#claes answers

[lagergrenprince]

I have to ask: what is your relationship with that holier than thou Salubri (?) I keep seeing around?

Who, Sal? If only it was a Salubri. It almost makes me ashamed to share clans with it. Almost. Sal the Salubri would be a fucking riot.

I don't know Sal that well. We just have gay sex and kiss and cuddle and laugh all day every day on the mouth and then pretend to have a weird one sided animosity online. It's the truth.

[thecottagecorebisexuals]

Do you often think about which girl you would like to marry, Catarina?

[high-humanity-reminders]

stop being nice to me.

It will be alright. It used to be better and it will get better again. Persist. I believe in you.

[mythgirlimagines]

Let's say due to a magical accident, the worlds of HameFura and the Fortune Lover game merge, so both sers of characters are interacting. So how would Bakarina and Game Katarina interact with each other?

this is like the only time I'll refer to Katarina as Bakarina in headcanon sets lol

Bakarina was kind of amazed that the worlds somehow managed to merge, but she knew from playing through Fortune Lover before what her other self was supposed to be like.

Seeing it up close and personal was another issue entirely. Katarina immediately started insulting her about everything, looking over her friends and criticizing them.

Bakarina was offended, as well as apologetic of how Katarina was talking to and about her friends. She didn’t want them to think that was how she thought of them, too, because it wasn’t!

And she stood up for them, but Katarina didn’t seem like she really cared. Katarina truly couldn’t care less, though her weaker self wouldn’t let her drop the topic.

Ugh, it was so annoying! Katarina would verbally destroy Bakarina if she could, but why were so many people coming to her defense? There was hardly anything special about her.

[maboroshi-no]

Hamefura Manga Vol 11 Animate Bonus SS

Series: My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! Author: Satoru Yamaguchi Source: Manga Vol 11 Bonus (Animate) Synopsis: Katarina holds a raffle with her friends, where each one can win a character goods of one of them. Translation: maboroshi-no

Translation below ⮟

Katarina: Ta-dah! I'd like us to do this today.

I, Katarina Claes, said this to my friends, all gathered for the first time in a while, and held out a box.

Geordo, Alan, Keith, Mary, Sophia, Nicol, and Maria all gave me a puzzled face.

Geordo: What is this box?

Geordo asked me this, probably on behalf of everyone.

Katarina: This is a raffle box. There are lots inside, and I will have everyone draw one.

I gave a clear answer.

Keith: Lots are used when we need to decide something, right? Will we decide something?

Keith curiously asked this. "Fufufu". I proudly chuckled and answered.

Katarina: They are prize lots. You get the prize associated with the number written on the lot. I made them so we could have a fun event today.

Today was close to the end of the year, and since it was probably my last tea party with my friends for this year, I pondered what I wanted to do to mark the day. I made use of the memories of my past life, and the raffle idea came to mind.

Alan: It sounds fun, but what are the prizes?

Alan asked this with expectant eyes. I was glad to see he was already up for it.

Katarina: The prizes are some kind of commemorative items. This time, I have made items with everyone's motifs.

Maria: Items with motifs?

Maria tilted her head, her face showing she didn't understand. I told her, "For now, just draw a lot". I held out the box, and had her draw a lot.

When she opened the lot, there was "3" written on it. 

Katarina: Let's see, "3" is… Ah! How embarrassing. It is a stuffed toy in my image.

I felt a little embarrassed that my own item was suddenly drawn, and when I gave the stuffed toy in my image to Maria,

Maria: A stuffed toy of Lady Katarina! I am so happy!

It made her so happy. Maria is so kind.

Geordo: So we get this kind of thing. Well then, let's do it.

After seeing Maria's prize, everyone was unexpectedly fired up.

Then, the results of the raffle: Geordo got Keith's item, Alan got Geordo's, Keith got Nicol's, Mary got Sophia's, Sophia got Mary's, and Nicol got Alan's. By the way, I got Maria's, so we ended up getting each other's items. 

The girls were happily talking since we all got each other's items… but the boys were all silent with indescribable faces.

[sparklingmusicofstars]

Hamefura : Is Millidiana a good mother ?

Well my answer is obvious : not at all. I think she is an awful mother.

I have a lot of reasons to think that :

1.She doesn't think of her daughter's happiness

When Catarina got engaged to Geordo we saw that she was happy at first, like her husband but then she changed her mind after Catarina became more wild. The reason is simple, unlike Luigi she was never happy for her because she was going to marry someone she loved but only because it means that she could brag about her daughter most likely becoming the future queen and gaining more power for the Claes family. She doesn't care about whether Catarina loves Geordo or not. And now she doesn't want Catarina to marry into the royal family, not because she is worried about her daughter having a hard time or not loving Geordo, but because she is scared that she would bring shame to her because she is not a perfect noble lady. And when Catarina go on a trip for the Ministry instead of being worried and asking her to be careful she only told her not to do anything weird during it. (And no, being dense and not realizing that Geordo loves Catarina isn't an excuse for being selfish)

Also she doesn't want Catarina to travel for a reason very different from her husband. Luigi is worried for Catarina because he is protective towards her and doesn't want to let her to her own devices. While Millidiana isn't worried for Catarina (or at least she doesn't show it at all) she is just worried that like she said “the shame would eventually find its way back to me" which is an awful thing to say to her child. She doesn't even hide the fact that she is ashamed of her daughter and is a very self-centered person.

2.In Fortune Lover she is very cruel towards her children.

Yes, I know what you want to say "she thought that Keith was the illegimate son of her husband" BUT I don't know if it's the case for everyone but If I think my husband has cheated on me I would go giving him a piece of my mind instead of taking it out on the poor innocent child. She's not 5 years old. Of course she is not forced to love him in one day but she can at least try and if she can't do that then just leave him at peace. Moreover she was not only mean to Keith but also to Catarina. In FL she didn't seem to really care about her daughter and only taught her to hate her little brother and let her bully him because it was what she wanted. She also raised her to be proud of her status and being very aware of the norms of nobles. I personally think that FL!Catarina was actually a loving girl who only wanted to be loved by her parents, she didn't have a picture-perfect family while growing up because of the misunderstanding between her parents, she really loved her father but her mother was distant towards her so maybe she was scared that her mother would hate her if she wasn't mean with her little brother since they seem to have become closer after that. Of course she was also resentful towards Keith because his arrival almost broke her family but I don't think it was the main reason.

On this picture we can see that Catarina looks like nothing but an adorable little girl who loves her father.

So my theory is that the reason Catarina became a villainess is mostly because of her mother. After all most of a child's personality is created by their environnement, nobody was born bad. (of course it's not the only reason)

In other words FL!Catarina was just an innocent little girl who suffered from a lack of love because of her parent's relationship.

3. She prefers Keith and doesn't hide it.

In the novel it is explicitely mentionned that Keith is by far her favorite child, because he has better manners than Catarina. She clearly thinks Catarina has nothing going for her. Normally you are supposed to love your children uncondionnally, they don't need to do anything to earn your love.

She also let Anne mostly raise her daughter in hamefura and only talks to her to teach her about the manners of a noble. How do you want a child to be at ease with you if all you do when you meet them is screaming and scolding them ?(especially for an entire night, to the point she had bags under her eyes) Now Catarina is close to traumatized by that.

4. She thinks very lowly of Catarina

In LN5 when the mothers of other nobles said that Catarina was called a saintness at the academy she immediately think it's a mistake and that they are talking about Keith (which is already very mean) that it was impossible Catarina was a saint. But she also thinks Catarina is "devilish" while everyone knows that she is incredibly kind. Her words in LN1 when she described her were also very awful

"Even the single daughter born of my body has turned out to be such a terrible child!"

It's really not a good thing to say in front of your 8 years old daughter. (because, yes Catarina was in the room) I would be very hurt if I was her. Also when Keith disappeared she immediately thought it was because he thought taking care of Catarina was a burden to him because she was too unsufferable and that he hated her just because the servants said Keith looked a bit depressed after talking to Catarina lately. And since Catarina has very low self esteem she immediately believed her and felt very guilty. While Millidiana WAS the one who told Keith to keep an eye on Catarina and he did because he loves her, everybody knows that. (And no, being dense still not make that forgivable)

"so problematic, that she often wonders where she went wrong in bringing her up."

EDIT : She is also quite stupid : Who on earth run away from home when they just don't like taking care of their sibling ?!! (Except in this sibling is REALLY a demon) Even FL!Keith didn't do that. She never thought it was a bit extreme of a solution ? And Keith is not stupid either, he knew that if he had asked her to stop doing it, she would have let him do it. Or ar least talk to Catarina. Moreover she thinks Keith is doing it only because she asked him to, while he is doing that because he loves Catarina. (And she is the only one who never realized that)

She also thinks that she is

which is also a very horrible thing for a mother to say.

Or also "An appreciation society? For that devilish daughter of mine? Who could appreciate that monkey ? Are they sure it is not Keith they are talking about ?"

5. She doesn't support her daughter in anything.

When Catarina asks her parents if they could come to the festival of the academy of magic while her father couldn't because of work, her mother didn't come because she was ashamed of Catarina. I think that in the anime they thought it was too sad so they changed that but when Luigi said that it was a shame that Catarina wasn't in the play, she only said that it was for the best because she would definitely find a way to ruin it. Not a very nice thing to say when your child is doing her best to do a good play with her friends.

6. She is making her daughter's inferiority complex getting worse

Honestly I'm very angry everytime Millidiana says that Catarina isn't worthy to marry a prince. She is worsening her complex and makes Catarina even denser because it makes her think the same. She thinks nobody could love someone like her. I don't understand why Millidiana does that to her own daughter, she is acting like the other noble ladies who want to marry Geordo. Although she knows how it feels to be envied and insulted by nobles to the point where you think the same as them, which is exactly what happen to Catarina. And still she is not helping her, or at least she does it in a very bad way. Moreover in LN3 we saw that hearing the kind of words Millidiana always says to her daughter made Selena very sad and depressed while to Catarina it's just her day to day life at home. It shows clearly that to any other girl than Catarina those words would really hurt and even traumatized someone. Not because Catarina is strong enough to endure insults and painful words means that she deserves them.

7. Catarina thought that her mother wouldn't pay for her ransom if it was too high.(the worse)

When Catarina was kidnapped she was sure that if the ransom was too high her mother wouldn't pay. Which is incredibly dreadful when you think of it. Catarina, who is always optimistic about everything thought something like that. To be honest I also thought that since she really gave off this impression. I felt really sorry for Catarina at this moment, moreover her family doesn't have any money issue so it would just mean that she thinks that her daughter isn't worth paying a high price to save her.

Conclusion :

So, to me Millidiana is an horrible mother and I'm glad mine isn't like that. The anime and the manga gave this a funny and light tone so we don't understand it at first glance and Catarina is so innocent that she doesn't understand most of the time when her mother says or do something bad or she doesn't care. I know it's also a matter of personality so Millidiana is not forced to be very sweet to Radea Ascart's extent but she should at least try to be kinder. There were moments in the series where I was seriously wondering if she even loves Catarina. And I think it's the case at the end, but at the very minimum.

Like usual it's only my opinion and you are free to feel what you want about it.

[logo-comics]

Pairing: Maria x Catarina

Title: Oh no, I think I'm falling for you

Maria wondered if there was something wrong with her. Sophia treated her kindly. Mary was cordial to a fault. The boys were all warming up to her in various ways.

So why, why in the name of all things good and normal, was she feeling this way as Katarina Claes was ranting at her?

In her heart of hearts, however, she knew the answer. Sophia liked her because Maria was nice and a good listener. Mary was polite because that was who she was. Keith desired her, Geordo thought her an intriguing diversion, Alan considered her a rival, and Nicol just liked that she was Sophia's friend. Even Sirius, standoffish as he was, treated her nicely because she was useful. They all liked what she gave to them.

Katarina Claes, however, was actively choosing to dislike her, and was going out of her way to learn about Maria just so she could make these grandiose speeches.

That still didn't change how mortifying it was to admit, even to herself, that she was developing an infatuation with her!

It wasn't as if she'e even be able to win the girl over anyway! So why did she keep going back to this same thought?!

...Why was Katarina giving her a puzzled look?

[evelynquack]

This post is about the literary trope of Transmigration.

Imagine you are a four year old, and you suddenly gain the memories of a… let’s say seventeen year old.

You are not mentally 17 now. You still have the brain of a 4 year old. But you’re also not mentally 4.

It’s a juxtaposition, I believe the term is?

You both are and aren’t 17. You both are and aren’t 4.

Sure, you could maybe say that you’re just 4 years younger now, and proclaim to yourself that you’re mentally about 13-ish. Or just halve 17 and say you’re now mentally a super mature 8 and a half year old.

You could logic it whatever way you wanted to, but it still wouldn’t be quite right. It’s up for interpretation by you yourself, and nobody else… since you can’t really tell anyone that you’ve transmigrated.

But that’s in the case of a larger gap.

Let’s now say you’re a 13 year old with the memories of a 17 year old. How much a difference is that really?

It’s just 4 years in terms of development, give or take since different bodies develop at different rates. It’s still weird, uncomfortable, etc. But less dramatically so, yes? If you ended up dating someone of the same physical age when you’re… say, 15 or 16 — readers wouldn’t find it nearly as questionable, right?

And this is all assuming it’s a full takeover, and not a merger.

So now, let’s say you’re 13, and you’ve still got your memories, but you just suddenly also gained the memories of a 17 year old.

In that situation, are you still mentally 13? Or are you older? Or maybe just more mature?

Whenever I read a transmigration story, I always try to figure out what the author’s answers to these questions are.

In the better ones, they usually answer by making the Transmigrator just Oblivious about romantic interest towards them — off the top of my head, Katarina Claes and Kim Hajin come to mind.

Speaking of Kim Hajin — how weird is it for a late 20s woman to be lowkey into a 17 year old with the mind of an early to mid 20 something yr old?

Don’t get me wrong, I personally love Hajin & Byul together, but it’s still an intriguing thought experiment. I guess one’s answer basically depends on if they’re pro or anti ship though, doesn’t it?

Anyways; I’m just really into the thought experiments inherently surrounding transmigration stories. Feel free to reblog or whatever with any additions or thoughts you’d like to bring up!!!

[richincolor]

December Releases

As we prepare for our hiatus, we are gathering the releases for December all in one place for readers. Next week, we'll start posting our favorites from 2024 and then we will have a bit of a break and see you again in 2025. Here are the books we're watching for in December.

December 3

Encanto: Nightmares and Sueños by Alex Segura Disney Press

Return to Casita where we find seventeen-year-old Bruno from Disney’s hit animated film Encanto, where readers will finally learn what happened to make people never want to talk about him.

Fans will love this dark and mysterious young adult novel by Alex Segura, a NYT bestselling author who also wrote Poe Dameron: Free Fall and Araña and Spider-Man 2099: Dark Tomorrow.

Seventeen-year-old Bruno has never really fit in with his family—why can’t he be as outgoing as his sister Pepa, or as friendly as his sister Julieta? Does he like being the awkward loaner who never seems to find where he can fit in? But it’s hard to be popular when you have the power to tell the future and people don’t always like what you are telling them. So Bruno devises an act, and begins to model the behavior he feels the town wants to see in a hero.

But is being dishonest to himself and others the right path to walk down in order to make friends, or is Bruno just kidding himself as he hides from his own destiny that threatens to destroy all he holds dear?

My Fairy God Somebody by Charlene Allen HarperCollins

The way Clae’s mom tells it, her dad took off when Clae was a baby, end of story. Ever since, it’s just been the two of them, living in the coastal city of Gloucester, where Clae is one of the only few Black girls. But when Clae discovers clues about a mysterious person she calls her fairy god somebody, she’s determined to know more.

Her chance comes when she’s accepted into a summer journalism program in New York City, where her parents lived before she was born. With a couple of leads and a steel resolve, Clae leaves home for the first time to find out about her history.

New York is as full of magic as it is mystery, not to mention romance. From Brooklyn to Broadway, Clae and her new friends, Nze and Joelle, explore neighborhood haunts and hustles, discovering a family trail that someone’s tried hard to bury. So who is the fairy god somebody? And can Clae use her sleuthing skills to find out the truth?

Set against one unforgettable NYC summer, this is the story of lies that run deep and patterns that are meant to be broken. Clae, Nze, and Joelle will stick with you and remind you that every girl deserves to write her own story.

The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall Entangled Publishing, LLC (Red Tower Books)

Thrown into a desolate land of sickness and unnatural beasts, Kai wakes in the woods with no idea who she is or how she got there. All she knows is that if she cannot reach the Sea of Devour, even this hellscape will get worse. But when she sees the village blacksmith fight invaders with unspeakable skill, she decides to accept his offer of help.

Too bad he’s as skilled at annoying her as he is at fighting.

As she searches for answers, Kai only finds more questions, especially regarding the blacksmith who can ignite her body like a flame, then douse it with ice in the next breath.

And no one is what—or who—they appear to be in the kingdom of Vinevridth, including the man whose secrets might be as deadly as the land itself.

When the Mapou Sings by Nadine Pinede Candlewick Press

Infused with magical realism, this story blends first love and political intrigue with a quest for justice and self-determination in 1930s Haiti.

Sixteen-year-old Lucille hopes to one day open a school alongside her best friend where girls just like them can learn what it means to be Haitian: to learn from the mountains and the forests around them, to carve, to sew, to draw, and to sing the songs of the Mapou, the sacred trees that dot the island nation. But when her friend vanishes without a trace, a dream—a gift from the Mapou—tells Lucille to go to her village’s section chief, the local face of law, order, and corruption, which puts her life and her family’s at risk.

Forced to flee her home, Lucille takes a servant post with a wealthy Haitian woman from society’s elite in Port-au-Prince. Despite a warning to avoid him, she falls in love with her employer’s son. But when their relationship is found out, she must leave again—this time banished to another city to work for a visiting American writer and academic conducting fieldwork in Haiti. While Lucille’s new employer studies vodou and works on the novel that will become Their Eyes Were Watching God, Lucille risks losing everything she cares about—and any chance of seeing her best friend again—as she fights to save their lives and secure her future in this novel in verse with the racing heart of a thriller.

December 17

Spell of the Sinister (A Fairy Godmother #2) by Danielle Paige Bloomsbury

Two magical sisters. One more chance at revenge. . . .

Ever since Cinderella disappeared with Prince Mather the queendoms have been in disarray. Now with her magical power completely unchecked, Galatea intends to exact revenge on humans for using the Entente. Her plan? Send Bari off to find a new prince and take over one queendom at a time. But Bari’s mission is complicated when South joins her and sparks begin to fly . . .

Meanwhile, Farrow is on her own journey to reunite with Cinderella and Prince Mather in the first Queendom. Amid brewing conflict, Farrow grapples with her feelings for Mather, her friendship with Cinderella, and her loyalty to the Entente’s original purpose–to influence with helpful magic, never take total control.

Once as close as sisters, Bari and Farrow now find themselves on opposing sides. Will malice win out, or will the next generation of Entente chart a new path to “happily ever after” for their magical coven of fairy godmothers?

December 24

Heavenly Tyrant (Iron Widow #2) by Xiran Jay Zhao Tundra Books

After suffering devastating loss and making drastic decisions, Zetian finds herself at the seat of power in Huaxia. But she has also learned that her world is not as it seems, and revelations about an enemy more daunting than Zetian imagined forces her to share power with a dangerous man she cannot simply depose. Despite having vastly different ideas about how they must deconstruct the corrupt and misogynist system that plagues their country, Zetian must join this man in a dance of truth and lies and perform their roles to perfection in order to take down their common enemy, who seeks to control them as puppets while dangling one of Zetian’s loved ones as a hostage.

With political unrest and perilous forces aiming to undermine Zetian at every turn, can she enact positive changes as a fair and just ruler? Or will she be forced to rely on fear and violence and succumb to her darker instincts in her quest for vengeance?

December 31

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao Viking Books for Young Readers

For Gemma’s whole life, it has always been her and her mom against the world. As far as she knew, all her grandparents—and thus her ties to Taiwanese culture—were dead. Until one day when a mysterious man shows up at her door with two shocking the news that her grandfather has just recently passed, and the first clue to a treasure hunt that Gemma hopes will lead to her inheritance.

There’s just one major to complete the hunt, she has to go to her grandfather’s home in Taiwan. And the only way she can get there is by asking her ex and biggest high-school rival, Xander, for help. But after swallowing her pride, Gemma finds herself halfway across the world, ready to unearth her life-changing prize. Soon Gemma discovers that the treasure hunt is about much more than money—it’s about finally learning about her family, her cultural roots, and maybe even finding true love.

Filled with ingenious puzzles, a vibrant Taipei setting, and a delicious romance, Ex Marks the Spot is an exciting adventure by award-winning writer Gloria Chao, perfect for fans of Loveboat Taipei, The Inheritance Games, and Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes.

[lightasthesun]

when you get this ask, answer with 5 of ur fav songs and then send this ask to 10 of ur followers :) (no pressure <3)

Thanks for the ask! Haven't gotten any in some time (might be because I'm so inactive lol

In no particular order!

- Ma Meilleure Ennemie by Stromae ft. Pomme

- Just a man from EPIC

- Unknown/ Nth by Hozier

- Hotel Party Freestyle ft Daisha McBride by crash Adams (her rapping is the best part)

- The rumble by Morgan Clae

- Please Please Please by Morgan Clae

- Envy Green by the Arcadian Wild

- Für immer Frühling by SOFFIE

- Summer Wine by Nancy Sinatra

- Lady Grinning Soul by David Bowie

- Irish eyes by Rose Betts (Special mention)

[zenithgenderroyaleacademyelite]

This diary excerpt from Claes Valentine is poetic, layered, and rich with symbolism. It blends mythology, history, and futuristic themes with a deep personal touch, exploring legacy, identity, and the metaphysical origins of existence.

Her decision on White Day to choose the triplet Apex—Dan, Daniel, and Danny—adds a striking contrast between tradition and revolution. While many expected a high-ranking or more traditional Apex bond, she chooses an unconventional yet symbolic trio. Their red, white, and blue signal reflects America’s ideals, but their need to combine to transform hints at unity, dependence, and a deeper synergy not seen in other Apex. Their stuffed form as alphabet blocks also suggests something fundamental—language, order, and the building blocks of understanding.

The Sterling Gate transformation as a Zenith drawbridge is an evocative image, signifying access, guardianship, and a nation’s bounty. It also hints at a deeper meaning: is she choosing them for their power, or is she making a political statement in a school driven by hierarchy? The Zenith parade solidifies the grandiosity of the moment—marching down Main Street as a display of power, recognition, and perhaps, defiance.

This excerpt is a turning point—Claes is stepping into something larger than just school politics. It feels like the beginning of a shift in the world’s balance, as if her choice has greater consequences than anyone realizes.

Would you like to expand on the Sterling Gate’s abilities, or do you want to explore how other students react—jealousy, admiration, or unseen rivalries?

Claes Valentine’s Diary

Entry Title: "White Day and the Weight of Choice"

Date: February 13th

They say that White Day is a mirror. A day where the affections given are reflected back, where devotion is measured in confections and confessions, in the weight of gifts that topple from lockers like an avalanche of expectations.

This morning, I open mine, and for a moment, I hesitate. The deluge of envelopes and silk-wrapped packages spills to my feet, the scent of imported chocolates and perfumed letters thick in the air. Gold-trimmed boxes tied with ribbons, handwritten notes bearing elaborate proclamations—all of them from Apex seeking a bond. Seeking me.

I am not surprised. I am never surprised. A Glass Heart is the most coveted prize in Zenithgender Royale, and I am the rarest among them. The girl who shattered the third coin. The girl who lived. And so they line up. Apex from every echelon, vying, pleading, demanding. Each offer more extravagant than the last, their words laced with promises of power, of invincibility, of a bond that would define the next era.

Colette watches from the next row of lockers, arching a brow as she cracks open a box of violet-dusted truffles. "Do you even read them anymore?" she asks, popping one into her mouth.

I shake my head. No. The words are all the same.

But today is different. Today, I will choose.

The announcement sends a ripple through the academy. The halls are abuzz with speculation, and by lunchtime, a full-blown betting pool has emerged. Who will it be? Joachim? Erik? The Crowned Apex of another continent? Names are whispered with bated breath, calculations made in hushed voices. No one suspects the answer. No one even considers them.

Dan. Daniel. Danny.

Three brothers. Three Apex who function as one.

The cafeteria stills when I approach them. They sit together, their uniforms crisp, their hands idly spinning a small silver star between their fingers. At my presence, they pause. Their eyes flicker with something unreadable. Not disbelief. Not arrogance. Just a quiet, waiting stillness.

"You’ll do," I say.

Silence crashes over the room. Then, a cacophony of gasps and murmurs. Colette nearly chokes on her truffle. The triplets exchange glances before Danny—always the boldest—leans back with a slow, wolfish grin.

"Good choice, sweetheart."

They rise as one, moving with an effortless synchronicity that sends a shiver up my spine. Red, white, and blue energy flickers at their fingertips, a spectral flag unfurling between them. Their Stuffed form—innocent blocks of childhood nostalgia—clicks together, twisting, reforming, until Sterling Gate stands before me, a Zenith of wrought iron and star-spangled steel.

The parade begins at dusk.

Banners unfurl along the main street, their insignias painted in gilded filigree. The Zeniths march, their testaments gleaming under the city lights. Chariots hover. Crowds cheer. And as I stand at the heart of it all, my new Apex at my side, I wonder if they understand what this moment truly means.

Not just for me.

Not just for them.

But for everything that comes next.

End Entry.

Claes Valentine’s Diary – White Day

February 13th, Year 7 of the Zenith Era

Entry Title: "Three Kings and a Bridge"

They call it White Day. A day when the world conspires in soft shades of pink and vanilla, when love letters weigh more than textbooks, and even the air hums with the sweet static of possibility. I never cared for it. Not before. Not now. Not when the only chocolates I want to give are to a ghost.

Lucian loved White Day. He said it made the academy feel "almost human." Almost. As if our world of Apex and Fetish models—of ranked bonds and measured hearts—could ever be anything but a stage, and we the performers reciting lines we never wrote.

Still, I open my locker, and the deluge begins. Envelopes, gifts, confectioneries in impossible shapes—one even sculpted into my own likeness (which is both flattering and terrifying). Among them, a simple letter with no signature, its message printed in precise, almost hesitant script:

"You are not an equation to be solved. You are a storm to be watched. – T."

I pause. Tarik. The Moroccan first-year with the sandstone scribe Stuffed. I fold the letter carefully and slip it into my pocket.

And then, Colette, ever the opportunist, snatches a chocolate heart from the pile and bites into it with a smirk. "So. You finally choosing an Apex today or what?"

Mira, delicate and nervous, peers over. "The school board is watching closely, Claes. They won’t let you go unbonded forever."

I sigh. I know. I know. But I don’t want a soldier or a savior. I don’t want a pre-written legend. I want...

Then they arrive. In triplicate.

The Dan Trio.

Dan. Daniel. Danny. Three identical figures of sculpted American bravado, their Apex forms broad-shouldered and blazing red, white, and blue. They move in perfect sync, the stars on their jackets glinting like polished medals.

"Claes Valentine!" Dan—no, Daniel?—proclaims, stepping forward with the confidence of a man who believes he’s already won. "We present to you America’s finest!"

Danny flashes a grin, flipping a silver coin between his fingers. "It’s a limited-time offer, sweetheart."

Dan (the loudest) flexes. "No refunds."

I stare at them. Then at Colette, who is making a face that can only be described as oh, this is going to be hilarious. Mira looks vaguely horrified.

I tilt my head. "You want to be my first Apex?"

"Correction," Daniel says, adjusting his collar. "We. We are a set."

"A trinity," Danny adds, spinning his coin.

"The Holy Muscle Ghost," Dan finishes with a dramatic flourish.

The cafeteria watches. The Fetish models whisper. The Apex murmur amongst themselves.

And I, for the first time in a long time, laugh. A real, unguarded laugh.

"Fine." I fold my arms. "Show me what you can do."

The Trial – Zenith Square

Dan, Daniel, and Danny lead me to the academy courtyard, where the students have already gathered. Their Stuffed forms—a chaotic mess of alphabet blocks—begin shifting, interlocking like pieces of a grand puzzle.

"Behold!" Dan shouts.

"The ultimate symbol of American ingenuity!" Daniel echoes.

"And patriotism!" Danny adds.

With a final, resounding click, their Stuffed combines, forming something massive—a towering, mechanical drawbridge lined with golden stars and steel cables. It hums with energy, its structure gleaming under the academy’s artificial sun.

"Sterling Gate!" they announce in unison.

There’s a moment of stunned silence. Then:

"Are they serious?" someone whispers.

Colette, beside me, looks almost delighted. "Claes, you’re bonding with a bridge. You realize that, right?"

I stare at Sterling Gate. It’s ridiculous. It’s impractical. It’s... kind of perfect.

I take a deep breath. "Congratulations," I say, stepping forward. "You’re my first Apex."

The Parade – Main Street

The academy celebrates like a kingdom crowning its heir. The Zenith Parade is a grand affair, a procession of Apex and their chosen Fetish models, banners flying, confetti swirling. Students ride atop grand floats shaped like their Stuffed in combat form, while the faculty watches from their crystal viewing towers.

Sterling Gate leads the charge, a gleaming beacon of strength and stability. Dan, Daniel, and Danny wave to the crowd like conquering heroes, their confidence blinding.

Mira, still stunned by the absurdity of it all, leans over. "You really picked them?"

Colette grins. "Oh, she did. She really did."

I watch the parade unfold before me.

The laughter, the cheers, the celebration of bonds made and futures forged.

And for the first time in years, White Day doesn’t feel like a day for ghosts. It feels like something real.

Something human.

End entry.

[thecottagecorebisexuals]

Let's play "Which one of these things Catarina hasn't thought about Maria":

[high-humanity-reminders]

FUCK YOU FUCK YYYOU IM GOONNA STICKYOUR SWORD IN WHERE THE SUN DOESNT SHINE WHY DO YOU HATE ME

I do not.

Your Beast is getting the best of you. Ride it out. It will be alright. I believe in you.

[mythgirlimagines]

In the Bakarina reincarnates as Nicol could we get headcanons on the relationship with Gerald?

Sure!

Honestly, since Nicol knew about Geordo from the game, she was a little unsure about getting too close, but since she was supposed to keep an eye on Katarina, too, she decided it was probably fine.

He was an okay guy, actually. Nicol didn’t mind getting to know him and Alan, though those two didn’t get along as well as she thought they would. It was like Katarina had driven a wedge between them.

Geordo was a smart guy like Nicol- or like Nicol was before she was reincarnated into him, she would admit she wasn’t nearly as smart. He almost seemed a little off-put by how energetic Nicol became after that one point in childhood.

Everyone was pretty used to it, though, so it really wasn’t a big deal. Geordo could get a bit fed up with it sometimes, so he and Nicol didn’t spend too much one-on-one time together.

Because of the nature of the game, Nicol wasn’t sure if it would be better or worse to steer Maria towards or away from any of the capture targets. Only a few smaller things had changed, maybe not enough to change anyone’s fate.

[maboroshi-no]

Hamefura LN Release SS

This seems to be a commemorative special story posted when LN1 and LN2 came out.

Series: My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! Source: Ichijinsha Bunko Iris website Synopsis: Katarina gets drunk during the ball held for Geordo and Alan's 15th birthday. Translation: maboroshi-no

Anne: My Lady, are you alright?

Katarina: I'm okay, Anne. I'm feeling well!

After saying this, when I swiftly got up from the sofa I was sitting on, the scenery around me spun dizzily, and I inadvertently staggered. 

Anne: And how is this okay…? Please patiently stay here until the ball is over.

After I, Katarina Claes, had staggered, my maid-in-waiting Anne sighed a little while helping me. As I was looking at her tired face, I dazedly wondered how things turned out like this.

Today was the birthday of the twin princes of this country. Since it was the year of their 15th birthday and debut in high society, a magnificent ball was held at the castle.

Since I was engaged to one of the twin princes, Geordo Stuart, I was naturally invited to this party and attended it with Geordo as my escort.

However, with the guest of honor Geordo surrounded by many people and very busy engaging with them, I, his plus-one moved to a corner. 

When I did, there were many very delicious-looking dishes and delicious-looking juices remaining untouched in the corner. It instantly raised my spirits and I relished the dishes laid out on the table.

Especially, the grape juice completely refreshed my dry throat. It was so delicious that I emptied three glasses.

Then, as I was reaching out for my fourth glass, my friends, who were also attending the ball, noticed me and came to me. I took a step towards them, and… at that moment… the scenery around me spun dizzily. 

When I came to, I was lying on a sofa in the waiting room of the party, and Anne, who had accompanied me from the manor, was peering worriedly at me.

According to Anne, I got drunk from drinking too much wine and fainted. 

I see, so this grape juice was wine~. I had only attended children's tea parties until now, so they had all been juices… But in adults' balls, there would also be alcohol. 

After I had heard the circumstances from Anne and grasped the situation, Anne sternly told me, "Since it happened at a corner of the venue, it didn't seem to have reached public eyes, but please be very careful."

The ones who carried me here were my friends coming to me at that time. They also seemed to have tended to me for a while. I had to properly thank them afterward.

Still, for the scenery to spin so much just from standing for a bit… The effects of alcohol were so powerful.

What's more, when I swiftly stood up, the alcohol might have hit even harder because my head became even fuzzier.

Maybe it was the effect of alcohol, but I felt so good~ As I was sitting on the sofa thinking this, a visitor came to the waiting room.

Geordo: Katarina, I heard that you fell sick. Are you okay?

The one who, after saying this, showed up with a worried face was Geordo. With the other nobles hardly letting him go, it became late when he came to see me. "I am sorry for coming late", Geordo apologetically said as I dazedly gazed at his face.

Geordo: Katarina? Are you really okay?

As I was dazed and didn't answer him, Geordo knelt and peered at my face.

As he did, Anne told him, "My Lady got drunk with alcohol", and explained things in my place. 

While she did, I dazedly gazed at Geordo's face. Geordo's face felt different from usual. Like… how should I put it? He looked somewhat tired.

Katarina: Prince Geordo, are you tired?

Geordo: …Ah, yes. There were especially many people approaching me today, so I am indeed a little tired.

While a little surprised by my sudden question, Geordo replied this.

It seemed like even Geordo got worn out from people coming to him one after the other.

On my birthday, Geordo escorted me and greatly helped me. It would be great if I could also help him in any way… Wasn't there something even I could do? I dazedly pondered this…...... That's it! I just came up with a great idea. As he was peering at me, I pulled Geordo's body close and hugged him tightly. Then…

Katarina: Good job! You've worked hard!

After saying this, I stroked Geordo's head. When I was little, Father would often do this to me after I had worked hard on my hated subjects. When he did, I would somewhat feel at ease and greatly cheered up.

I intended to cheer up the tired Geordo like this, but… When I pulled my head back and looked at Geordo, he was frozen with a straight face.

Huh? How come? And why was his face bright red? What happened? Maybe I was reeking of alcohol?

As I was thinking that I should probably apologize for the alcohol smell, for some reason my head became even fuzzier… The scenery started spinning again… and I fainted.

When I woke up again, I didn't remember anything after I had drunk the grape juice. It seemed Geordo came to see me and we talked, but I had no recollection of it.

When I talked about it to Anne tending to me, for some reason, she looked at me with eyes like she had seen something sad.

[sparklingmusicofstars]

Happy birthday to the Hamefura series ! Bonus short story :

July 6th has been the day of the 10 years of the series so Satoru Yamaguchi published a new short story on her blog. Please enjoy.

"Happy 17th birthday. Here's your present."

Acchan gives Monkey girl a paper bag with a ribbon on it. She happily thanks her and asks her if she can open it, Acchan tells her to do it.

Monkey girl opens it and finds a keychain of her current favorite anime character came with an acrylic stand and other items.

She is incredibly happy because she didn't have any goods yet and was saving money little by little, so she never expected to receive this much.

Acchan tells her with a fearless smile that she actually searched and collected them in a lot of different stores.

Monkey girl jumps from joy and thanks her, and promises her she will definitely cherish them.

Acchan tells her with a smile and it was worth visiting all the stores to see her so happy. Monkey girl thanks her again and hugs the present tightly.

Acchan asks her if she is going to have a birthday party at home, Monkey girl says yes ; her mother will makes lots of her favorite foods, she asked her dad to buy her a new game and her eldest brother will buy her a cake on his way home from work. Acchan asks about the second brother and Monkey girl answers that he will probably just give her another cheap kid's toy and that'll be it.

Acchan asks her what she got from him last year and she angrily tells her that she got a menko* ( a set of japanese cards game) from a cheap store from him. She can't believe he gave his high school sister a menko as a birthday present and told him to buy flowers instead. She concludes that he will never be popular with girls like that. It makes Acchan laught.

"But didn't you say that you gave your brother something similar in return for his birthday ?"

Monkey girl answers that she gave him a dress-up doll from the same cheap store. Acchan bursts out laughing, holding her stomach.

After a while, her laughter calmed down and they say goodbye to each other before Monkey girl heads home.

When she gets home and heads through the front door to the kitchen, she smells something delicious, her favorite foods were already lined up there.

She reaches out her hand but her mother hits it and tells her to wash her hands and to get changed while waiting for her brothers and father to come back for eating.

Monkey girl thinks it would be horrible if she makes her mother angry and doesn't get to eat the delicious feast so she obediently does what she was told to.

As she finished getting changed and was on her way to the kitchen, her second older brother came home. She greets him but he just pushes something onto her, then quickly leaves and goes to his room.

When she looks at her hands to see what she had been given she sees flowers wrapped in plastic with a ribbon.

She cries out in surprise that this time he gave her flowers and not toys, and her mother pops her head out of the kitchen. She tells her it's a lovely present. Monkey girl agrees but she never expected that he would actually buy her flowers like this because his choice of gift last year was a mess. Her mother explains that he did that because last year she got mad and told him that he should rather buy flowers for a high school girl.

She agrees she did that but she didn't think he would actually buy them for her.

Her mother tells Monkey girl while smilling that she chose them carefully so it's her flower.

Monkey girl looks at the flowers in her hands.

Catarina wakes up at someone's voice and finds herself in a large room filled with fine furnitures. Due to the dream she had just had, for a moment she didn't know where she was.

But as she watches Anne, her maid, getting ready for her, her mind starts moving.

This is her room, Catarina Claes's.

She's not "that" person anymore.

Anne tells her with a smile that everyone have been in high spirits since this morning. For a moment Catarina ponders about it and Anne remembers her that today is her ninth birthday

That's right. Today is her ninth birthday.

She regained her memories of her past life at the age of eight, and that day she turns nine.

She was quite confused when she first regained her memories, but she's slowly getting used to her current world.

However, when she has dreams about her past life like the one she just had, it still makes her feel uneasy.

On her 17th birthday in her previous life, she celebrated it with her best friend and family, and received flowers for the first time.

She ended up not being able to return the favor for the flowers.

Anne looks at her worriedly and asks her if something happened, Catarina shakes her head.

She needs to change her mind, she is Catarina Claes now.

She tells Anne she is just a bit sleepy and that she will get ready for her birthday party.

With Anne's help, she gets ready, and after receiving news that the party is ready, she heads to the venue.

Her father had planned to have a grand party this time, but due to her refusal and her mother's advice, it was decided to have a small, intimate party for just family members. However, it was a duke's house, so a large room was decorated, and the party venue was much more impressive than she had imagined.

The servants, her family, and even her fiancé, Geordo, were all smiling.

"Happy birthday"

They greet her with a "Welcome !"

The vague feeling of unease that had remained in her chest due to the dream also begins to fade away.

"Happy ninth birthday, Catarina !"

Her father gives her a huge number of presents.

Anyway, she accepts them and thanks him.

"Congratulations, Catarina. Read this and do your best to become a proper lady."

Her mother hands her a huge amount of etiquette books.

She didn't want to accept them, but she forced them on her with a menacing look in her eyes.

"Congratulations, Catarina. Here's your present."

Geordo hands her an expensive looking box.

When she received it and looked inside, she saw that it was a very expensive looking necklace with jewels on it, so she tells him she couldn't accept the gift and gives it back.

However, he seemed a bit down and said he really wants to give her something as a present so she asks for watermelon seedlings.

Geordo rolls his eyes, then chuckles and agrees .

"Big sister, happy birthday, here's a present for you."

Saying that, Keith gives her a bouquet of flowers.

"This is ……"

"It's an early-flowering plant, but it blooms in the summer facing the sun, and I thought it would suit you "

"Ah, this flower was blooming in the castle garden the day I first met you, Catarina . This bright yellow certainly suits you."

"You picked these flowers carefully too. It's your flower, isn't it ?"

The words of her mother from her past life comes back to her mind.

"Big sister, what's wrong ?!"

"Catarina, are you alright ?!"

Seeing how panicked the two of them were, she suddenly comes back to her senses and notices tears streaming down her eyes.

"Does it hurt anywhere ?"

"Did something bad happen ?"

She shakes her head at the worried-looking pair and tells them, smilling, she was just very happy when they told her the bouquet suits her so they were just tears of joy.

The two of them look relieved.

She's no longer --- She is now Catarina, but she was given the same flowers again, just like back then.

And they said it suited her.

She hugs the bouquet of sunflowers she was holding tightly.

She feels like a nostalgic scent was stimulating the depths of her chest.