace. - Credit cards are widely accepted in Sapporo, offering you the hassle-free convenience of cashless transactions. - Make use of free Wi-Fi spots scattered throughout the city for seamless internet access. Sapporo is a treasure trove of experiences, catering to every traveler's pursuits. Whether you are a culinary adventurer, a history enthusiast, an adrenaline junkie, or a city explorer, Sapporo ensures an unforgettable journey.

Leaving Sapporo: A Lasting Impression

As I bid farewell to Sapporo, the city left me with a mélange of unforgettable memories. The lingering taste of ramen, the awe-inspiring sight of illuminated snow sculptures, the rhythm and melody of the city's heartbeat - all these experiences combined to compose a symphony of moments that I cherish to this day. Sapporo, in all its beauty, is truly captivating. Read the full article

[stitchjapan]

The Monday morning rush is on in Shinjuku; the hotel is near the Metropolitan government offices so my guess quite a number of this lot is headed there!

Breakfast with a view is quite delightful!

Breakfast with bears also ..

Some good Australian honey and Hokkaido butter:

[wordexpress]

North Korea fires ICBM that may have been new type of weapon

South Korea's military believes North Korea launched a new type of ballistic missile, possibly using solid fuel, a defense official said under anonymity because of office rules.

SEOUL: North Korea on Thursday conducted its first intercontinental ballistic missile launch in a month, possibly testing a new type of more mobile, harder-to-detect weapons system, its neighbors said, in an extension of the North’s provocative run of missile tests.

The launch prompted Japan to issue an evacuation order on a northern island, and though it was later retracted, it shows the vigilance of North Korea’s neighbors over its evolving missile threats.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile launched on a high angle from near the North Korean capital of Pyongyang and fell in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan following a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) flight. The Joint Chiefs of Staff described the missile as having a medium or long range. The United States National Security Council called it a long-range missile and Japan’s defense minister an ICBM-class weapon.

South Korea’s military believes North Korea launched a new type of ballistic missile, possibly using solid fuel, a defense official said under anonymity because of office rules.

If the launch involved a solid-fuel ICBM, it would be the North’s first test of such a weapon. North Korea’s known ICBMs all use liquid propellant systems that require them to be fueled before launches. But the fuel in a solid propellant weapon is already loaded inside, allowing them to be moved more easily and fired more quickly.

A solid-propellant ICBM is one of the key high-tech weapons that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to build to better cope with what he calls U.S. military threats. Other weapons he wants to acquire are a multiwarhead missile, a nuclear-powered submarine, a hypersonic missile and a spy satellite.

Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said the launch may have involved a new intermediate- or long-range missile powered by solid propellants, or be linked to North Korean preparation to launch a spy satellite.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the latest launch “needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region.” Watson said the United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and South Korean and Japanese allies.

During an emergency National Security Council meeting in Seoul, officials condemned the launch and stressed the need to tighten three-way security cooperation with Washington and Tokyo. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a Japanese NSC meeting to analyze the missile as well as Japan’s response to it.

The top nuclear envoys of Seoul, Washington and Tokyo held a telephone conversation where they called for a “decisive and united international response” to North Korean provocations and stronger efforts to stem illicit North Korean activities that allegedly fund its weapons program.

North Korea commonly test-launches missiles toward the international waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. All its past ICBM launches were made in the area, but on elevated trajectories to avoid neighboring countries. South Korea and Japan typically don’t issue evacuation orders for North Korean launches unless they determine weapons fly in the direction of their territories.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters the North Korean missile launched Thursday did not reach Japan’s exclusive economic zone. But Japanese authorities still urged people on the northernmost island of Hokkaido to seek shelter and temporarily suspended train, bus and subway services there. Local communities also activated alert sirens through community speakers, urging people to evacuate.

The government then corrected and retracted its missile alert, saying its analysis showed there was no possibility of a missile landing near Hokkaido.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters that the government issued the alert based on an early missile path assessment by Japan’s Defense Ministry. Matsuno said the missile later disappeared from radar but authorities still issued an alert to prioritize the people’s safety. He said the government’s step was “appropriate.”’

The alert suggested Japan was being cautious about North Korea’s evolving missile threats. Asked about the accuracy of Japan’s information dissemination in future North Korean launches, Kishida, the prime minister, said the government is checking related information including alerts.

Japanese authorities issued a similar evacuation order in October when a North Korean intermediate-range missile flew over Japan in a launch that demonstrated the potential to reach the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.

Thursday’s launch was the North’s first long-range missile test since the country tested its longest-range, liquid-fueled Hwasong-17 ICBM on March 16. Kim Jong Un reviewed his country’s attack plans Tuesday and vowed to enhance his nuclear arsenal in more “practical and offensive” ways.

North Korea has launched a total of about 100 missiles since the start of 2022, many of them nuclear-capable weapons that place the U.S. mainland, South Korea and Japan within striking distance.

The North’s testing spree is largely in protest of South Korean-U.S. military drills that it views as a rehearsal for an invasion. Some observers say North Korea uses its rivals’ drills as a pretext to modernize its weapons arsenal and pressure Washington and Seoul to make concessions such as the lifting of economic sanctions. South Korean and U.S. officials say their drills are defensive in nature and were arranged to respond to North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threats.

North Korea unveiled a new type of nuclear warhead in late March, raising concerns it could conduct its first nuclear test in more than five years. Foreign experts debate whether North Korea has developed warheads small and light enough to fit on its more advanced missiles.

South Korean officials say North Korea has not been responding to South Korean calls on a set of cross-border inter-Korean hotlines for about a week. Communications on those channels are meant to prevent accidental clashes along the rivals’ disputed western sea boundary.

On Tuesday, South Korean Unification Minister Kwon Youngse, expressed “strong regret” over what he called North Korea’s “unilateral and irresponsible attitude” over the hotlines.

North Korea’s advancing nuclear arsenal is expected to be a major topic during a summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden later this month in Washington.

Experts say the discussions between world leaders at Japan’s Group of Seven meetings in May could be crucial for maintaining diplomatic pressure on North Korea. United Nations Security Council permanent members China and Russia have blocked tighter sanctions on North Korea in recent months, underscoring a divide deepened by Russia’s war on Ukraine.

[polhers]

Modern daymap of north america in 1784

Modern daymap of north america in 1784 series#

As a result, the entire clan was able to evade the punishment meted out by the government on the northern domains. The Kuroishi branch joined the Hirosaki-Tsugaru in siding with the imperial government. It did not take part in any of the major military action against the imperial army. However, it soon switched course, and was briefly a signatory to the pact that created the Ōuetsu Reppan Dōmei, before backing out, once again in favor of the imperial government. Aomori Prefecture, which contains the former Hirosaki and Kuroishi territories, is highlighted in dark green.ĭuring the Boshin War of 1868-69, the Tsugaru clan first sided with the imperial government, and attacked the forces of the nearby Shōnai Domain. In the late Edo period, during the headship of Tsugaru Tsuguakira, the Hirosaki domain's forces were modernized along western lines. Though neither Tsugaru daimyo family ever held shogunate office, the Tsugaru of Hirosaki (together with many of the other domains of northern Honshū) assisted the shogunate in policing the frontier region of Ezochi (now Hokkaido). The main Tsugaru family's funerary temple in Hirosaki was located at Chōshō-ji. A lesser branch was founded by Tsugaru Nobuzumi, the son of the first Kuroishi-Tsugaru family head this branch remained hatamoto through the end of the Edo period. In 1821, there was a foiled plot by Sōma Daisaku, a former retainer of the Nanbu clan, to assassinate the Tsugaru lord this stemmed from the old enmity between the two clans.Ī major branch of the Tsugaru clan was founded in 1656, which was first given hatamoto rank, before being promoted to daimyo status in 1809 this became the ruling family of the Kuroishi Domain, which immediately bordered its parent family's domain.

Modern daymap of north america in 1784 series#

The early years of the Edo era were marked by a series of major O-Ie Sōdō disturbances that shook the Tsugaru family: the Tsugaru Disturbance ( 津軽騒動, Tsugaru-sōdō ?) of 1607, Kōsaka Kurando's Riot ( 高坂蔵人の乱, Kōsaka Kurando no ran ?) of 1612, the Funabashi Disturbance ( 船橋騒動, Funabashi-sōdō ?) of 1634, and the Shōhō Disturbance ( 正保騒動, Shōhō-sōdō ?) of 1647. Tamenobu remained politically active in the early years of the Edo era, mainly in the Kansai area he died in Kyoto in 1608. The domain started out small at 45,000 koku, before being increased in size to 100,000 koku. After the Tokugawa victory at Sekigahara, the Tsugaru clan was granted an increase in territory, along with permission to keep its existing domain of Hirosaki (named for the family's castle town). Its immediate neighbors also all supported the Eastern Army. The Tsugaru clan sided with Tokugawa Ieyasu's Eastern Army during the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Main articles: Hirosaki Domain and Kuroishi Domain Tsugaru (Ōura) Tamenobu The Tsugaru in the Edo era As the Ōura fief had been in the Tsugaru region on the northern tip of Honshū, the family then changed its name to Tsugaru. In 1590, Tamenobu pledged fealty to Toyotomi Hideyoshi Hideyoshi confirmed Tamenobu in his holdings. The Ōura clan's fight against the Nanbu clan, under Nanbu Nobunao, would continue in the ensuing years. Tamenobu also attacked Kitabatake Akimura (another local power figure) and took his castle at Namioka. He had been vice-district magistrate ( 郡代補佐, gundai hosa ?) under the Nanbu clan's local magistrate Ishikawa Takanobu however, he attacked and killed Ishikawa and began taking the Nanbu clan's castles. Relations between the two families soured after the Ōura declared their independence from the Nanbu in 1571, during the headship of Ōura Tamenobu. It was first known as the Ōura clan ( 大浦氏, Ōura-shi ?), a branch family of the Nanbu clan, which ruled sections of northern Mutsu Province. The Tsugaru clan initially claimed descent from the Kawachi Genji branch of the Minamoto clan in later years, this claim of origin would change to the Konoe family, which was a branch of the Fujiwara clan.