#first heard it when they played it live in 06 | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

retnym · 1 year

Text

WORLD TOUR- .06

"Publicity isn't so bad."

“What the fuck!?” I shouted, storming out of my bedroom into the living room where everyone except Tom was. “What’s up?” Georg was the first to speak up as he took a drink of his coffee. I aggressively start tapping on my phone and then show what I was just looking at.

We recently got touch screen phones, finally getting rid of the flip phones so we can do more on these it’s just sadly smaller than you’d like to have. Georg takes the device, letting Gustav see as well. After a few seconds of reading they burst into laughter. “It’s not that funny.” I huff, crossing my arms as Gustav shows the phone to Johanna who presses her lips together tightly, trying not to look me in the eyes.

“I want to see.” Bill pushes through them, taking it from them. “Oh boy.” He slaps a hand over his mouth, cracking up. “What’s so funny?” And here we go. Tom joins the room holding a Coke and an apple in the other hand. We all look at him, the others try to hold their laughter in as I just look annoyed.

Bill silently walks over to him with my phone, as Tom reads he takes a bite of his apple, we all watch his reaction as his face contorts when he’s reading his eyebrows lifting in surprise. “Gross.” I shake my head, finally going over to the twins and taking my phone back from them. Turning it off and shoving it into my back pocket.

What’s on my phone is an article on the internet that’s going to be placed on the front page magazine in stores for everyone to see. It’s pictures of Tom and I from yesterday and it’s made to look like we were a lot closer than we actually were. The main thing read: “Tom Kaulitz and [Name] [Last Name] seen together out and about, eating, at the dry cleaners and at a supermarket. Are they the next big couple?”

First of all, ew, ew ew, ew. Second of all that’s so creepy, they literally have pictures from every single place we went and just because we ran errands together all of a sudden we’re a couple? “That’s pretty funny.” Gustav chuckles and Johanna agrees. “Well, it wouldn’t have even happened if you guys didn’t leave us.” I roll my eyes as they just snicker at each other and go back to playing a tic-tac-toe game.

“Publicity isn’t so bad.” Bill shrugs, “It is if it’s saying I’m with Tom.” I remind him and he sighs, motioning that I kind of have a point. “I mean there’s nothing we can do about it now.” Georg points out and Tom hums in agreement taking another bite from his apple. “I guess you’re right.” I stare at the floor sadly.

What is Jace gonna think?

Has he already seen it? Is he going to hate me?

Johanna taps me on the shoulder and I snap out of my thoughts, we should probably talk anyways. I take her hand and we go into my bedroom together. I shut the door carefully before the both of us jump onto the bed.

“Seriously nothing happened?” She asks, I take out my phone and nod, placing it next to us. “We just talked if that’s something to your nothing.” I shrug.

“Why?” My eyes follow up to hers as she seems to almost be in another world as she thinks before she speaks. “I don’t know.”

“Did something happen with Gustav?” I smirk, and she snaps in my direction. “Huh?” She slightly chokes on her own saliva as I start laughing. “So there is something?” I tease her only to get swatted away. “We’re just friends.”

“For now.”

“Don’t change the subject, what did you guys talk about? Are you two good now?” She goes back to Tom and I take a deep breath wanting to continue to make fun of her but this seems to really pique her interest. “Just things, and I think so. Hopefully.” I whisper the last part but I think she heard. “What about Jace?” She quickly changes the subject and I just throw my head back.

“He comes over soon to pick me up.” I bite on my bottom lip as I think about the magazine and about things Tom said yesterday. “Are you guys going to try doing the distance thing again?” This question stumbles me and it reminds me again of Tom. His face flashes as he tells me there are so many guys who want to be with me and here I am thinking about Jace.

“I think I’ll have my answer when he gets here.” I lay back on the bed, I play with my fingers as a million thoughts race through my mind. I felt Johanna join me, her head lying next to mine. We stayed in comfortable silence for what seemed like hours which in reality it had only been six minutes.

“I’m thirsty.” She mumbles and I turn to her. “Get water.”

“I don’t want to get up.” She groans like a baby so I roll my eyes and get right back up. “What do you want?” I throw a hand to my hip as she smiles innocently at me. “A sprite.”

I roughly open the door only to hear the boys talking so being me and since they didn’t hear the door I gently closed it and tip-toed to the end of the hall, listening in. “I can’t believe you guys didn’t argue at all.” Bill giggles, and the other two join. I try to hold back a laugh too as it does seem nearly impossible as we spend so much time arguing. “I only let her complain to me so we weren’t causing a scene in public,” Tom informs them and my eyebrows furrow at his words.

“Like I’ve said before, she’s desperate for attention, any guy that looks her way she’ll give into and I was only proving a point for myself.” He takes a drink from his coke loudly and whatever smile that was left on my face drops. My heart pounded and felt like it was going to leap out of my throat. “Yesterday was just to help us get through the tour.”

“That’s not right, Tom,” Gustav says and I glance from the wall, they were all facing the other direction but from their energies, they all seemed disappointed. Bill looked like he was spacing out. “She was a little right man, you are a dick.” Georg sighs. A few seconds pass by and I clear my throat letting them know I was about to walk by.

All their demeanors change but I don’t acknowledge them, just heading straight to the kitchen and grabbing what I was even coming out for. Then heading right back to my bedroom. I stand outside the door, hearing them talk again. “Do you think she heard?” Bill worriedly asked. “Hopefully not,” Gustav adds.

Dropping my head for a split second I open the door and lift my shoulders, placing a fake smile upon my face. I hand her the drink and we continue talking. But that conversation I eavesdropped in never left my mind.

As we were now just relaxing and listening to music after we had just fought over what show to watch but of course not being able to pick we just landed on music and lay there. I felt the bed vibrate and I shoot up, having to shove the blankets and pillows around as I searched for my phone. “Here.” Johanna laughs and I take it from her.

It was a text message from Jace saying he was outside. “He’s here.”

“Already?” She whines, “I’ll see you before the show.” I grab my bag and slip on some shoes. “Tell me how it goes.” Jo whistles and I laugh, nodding and running out of the room. As I was about to open the front door a hand goes onto my bicep. “Wait, where are you going?”

Tom smiles at me and I wince, closing my eyes shut before relaxing my shoulders and turning to look at him. “Out with Jace.” I fake a smile. “Oh,” His smile slightly faulters. “Have fun.” He lets go og me and I just walk out of the door.

I make the decision before the show, that’s what I told Jace and that’s what I’m going to do.

“Hey, beautiful.” Jace was standing on the passenger side of his car, opening the door for me. I stand on my tip toes and kiss his cheek. “Hi, babe.” I drag my hand on his torso before getting into the car. He shuts the door and makes his way to the driver's side as I glance to back to the house and I swear I saw someone looking through the window.

Whatever.

Jace ends up just getting fast food and we sit in the parking lot. “So,” He coughs, swallowing the bite he had in his mouth, covering his face with a hand before he continues.

“I saw that article from yesterday.” And my heart drops and so does my appetite. I place down my fries and adjust my body to face him. “I thought the others were supposed to be there.” He says but it was more in a questioning way. I nod, wiping my hands on my jeans. “There were, but they left us alone and honestly the only time we really talk was in the supermarket. He’s an asshole anyways.” I sigh, taking a little sip of the drink that we’re sharing.

“I wasn’t questioning you, I just thought they cropped out the others.” He laughed, but he saw my face was still down so he sighs then talks again. “I thought you two were getting along though.” He places his hand atop mine and I sadly look into his eyes. “Me too.”

I explain what I overheard and as I talked I watched as his jaw clenches, I squeeze his hand and smiled. “It’s okay though, I don’t know why I thought we were actually going to stop hating each other.” I laughed, he just shakes his head. “It’s not okay, you aren’t desperate.” He takes my face into his hands.

That’s when I got my answer.

My answer for being with him.

“I want to try.” I suddenly whisper to him and his eyes widen.

“Really?” He smiles and I nod dramatically. “Let’s do it,” I say and he kisses me roughly before peppering the kisses around my face causing me to laugh.

It was all cut short by the sound of my phone going off. “Shit, it’s Gustav,” I mutter, quickly answering the call. “Hey, we gotta go in sooner than we thought, be there in 20,” Gustav tells me. “Okay, see you there.”

“Of course, love you.” He calls out and I laugh. “Love you too.”

“I have to get to the theater for our last concert. Sorry to cut this short.” I frown and he motions it off. “Let’s get you there on time.” He kisses me one last time before driving off.

Getting to the building the both of us were rushing inside, having to push past workers on accident of course having to yell “I’m sorry!” Over and over again.

Once we met up with everyone else I let go of Jace’s hand and went straight to Johanna. “We’ve decided.” I laugh, the boys listened in, acting like they weren’t but I know them better than that. “Yes?” She took my hands. “We’re trying out the distance.” I squeal and she pulls me into a hug.

“Congratulations!” She grins, Bill puts himself into the hug as well, jumping up and down with us. “That’s so exciting!”

Then we stop and I glance over to Tom who isn’t saying or doing anything but after what he said earlier I just look back to the others who started threatening Jace that if he hurts me again he’s dead.

I don’t know if this is a good idea but I might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

Alright, it's gettin good for real! Now here's more drama. I told you the enemy part wasn't over yet. It probably won't be until like chapter... I'm not even going to say it because I said so. I'm still sick as hell but I wanted a chapter out so I made it happen. I hope I can do the same tomorrow. But until next time:)

#bill kaulitz #georg listing #gustav schäfer #tokio hotel #tom kaulitz #x reader

233 notes · View notes

miloscat · 1 month

Text

[Review] Sonic the Hedgehog (PS3)

An embarrassment, frankly.

After playing Forces and actually liking it, I figured I'd give a chance to the franchise's biggest punching bag. Turns out that in this case, I agree with the popular consensus: Sonic 06 is broken and unfinished, with a messy story, bad controls, and crippling performance issues. I've heard it described as entertainingly bad, but I just can't go along that far; I had a miserable time with this game. Let's get into it, shall we?

Although I'm still not ready for my Sonic doctorate, I'm progressing well in my studies. I've played enough of Adventure to pick up that Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) is trying to be Adventure 3 in all but name (and speaking of the name, this game is not to be confused with the Mega Drive game, or the Master System game, or any of the handhelds or animated shows or comics or movies of the same name... the title is the first of many stupid decisions in Sonic 06). A big group of playable characters, more open levels than what would come later, exploration of hub areas, and a heavy focus on story and cutscenes with interweaving plot threads. It's fine in theory, it's just that every individual piece breaks down in various ways. As opposed to previous Adventure games, there are just three main stories (Sonic, Shadow, and new character Silver who is basically just Dragonball's Trunks) with the other hangers-on popping up only temporarily within certain levels.

Sonic's story, such as it is, revolves around Elise, a filler character who is a gormless and feckless human princess and frequent damsel in distress; she gets kidnapped out of nowhere at least five times and dies in a plane crash once, necessitating time travel-based rescuing. Elise’s role in the story when she’s not being kidnapped is alternately mooning, pining, emotional outbursts, and having a tragic backstory. Also, on several occasions Sonic the Hedgehog literally tells her she should smile more. Textbook misogyny, WTF. On top of this is the uncomfortable subplot about a potential romantic connection between her and Sonic, which always fails to feel earned or appropriate. The one saving grace of the character is the mildly amusing idea that her design is loosely based on the chicken animal that you free from badniks in the early games.

I know it sounds harsh but Elise almost single-handedly drags down the whole "story" aspect of this game. After progressing Sonic's mode you unlock the others and theirs almost feel like real plots, centering around stopping Iblis—the mindless beast of fire who ruined Silver's future—and Mephiles—a scheming creature of shadow—before they reunite. Even these stories don't really hold together though with their disjointed plotting, time-hopping, and contrived interactions. Not to mention the utter humourlessness, and the sheer awkwardness of everything from writing to line-readings to mocapped movements. The fact that it's seemingly incompatible with Blaze's backstory in Rush was annoying to me personally, and ending the story with a closed time loop "it never happened" resolution is just the icing on the rotten cake.

I must also mention another decision made in Sonic 06: why game look like that? It falls into the trap of early HD striving-for-realism and falling far short, but it also feels unfitting for Sonic. After all, the hedgehog himself and his anthro friends are as cartoony as ever (almost expressionless faces notwithstanding), so putting them next to the human-looking humans really jars, especially the redesigned Eggman. And speaking of, his robot army is at its most militaristic and entirely whimsy-free... just another in a long line of missteps for ol' 06.

Now all this could be swallowed if the game was fun to play. You should be able to predict that indeed it isn't. Sonic's playstyle is the stinkiest of the lot, particularly the autoscrolling running sections that feel barely functional and were the biggest cause of lost lives (I did not appreciate starting over a ten-minute level due to these abominable segments). His moveset is simple, just a homing attack and not much else, and without a targeting reticle it's unpredictable. He has some sloppily implemented extra powers that are unlocked in a shop; hilariously they're supposed to drain your special bar but due to some error they just don't, so you can use them infinitely for what that's worth.

Shadow is similar, with a combo attack and ranged stunning bolts, but also has a lot of vehicle sections which while awkward are playable enough; meanwhile Silver plays like an entirely different game. His psychokinetic powers let him pick up and throw enemy projectiles and physics objects. It's janky but his slower-paced, almost puzzley levels felt ever so slightly less like the game was constantly falling apart at the seams. There's 9 playable characters in total and none of their abilities work very well; among the others Knuckles and Rouge were pretty fun with their gliding and climbing completely breaking level design, while Blaze (another big reason I wanted to try this game, an opportunity to play as my favourite character in 3D) has a fun moveset with a double jump and a homing attack that actually keeps momentum and flings you around. Like everything in the game it's slippery and totally jank but in a way that actually feels fun sometimes.

I even sprung for the "Team Attack Amigo" DLC (now only available on PS3!) which remixes the levels for play as Tails, Blaze, and Omega (aka projectile spam bot). I should say that each campaign takes you through the same nine levels, sometimes making them new, sometimes reusing whole segments which gets old. The lowest point of the low are the boss fights, another area where the phrase "barely functional" comes to mind. These are tedious to the extreme with a lot of waiting, and several of them recur in each campaign. The worst is fighting Silver, who can instantly grab you psychically and hold you for a long pause before throwing you, and then catch you again as you recover with no chance to make any input. Wonderful!

The elephant in the room for Sonic 06 is its performance. I guess being rushed to release in an unfinished state actually has its downsides, which take the form of horrendous slowdown throughout the entire game experience. Having seemingly almost any number of objects or any amount of level geometry on screen starts making the game chug, the action not dropping frames but rather slowing to a crawl as you agonisingly float mid-jump waiting for your next input to register. And this is despite having pretty severe pop-in not too far away from your character. For what's supposed to be a fast-paced action game it's frankly unforgivable. And speaking of things that you wish ran faster, the loading screens are interminable not just for their length but their frequency: deign to do a side mission and you'll sit through a long load both before and after a character gives a tiny snippet of dialogue until you're allowed to try it, and if you fail then get ready to do it all again! They really add up!

I could go on: the camera is atrocious, the music is forgettable, Elise is incredibly cringe-inducing—oh wait, I covered that already. To be fair there is one bright shining spot and it's from my new old friend Tomoya Ohtani: the main theme His World stands among my favourites from Forces, a strong melody that mixes rock and orchestral with even some rap and makes it work! Watching the credits four times may have been the most pleasant part and it's all thanks to this song. So that's my big takeaway from Sonic 06: the rumours are true, it sucks big time, don't play it unless you're a real loser like me who doesn't value their time, it's a monument to Sega's staggering incompetence, but hey this one song is really good, maybe give it a listen!

#sonic #sonic the hedgehog #sonic 06 #ps3 #sonic team #review

7 notes · View notes

tm-trx · 1 year

Text

Only Friends.06

All hell breaks loose at the halfway point. Let the bullet points commence!

Fan edit montage opening - nice

Mew has two moms!

I like that Mew could be interpretated as either demisexual or a late bloomer, based on what we’ve seen and heard from him so far; I’m leaning late bloomer myself.

oh Top you are in for a fall buddy

“we keep our personal lives away from work” hah

Really Boston? Someone films you without your consent and you’re rightly upset about it, but you have no problem doing the same thing to your friends.

I've said it before, but this tension between Sand and Top is a lot, even for stealing an ex. There are six episodes left and I really hope we get more background for them because it still feels like there is more going on. I need to know! (Also, put First and Force in another show together please and thank you GMMTV. They play off of each other so well.)

I know that Top and Mew are likely not going to make it (for a variety of reasons) but I sure wish they would. I like their relationship progression.

ugh Boston you suck (can't wait to go back through my notes when the show is over and count up how many times I wrote that LOL)

The awkward truth-bomb speech yikes. Why is no one stopping Ray instead of standing around waiting for whatever else he’s going to say? Plot reasons make things so stupid sometimes.

Ray :(

First and Khao man - they’re just so good - that last scene was brutal but I couldn’t take my eyes off of them

hah I knew it - Mew knows, but also yikes

That was really well done. Mew seducing Top with the express purpose of revealing he knows Top slept with Ton was so gross but such soapy goodness. It's right up there with Aaron telling Chrissie about the affair*. Top tier entertainment.

But then the writers did the 'suffer in silence' thing that I absolutely hate where the person who did wrong is not allowed to speak or explain what actually happened (because facts and talking things out like adults resolves arguments faster). In this case, yes Top slept with Ton and he's letting Mew speak his piece about it, but Mew’s assumptions about the reasons why are way off base and Top isn’t even defending himself which only confirms everything Mew is thinking. And like I said, I know why they do it - it’s the last scene in the episode so they want viewers to come back and find out what happens next. But as a viewer, I hate watching it when the scene is unlikely to be continued in the next episode. At best, we'll get flashbacks to more of their conversation.

next week’s preview??!?!?!! - Mew lost his serial killer glasses but that obviously didn’t mean anything, based on the last shot. Or else the editing team has seen the "unhinged Mew" posts and are having fun with us.

I know I complain a lot about plot stuff but in reality I'm eating this show up. The only thing that would make it better would be a murder plot, but I have a feeling this is not that show.

*waves to the robron fandom

#only friends the series #ofts #ql drama #thai drama #tmtrx watches dramas

19 notes · View notes

taekooktimeline · 2 years

Text

January 24, 2023 -

Tae goes on Weverse live twice!

In the first live, around 1:06, Jk can be heard in the background.

Can also view here - https://twitter.com/myu_kookv/status/1617830777286463488?s=46&t=qHlelhqtintYwqwgreDQvQ

Around 2:01 of the first live, Jungkook can be heard singing in the background. Tae cuts the live quickly right after.

Can also view here -

https://twitter.com/jk_myou/status/1617793619410423810?s=46&t=qHlelhqtintYwqwgreDQvQ

https://twitter.com/0901mg_/status/1617799139617820673?s=46&t=GH_dP6PEhyZ65N1T907NRA

Around :41 of the second live, he mentions he’s playing games with friends (AND) Jungkook. (I, personally, found the distinction interesting.) He looks to his left as he mentions Jungkook, an indicator Jungkook is standing in that area and his eyes are subconsciously looking in that direction.

Can also view here - https://twitter.com/thvkookly/status/1617792716464861184?s=46&t=qHlelhqtintYwqwgreDQvQ

(This above reminds me of Tae’s November 14, 2022, live, when he mentioned Jk and his eyes instinctively looked in a specific direction, instead of to the camera. Recap - https://at.tumblr.com/taekooktimeline/november-14-2022/ulf113bvsu8a -> compilation https://twitter.com/kakostel/status/1617892333999230977?s=46&t=5IHBnfazeH6SGwFVRiMfnw )

Translations -

Small recap of Tae’s lives -

One picture of a few photos he posted on his IG stories (he also posted of Tannie)

All photos can be seen here - https://twitter.com/taeguide/status/1617796130984833025?s=46&t=GH_dP6PEhyZ65N1T907NRA and here https://twitter.com/thetkglobal/status/1617818645295685634?s=46&t=mLNyXEFyhu80di6R_Mzwng

Taekookers generally think Jan 23 and / or Jan 26 have significance for Taekook, considering past moments (Jk saying to pay attention to the lyrics at 1:23 + confirming the 123 theory, Taekook covering songs on 1/26/16, their private Namsan dinner was 1/26/18, they were loud at the Grammys on 1/26/2020, etc). This means, for me personally,Tae going live around these dates is very interesting.

This thread covers those dates in detail - https://twitter.com/gcf0fvante/status/1617512506167267330?s=46&t=mLNyXEFyhu80di6R_Mzwng

#taekook #taekooktimeline #2023 #weverse live #closeness

82 notes · View notes

withoutyouimsaskia · 1 year

Text

The Placebo Effect

When it comes to music, for me, there is no other band that compares to Placebo.

Placebo came into my life when I was around 9 or 10 and they changed my life. I didn't understand the gravity of the lyrics in many of the songs but I loved the sound of them. It was unlike anything I had ever heard before (or since for that matter).

Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal inspire me every day. They are two of my favourite people on the planet. The influence they have on me is profound. I find solace and joy in their art and their aesthetic informs a lot of the choices I make with clothing and makeup.

Their music is a safe space.

They are the reason I created a Tumblr profile; I wanted photos and GIFs of them on tap. My username and bio description are Placebo related and my profile picture was taken with a special filter they made when the Surrounded by Spies single was released in 2021.

I was fortunate enough to see them live for the first time last night (13/06/23) in my favourite venue. Second row. Right in front of Brian. So close that I could see the blue-green of their eyes.

Right from the opening chords of Forever Chemicals, I went to another plane and still haven't come back.

This was the one. The perfect concert.

They are masters of their craft. The mix of older and newer songs. The relevance of the lyrics. Every note was poignant and visceral. The power in Brian's voice was stunning.

Seeing the enjoyment on Brian and Stefan's faces as they smiled and gave knowing looks to each other, it warmed my heart. I made eye contact with both of them several times and being able to connect with them like that was unbelievably special.

I sang to every song, and danced and jumped. I threw my hands up and shook my hair around. I cried when they played Song to Say Goodbye and Happy Birthday in the Sky. I kept putting my hand on my chest, right over my heart, so I could feel the vibrations of the music. I let go of my inhibitions. I love that they encouraged a no phone/camera policy; it was a room full of people living in a unique moment. For 23 songs, they had us in the palm of their hands.

It was a gift to share that time with them. To watch them do what they love and to hear songs that I connect to on such a deep emotional level.

When they left, the cheers and clapping went on for ages and I started to process what had just happened.

Outside, I reunited with the friends I had made while queuing and inside the venue, and we had a very excitable de-brief together, took group photos and exchanged contact details.

It was a perfect evening. I was euphoric. Floating far above the metaphoric clouds.

And then I met Stefan. Actual Stefan Olsdal. One of my absolute favourite people. I had written a letter to him and Brian and decided to ask the security people outside the tour bus if they could get it to them. I got an even better and totally unexpected offer: "would you like to meet Stefan?"

The next thing I know, he's coming out the bus to specifically speak to me.

It was so easy to talk to him. He's very softly spoken and sweet. He asked me how long I had been following them and was surprised at how young I had been. He also seemed excited that it was my first time seeing them.

I did gush a bit incoherently but he was lovely and and comforting. His replies to my praise were humble and precious. I loved seeing his smile up close. He also gives very satisfying and long hugs. I adore the photo we took together and I will treasure it forever.

I mean, look at Stefan's beautiful face.

Thank you Placebo for your art, and for last night. It was like being in a dream. I will never be the same again ❤️

#placebo #placebo band #stefan olsdal #brian molko #favourite band #music #gush post #never let me go

25 notes · View notes

putschki1969 · 1 year

Photo

2023/06/15 Blog post by Wakana 渋谷から次は梅田へ！〜梅雨ですね〜

❗This is Fan Club EXCLUSIVE content❗ ❗PERSONAL USE ONLY❗ Do ❗NOT SHARE❗ on other sites ❗Join her FAN CLUB! Check out my detailed TUTORIAL ❗

From Shibuya to Umeda！〜It’s Rainy Season〜

I found this flower when I got off the station the other day💕What kind of flower could it be😳✨The colours and petals are so beautiful 😳✨I thought only hydrangea bloomed at this time of year but there are various flowers blooming in the world 🤗

Helo, this is Wakana (0￣▽￣0)／

It's been raining a lot lately but I unexpectedly like it... First of all, I like the sound of rain😍Also, the slightly dull and cloudy sky is even darker than usual, isn't it? I like that too 😍 When you look at it, there’s always a sense of foreboding, it's going to rain~It's going to rain ~ 😂 The temperatures are still moderate right now but I'm afraid it's going to get really hot soon...😇 I wonder if I will be able to survive the heat...😇

By the way, last Saturday I held an in-store event to commemorate the release of "Sono Saki e" at Tower Records Shibuya! I performed together with Sakurada-san who accompanied me on the piano! It's been a while since I’ve heard Saku-chan play the piano, it was a lot of fun~🥰 Saku-chan's playing style was so intense and powerful that the piano was shaking! *laughs* Truly amazing - what a dynamic performance🤭This was my first event with a live audience since my Christmas concert from last year, there was also a live stream option so people were able to watch the whole thing online. I picked a few songs from my 3rd album "Sono Saki e", some of which I hadn’t watched in front of an audience before☺️The archived video will be available until Saturday, so please be sure to check it out 😍You can watch me be super nervous during the first song😂

On June 17th, I'm going to Osaka 🥳🎉This time I’ll do a free live show at the Tower Records Umeda NU Chayamachi store♪ Everyone, please be sure to come 🌟See you in Osaka!

Until next time ☆( *'▽'*)/

＊＊＊Wakana＊＊＊

2023/06/15 Instagram post by Wakana

Today was dedicated to radio appearances 🥳At 16:00, I had a remote appearance on FM FUJI's "Bumpy!"☺️ I got to remain in Tokyo while the episode was live broadcast in Yamanashi prefecture...amazing time, isn't it?😳✨I got way too excited talking about movies and dramas with DJ Maya Watanabe 🤭 Maya, thank you very much!! ️

And then at 19:00, I appeared on NACK5-san's "Kirasta"🤗It's been three years and four months since my last appearance! 😳✨I was happy to be able to meet Miura-san and Momoka-san for the first time in a while😍We had a blast talking about gyoza😂It was fun 🌟 I'm definitely having gyoza tonight!! ️🥟🥟🥟🥟

Instagram post | Tweet

#kalafina #wakana #wakana blog #botanical land #fan club exclusive content #wakana on instagram

19 notes · View notes

mikeywayarchive · 1 year

Text

Mikey Way talks bass heroes, 'Bowie moments' and his signature Squier

By Matthew Parker published February 27, 2013

My Chemical Romance's bassman interviewed

Full interview under the cut:

BASS EXPO 2013: My Chemical Romance are a band that have polarised opinions, angered newspapers, formed an army of extremely loyal fans the world over and managed to keep their heads in the process. But despite their formidable live reputation, their musicianship is often overlooked in favour of whatever controversy the press has decided to attribute to the band that month.

In attempt to rectify this, we spoke to bassist Mikey Way and picked his brains about his early influences, his gear preferences and the development of his signature Squier Mustang bass.

What's your very first memory of the bass guitar?

"My very first memory of the bass guitar - I was about three years old and heard Another One Bites The Dust by Queen on the radio. It was burned into my skull from that moment on, and became a benchmark for bass lines in my mind."

Do you remember the first time you made a breakthrough with your bass playing - the first time you thought 'This is for me'?

"My first breakthrough with bass playing was during one of the first MCR practices in December of 2001. Gerard [Way, frontman] and Ray Toro [lead guitar] both coached me, as I hadn't had a great deal of bass experience up to that point. When I got the picking pattern/timing for [early MCR track] Our Lady of Sorrows down, I had a total 'wow' moment and knew not only did I love it, but I would play the bass forever."

What, for you, is the key to be being a good bass player?

"In my opinion, the key to being a good bass player is rhythm and timing. Bass is what the drummer plays from mostly and everybody goes off the drummers beat."

What MCR song has presented the biggest challenge for you as a bass player and why?

"I would say the song that presented the biggest challenge for me was Planetary (Go!) [from MCR's fourth album Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys]. That song takes a great deal of dexterity to play live, and in turn has made me a better player."

MCR has, for better or worse, had a variety of drummers in its 10 year + history. What impact has that had on your role in the band's rhythm section?

"I can honestly say it benefited me greatly. I've played with five drummers in MCR, either onstage or in the studio and jammed with countless others. They each had different styles and nuances, so I was able to learn a lot from each of them."

Gerard has spoken before about 'Bowie moments' - the 'pinch yourself' experiences the band occasionally gets to enjoy. What have been your favourite Bowie moments with MCR?

"I have been very fortunate to have had many of those moments in our career thus far. Some highlight 'Bowie/pinch me moments' being -the reveal of The Black Parade in London back in '06, headlining Reading and Leeds in 2012, being the first American band in 30 something years to play Vietnam, and being the last band to play in Time Square before the ball dropped."

Have you ever met any of your bass playing heroes? Who's inspiring you currently?

"I've been able to meet many of my bass heroes through the years luckily! Matt Sharp's bass playing on the first two Weezer albums never fails to inspire me."

Do you have a favourite bass line of all time? What is it and why?

"Oh wow, this is a toughie! It's so hard to pick just one, but any of Louis Johnson's bass lines on Michael Jackson's Thriller album take the cake. They are still stuck in my head to this day, after hearing them almost 30 years ago. They are powerful and infectious."

What do you look for when you're buying a bass?

"When I'm buying a bass I look for equal parts sound, playability and vibe. Not only do I want it to sound and play amazing, but its an added bonus when it has interesting "battle damage" or an interesting color pattern that I've never seen before."

You recently released a signature Squier Mustang bass. How did that come about? How does it feel to have your name on a guitar?

"Before, we were discussing 'pinch yourself' moments, and getting my own signature Squier Mustang bass is on that list. I had been sponsored by Fender through most of my time in MCR. I had contacted them about making a custom bass and they hit me back saying they wanted to give me a signature model! To me, this is one of my greatest accomplishments.

"I started playing electric guitar at 14/15, and it was a Fender Stratocaster. My first bass was a Squier P Bass and I haven't used anything but Fender onstage ever since. To say its a tremendous honour and privilege would be an understatement. At least once a day I think about it, and it makes me smile ear to ear."

What is it about the Mustang bass that draws you to that model? What features were you keen to incorporate?

I was drawn to the Mustang because, simply put, they are a hell of a lot of fun to play - especially in a live setting [and] I've always really wanted a Mustang, with a humbucker, and a competition stripe (it's classic and classy!). I've always been in love with flake/sparkle finishes as well; so if you stir all of that up in one - you have my signature model."

What other bass gear do you use? (Amps, pedals etc.) And why?

"As far as other bass equipment - I use the Fender Super Bass Man. From the minute I took it out of the box I was in love, and won't use anything else. Not only does it sound HUGE, but the range of sounds and tones you can get is uncanny. Highly recommended.

"As far as pedals go, I always love the Memory Man and Bass Big Muff/regular Big Muff from Electro-Harmonix. I've been using a Big Muff for distortion since I started playing the electric guitar and swear by it."

Do you use your signature bass on stage?

"Yes, I absolutely do. It's my weapon of choice, badge of honor, and good luck charm all rolled into one."

#mikey way #mcr #fender #musicradar #interview #pk #2013 #feb 2013 #2/27/13 #musicradar bass expo 2013 #text #originals

27 notes · View notes

aruz11 · 4 months

Text

My music video review ~vol.4~

※I recommend reading the link below before reading the review. https://www.tumblr.com/aruz11/743804475824914432/this-is-the-first-post?source=share

Title: Crash on the big Shoopuf

Post date: 16 Feb 2009

length: 1:28

song: Clash on the Big Bridge

youtube

This time I review the video named Crash on the big Shoopuf, uploaded 16 Feb 2009. It was the first video where I used a song from the Final Fantasy series. At that time, I wanted to use other songs from Final Fantasy series, but they were all too difficult for me. So, I decided to use Clash on the Big Bridge, as I felt it would be relatively easier to make a music video with. Now, let's begin.

About the song

This is a song used in the game "Final Fantasy V." Personally, I feel like it's a Gilgamesh theme. This is one of the most popular battle songs in the Final Fantasy series. It's a song with a very rock melody that sticks in my head. Even if you haven't played Final Fantasy V, you might still have heard the song. However, the composer Nobuo Uematsu didn't really like this song. It was even considered for removal because its style was somewhat out of place with the world of Final Fantasy V. It might surprise some people, but perhaps it's these kinds of works that later become popular.

Features of this video

Regarding the audio, I focused on energy rather than precision. Since this music video is relatively short compared to my other videos, I focused on how to build energy. The intro is the prime example of this approach. Instead of carefully fitting the lines, I just layered the audio to make it lively, resulting in that energetic intro. I also managed to showcase some funny scenes with Tidus and Wakka, so despite the short duration, I think I was able to express what I wanted at the time. One more thing, it might be strange to mention this now, but the original song title is "Clash on the Big Bridge," while the video title is "Crash on the Big Shoopuf," with "Clash" and "Crash" being different. This was actually just my mistake. At first, I thought about correcting it, but I either forgot or found it too troublesome, and eventually, I just left it as is. Fifteen years have passed since then. I have no intention of changing the title. Viewers might find it odd, but I will leave it as it is. Even when I look back at the video now, I can't deny that my editing skills were still quite crude and unpolished. However, I think it has a peculiar charm and humor that my current videos don't have. In other words, it's a typical MAD video.

My favorite scenes

0:00~0:08 I designed the intro this way to give the impression of having a lot of energy, even if it doesn't make much sense.

The funny scenes with Tidus and Wakka were not initially planned, but I suddenly got the idea to include them.

1:05~1:06 "Break through!" is one of Auron's lines that I really like because it's so cool.

That's all for now. Thank you for visiting. See you next time.

#ffx #ff10 #amv #gmv #ytpmv #otomad #remix #Youtube

2 notes · View notes

amplifyme · 6 months

Text

Writing Patterns

I was tagged by @randomfoggytiger. Thanks for always thinking of me! ❤️

Rules: list the first line of your last 10 (posted) fics and see if there's a pattern!

FYI: I've been posting lots of my writing mentor's fics on AO3 over the last year. I'm excluding those and listing only my own works.

Between the Shadow and the Soul: She didn’t know why she hadn’t realized it before. The evidence was right there in front of her, had been the whole time. It’s what she was paid to do, for Christ’s sake! Latch on to the details and make them all fit, make sense of the insensible. (BATB)

Life Songs, Book One: Come and Go: Diana stood it as long as she could before she wheeled around in her chair and pinned Vincent with a look. His eyes had been boring holes in her back for the last five minutes.

"What?" she snapped. (BATB)

Squirm: He doesn’t wait for an invitation to come in, just pushes through the open door and past her, coming to a stop in the casement opening between the living room and kitchen.

“Mulder, what are you doing? It’s almost midnight.” (TXF)

MN 1068 - 06: He’d said as he dropped a kiss on her brow: “I’m gonna grab a shower. My wallet’s on the coffee table if I’m not out before the food gets here.”

He wasn’t. So she answered the door and paid the kid, tipping him more generously than she knew Mulder would’ve. She gathered forks and paper towels and made it through the doorway into the living room before she lost her grip on his wallet. It fell open at her feet, spilling out the bills she’d haphazardly stuffed back into it. She emptied her hands and squatted to retrieve it. (TXF)

Promise: “New year’s resolutions?”

Mulder looks over at her with one of his sidelong, appraising glances. “Do I look like the type who makes resolutions?”

“Come on, Mulder. We’re stuck in this car on New Year’s Eve on what is most assuredly a dead-end stakeout all because you’re convinced that one Herman Jiménez is preparing to escort his family to a new home somewhere in the heavens, compliments of a spaceship steered by little green men. Humor me just this once and play along. And yes, I do think you’re the type to make resolutions.” (TXF)

A Necessary Evil: So it’s time to fess up. To lay bare the part of himself he’s not so proud of. Here goes: Fox Mulder is skilled at seduction. He always has been. From as far back as middle school, he’s known. He looks at himself in a mirror and sees only the flaws. The ridiculously large lower lip. The small triangular eyes. The undersized chin with not enough room between it and the aforementioned lip. The overly broad and large-scale nose. But for some reason beyond any logic, and put all together, those features have had teenaged girls, and then women, falling at his feet for as long as he can remember. It’s as simple as his attentive gaze aimed in their direction. (TXF)

Third Time's a Charm: He rolls over onto his side and finds her looking back at him in a mirrored position. They’re both still struggling to catch a deep breath. His bedroom smells of sheets a week past needing changed and just concluded sex. How does one describe that particular aroma? He thinks about it for a second and decides that mutual insanity fits pretty well right now. Folie au deux. (TXF)

Roghnaíonn Mé Tú: She doesn’t know why she has to say it now, five years after the fact. She’s heard it often enough in her head, her heart, on many occasions over those years. Sometimes as a reminder, sometimes a plea, even now and then in anger and carrying with it a desperate need to blame. But she’s never said it out loud. Not until now.

“You chose me,” she tells him. (TXF)

Gimme Shelter: They hide out in the woods behind the Strughold mine until the hit squad finally gives up and leaves in a great cloud of dust and skidding tires. A brief conversation follows, and they both agree that going back for the car would be a mistake. Mulder hadn’t stopped moving long enough to count their number when they’d piled out of their black vehicles with rifles in hand, and he figures they might have left one or two assassins behind. They aren’t willing to risk becoming easy pickings just for the convenience of four wheels and a quicker escape. Instead, they hike east until they come to the rural two-lane blacktop that’d brought them to the mine hours earlier. (TXF)

All That Our Senses Can Perceive: 1.) It starts with sight, doesn’t it? Unless we are born into blindness, it all comes in through the eyes first. We see, we process, we create visual memories; we integrate miniscule pieces into a larger whole.

Scully was young and full-cheeked the first time he’d laid eyes on her. Cute. With all the connotations that description carries. Mulder hadn’t ever been a fan of cute. He’d liked dark and mysterious; slightly dangerous. And look where that had gotten him. (TXF)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, yeah, so there's a definite pattern, pounded into my head by my previously mentioned mentor, the late, great Nan Dibble. In media res. Always start in the middle of the story. You can fill in the pertinent details as you go.

Once again, I've broken the rules and listed not only the first line, but the next few (or several) that follow it. Just feels more complete that way.

Also. I haven't posted a new fic since mid-October of last year. My muse hates me. 😢

I'm not going to tag anyone in particular. Play if you want to!

#writing patterns #about me #fanfic #txf #beauty and the beast 1987

2 notes · View notes

the2amrevolution · 1 year

Text

I think I've figured out some of the trailer. What it means for the album's content, idk, I'm not speculating on that, so if you're like "ah album spoilers," theres none of that here.

I Am Ground = Korean song-game where you introduce yourself one by one to a specific rhythm

Introduce themselves = Introduce their discography

Felix - The Sound

• Candy/lollipops = White Day videos

• Conductor = Band/Chans role in trailer

• Ghost print glove = Scars? Re-released on album

I.N - SKZ Replay

• Starts out on a pedestal

• Literally writes his name over "ground"

• In a heavenly setting

• All = Maknae on Top

Changbin - Maxident

• New York set decor = Maxident trailer

• "I'm a romantic" = Case 143

• Water scene = Chill

• No tmi given over the phone?

• Rebellion = Superboard?

• Poker night sticker on phone booth = reference to All In? Or just coincidence? Nothing that jumps out for Circus so 🤷‍♀️

Hyunjin - Circus

• 644 = 06/22/22, release date

• Big cat print = Circus animals

• Mannequin audience = Circus crowd

Han - Oddinary

• Train = train crossing sound in Oddinary trailer bgm

• Train becomes magical (old fashioned steam engine look like HP train) = Oddinary trailer was all pop culture references

• Train is green and red = main promo colors

• "this isn't it? then I won't do it" = "do you want to be oddinary?"

• "This [billboard example/career/success/history/discography] isn't what it is to be [oddinary/normal]? Then I dont want to be [oddinary/normal]." What the antecedents are for Han's sentence is deliberately vague.

Seungmin - Noeasy

• Drive in movie w/popcorn = seeing a summer blockbuster, noeasy trailer insp

• "Looks like I win" = Beat the sound monster

• Sitting in the shovel of a bulldozer with a backhoe = Domino lyrics, though also seen in GoLive trailer/Gods Menu

Chan - GoLive and InLife

• Clocks/metronome, anxious speed, chaotic sound = tortoise and hare, go生 also rapid increase in fame

• Bit of domino intro is heard as piano starts, but also in other members parts

• 5:88 not being a realistic time display, can have meaning of "twin flames" in numerology as well as a turning point and prosperity = God's Menu and Back Door paired plus God's Menu massive impact on their following/success

• Black and white pianos both played and lit on fire = Twin albums

• 0:58 = five star Michelin and 8 members

• Always viewing from either above or behind on stage not audience = Back Door

• Ends wearing mask = unit song Wow, maybe others from InLife also, idk, first shown on tour right before pandemic,

• Performs and bows to empty audience = couldn't tour or promo songs with live audience due to pandemic

Lee Know - SKZ 2020 and SKZ 2021

• Grimy, literally in the toilet = Negative emotions/uncertainty

• Suitcase = moving on

• Looking in mirror = insecurity, reflecting on past, also song Mirror

• Mouth wash = cleaning self of "bad tastes," refreshing ones self

• "I'm cute." = overcoming insecurities, self confidence

• Getting scanned by faceless security = Increased scrutiny from faceless public

• Attitude/eyeroll to security/baring (jeweled) teeth = "you think we can't succeed? That doesn't matter. We are succeeding."

End with all 8 - 5 Star

• Together having warm tones when separate they were cool/grey = best together

• Fireworks, walking down the side of a building covered in caution tape = "let's blow this place up"

• We know the lyrics "five star Michelin" were an error Han made, but most star rating systems are out of five. Its also their 5th year, and celebrating multiples of five is a big deal for our base 10 mathematics selves (math/history trivia: most cultures have always used base 10 systems because we have 10 fingers). An obvious thing, but still.

#skz #skz theories #stray kids #my og

18 notes · View notes

beccasafan · 2 years

Text

One Direction on Jeopardy!

2012-05-07: POP CULTURE You might stay "Up All Night" listening to this boy band heard here One Direction 2013-06-28: ROCK GROUP NAMES This "Up All Night" British boy band chose its name because it would sound good when announced on "The X Factor" One Direction 2013-07-30: MUSIC One Direction is Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson & this lad from Cheshire Harry Styles 2014-02-19: 21st CENTURY MUSIC "Apologize" if you get this Ryan Tedder band mixed up with One Direction One Republic 2014-05-22: POP MUSIC OF TODAY This British boy band gave us the immodestly titled "Best Song Ever" One Direction 2014-07-21: FASHION STARS The last name of this fashionable member of One Direction is a synonym for "fashions" Styles 2014-12-04: "N"TERTAINMENT First names in One Direction are Harry, Liam, Zayn, Louis & this one Niall 2015-06-15: NEW MUSICAL SUPERGROUPS Rage Against the Direction Rage Against the Machine & One Direction 2016-04-12: POP MUSIC In 2015 Zayn Malik officially quit this band One Direction 2016-09-12: "BEST" WISHES A lyric by One Direction reminisces, "And we danced all night to" this "the best song ever" 2016-10-26: MUSICAL ACTS In 2016 this end-of-the-alphabet refugee from One Direction debuted at No. 1 with his first solo album Zayn Malik 2016-11-09: POP CULTURE In 2016 this member of One Direction became a dad to a lad named Freddie Louis Tomlinson 2017-02-14: TIME TO PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER A song by them says, "The story of my life, I take her home, I drive all night to keep her warm" One Direction 2017-05-17: WOMEN OF MUSIC Nicknamed "T-Swizzle", she teamed with One Directioner Zayn Malik for "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" Taylor Swift 2018-02-06: ENTERTAINE"D" Harry Styles made his big-screen acting debut in this World War II-set film of 2017 Dunkirk 2018-04-06: THEIR BIGGEST BILLBOARD HITS "Best Song Ever" One Direction 2018-07-09: BOYS IN THE BAND Liam, Harry, Louis, Niall One Direction 2019-01-14: DRESSED ALIKE Back in 2013 Victoria Beckham & this "fashionable" One Direction member wore the same Burberry button-down shirt Harry Styles 2019-05-02: "FOR" A SONG Zayn Malik & Taylor Swift teamed up on this song from "Fifty Shades Darker" "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" 2019-06-10: "GOLD" RECORDS One Direction, Fitz & the Tantrums & Graham Parker & the Rumour have all recorded songs titled this "Fool's Gold" 2019-06-21: POP MUSIC Here's a "Sign Of The Times" -- he's a real Cheshire cat Harry Styles 2019-06-27: ON YOUTUBE Among the music videos spoofed on Shane Dawson's channel are One Direction's "Story Of My Life" & her "Wrecking Ball" Miley Cyrus 2020-04-10: MODERN MUSIC This member of One Direction had No. 1 solo albums with his self-titled solo debut & "Fine Line" Harry Styles 2020-04-29: BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS Named Top New Artist in 2017, Zayn was formerly a member of this group that won the award in 2013 One Direction 2021-05-18: PLAYING TODAY'S HITS "Adore You" was a post-boy band hit for this Brit Harry Styles 2021-11-30: A SWEET READ A Richard Brautigan post-apocalyptic novel title mentions this fruit's "Sugar", just like Harry Styles did in a hit song watermelon 2022-01-07: THEIR FIRST TOP 10 SOLO HIT "Pillowtalk" in 2016, by a former boy bander Zayn (Malik) 2022-09-20: ENTERTAIN "YOU" Harry Styles befriends a lonely fish in the video for this solo 2019 hit that says, "I'd walk through fire for you" "Adore You" 2022-11-15: PLAYING THE HITS OF 2022 "As It Was", a solo song by this Brit, took one direction to the top spot on the Hot 100 Styles

2022-12-05: A PACK OF LIES One Direction sang of these title 3-word fibs, "you like playing games" "Little White Lies"

#possible I missed some #I just searched for “One Direction” and each full name #except for Zayn #just his first name #and since you can only answer with the last name #might've missed some #but searching for just styles doesn't work well #so...

24 notes · View notes

itsuki-minamy · 11 months

Text

"AYAKA – SIDE STORIES 06": ESCAPE

TRANSLATION: NARU-KUN

* List of Chapters

(1)

Aka Ibuki's parents died when he was eight years old.

It was an accident.

On the night of the typhoon, the car his father was driving fell off the mountain road when he was returning home. Perhaps because of the shock of the accident he had no memory of that moment. Before he knew it, he was lying alone in a hospital bed.

According to the doctors, it was a miracle that he survived.

He heard from his aunt that the truth was different.

"It's my sister's will. Please prioritize prolonging his life."

Apparently that was his mother's will. His father died instantly. His mother was also told that he had died shortly after telling his aunt.

His aunt followed the will of his mother.

That's why Ibuki didn't die.

After being released from the hospital, his aunt took him in, but that didn't last long. After a month of waiting for Ibuki to recover physically and mentally, his aunt took him on a boat and sailed to an island in the south.

The name of the island is Ayaka Island. It was the first time he visited the place.

As soon as he arrived, his aunt headed to a deserted cafe in the old town.

There he met a man wearing a Hawaiian shirt with a really bad print. He is in his early twenties, but despite his youth, he has a strangely old and withered feel to him.

"Hello..."

The man stared at his aunt, smoking the pipe in his mouth and ruffling his strange, finely braided hair with his hands.

"He is neither a dog nor a cat. Don't say that lightly."

"I can't raise this child on my own. Not because of his qualifications. Also because of his environment."

"Then, why me?"

"There is no other suitable option."

"I'm not a random fortune teller either."

"I heard you're already taking care of someone."

"Is he originally from this island? It doesn't matter."

"Not one or two people will change."

"So he's neither a dog nor a cat."

Interactions between the adults went back and forth, like a conversation on the other end of the phone.

For starters, even though she is his aunt, he barely knows her. She is his mother's younger sister and she visited his house once or twice a year. That was the extent of her existence. He has never played with her and has never really talked to her. They only had a strange exchange once. He sensed that not only Ibuki, but also his father and his mother, who was her older sister, were overwhelmed by his aunt's presence.

This was probably due to his aunt's taciturn and gloomy personality, and also due to her unknown occupation.

However, the reason Ibuki is alive is because of his aunt's "business".

That's why... he actually wanted to live with his aunt. He also told his aunt, but she rejected nephew's request.

And she brought him here. She approached a man with a bad attitude sitting across from him at the table.

"I'm not a real "Myakutsugi". If I keep him on my side, things won't turn out well."

When he told her that, her aunt was as grim and expressionless as she always was. However, there was something beautiful about the way she sat in the chair, although she didn't seem worried. It's the same solid place where Ibuki's wishes were rejected.

"First of all, you'll probably be in trouble if you stay like this. From what I saw..."

The man looked down and glared at his aunt.

"You've made a lot of progress, right? Isn't this a good opportunity? Why don't you wash your feet?"

"It's not just me."

"Anyway, I'll give you a hand, okay?"

"It's useless. If you take risks, things will get out of control. This is the path I chose in the first place."

"Did you choose?"

"No. I had a choice. I made the decision."

The man took a deep breath and closed his eyes, groaning softly. His aunt kept her face like a mask and said nothing more.

The shop windows were open and the sunlight streaming in illuminated the tables. The ice cubes melted in the glass on the table in front of him, making a sound. He could hear the bubbling sound of cider. Ibuki listened attentively to the silence of the adults, staring at the small, playful bubbles in the glass.

Then, he suddenly looked up...

He noticed that the man was looking at him.

Their eyes met. There was sympathy in the man's eyes. Since his parents died, other adults... besides his aunt... have looked at him.

However, there seemed to be a depth in that man's eyes that he had never felt before.

He has a harsh but rich depth, just like the ocean that surrounds this island.

"Heh.", the man's mouth curved into a smile. He laughed. That alone was strangely attractive to him.

"I'm Yanagi."

"Eh?"

"Makoto Yanagi. What about you?"

"Ibuki Aka."

"Aka? That's another strange name."

His classmates had told him that many times, but that was the first time he had heard it from an adult he had just met. Furthermore, he was smiling arrogantly. He seemed congested, but for some reason he didn't feel any discomfort.

"You heard what we said, right? Your heartless aunt plans to leave you with me. Are you okay with that?"

It was a mocking tone, but he could understand that it was meant to ease Ibuki's tension. Then he nodded frankly.

His aunt said it was useless and Ibuki said the same. The only relative he knows is his aunt, and if she doesn't want him by her side, there is no other adult he can trust. For Ibuki, it doesn't matter if it's a stranger, a facility somewhere, or an ugly man in front of him.

Just one thing.

The man in front of him, who called himself Yanagi, had a special "meaning" to Ibuki.

"...You're also a "Myakutsugi", right?"

His aunt told him. Yanagi is a "companion" of his aunt.

After confirming that the Yanagi man nodded, he continued.

"Please. Please teach me."

That was Ibuki's only purpose at that moment.

Yanagi stared at him and then let out a sigh.

"Hey, do you know what a pulse connection is?"

"I don't know the details. But I..."

He looked at his aunt sitting next to him. Whether or not she noticed Ibuki's gaze, his aunt was still looking at Yanagi with a mask-like expression on her face.

Ibuki's life was saved by his aunt.

If he could be like his aunt...

At that time, if he were "Myakutsugi"...

It is possible that his father and mother had not died.

"I want to become "Myakutsugi"."

Ibuki shifted his gaze from his aunt to Yanagi and said with deep emotion.

Yanagi's eyes looking at him grew deeper.

That's when it happened.

"...Oh, perfect."

Yanagi suddenly muttered.

Then, a small white shadow gently slid across the table where the three of them were facing each other. He entered the store through an open window. Ibuki couldn't help but feel shocked.

An insect... no, that size he immediately thought it was a small bird, but they were both different. It's origami. For an unusually shaped paper airplane, it's oddly flimsy. It looked more like a cut-out piece of paper than origami. Best of all, it slid on the table and didn't fall. He continued to float above the table.

Ibuki's eyes widened, but Yanagi and his aunt didn't seem surprised either.

"Did you find it? Bring it to me."

He spoke to the floating origami. Ibuki didn't understand and looked at Yanagi and then at his aunt in surprise and doubt, but neither of them offered any explanation.

However, he suddenly understood. It's Yanagi. He is controlling that piece of paper with the power of "Myakutsugi".

"......"

After a while...

Garan.

The bell rang and the cafeteria door opened.

Then a breeze blew through the gap and the same piece of paper he saw slipped into the tent.

Then a boy entered the store following the piece of paper.

The person who entered was a boy about Ibuki's age. Although he was a child like him, he wore the Japanese clothes of a shrine priest.

The piece of paper flew through the air and headed towards Ibuki's table. The boy's gaze followed the movement of the paper and reached Yanagi. He then looked at his aunt, who was sitting with him, and then at Ibuki.

He seemed like an intelligent boy and had the grace of a "good-natured monk". He felt that the gap between the boy in the deserted cafeteria, dressed in Japanese clothing, and a child, highlights something like the boy's "elegance". He reflexively thought it was the exact opposite of him.

Separated by his parents, abandoned by his relatives and surrounded by a heavy atmosphere, he is a gloomy child who does not know what the future holds for him.

He is a pure and wise boy who wears a perfectly wrinkle-free suit and looks at him without the slightest hint of darkness in his eyes.

However, curiously, no feeling of inferiority arose. Maybe it was because the surprise of the piece of paper was still there, and maybe it was because he felt "out of place" at first. Before feeling miserable compared to his opponent, he thought, "What is this?".

A strange, hairy guy who appeared in the middle of a serious topic.

The imbalance of the situation is as if the god enshrined in a small shrine on the island suddenly showed his face in the human world.

"Haruaki. This way."

Yanagi called and the boy approached. After bowing slightly to Ibuki and the others, he asked Yanagi, "Master?", as if he was asking for an explanation.

Yanagi addressed Ibuki first, not the boy.

"Aka. This is Kurama Haruaki. Like you, he is my disciple and seeks to be a connection."

He was relieved. What his aunt had mentioned earlier in the conversation, "taking care of him alone", was probably referring to that child. This boy, who seems to be the exact opposite of him, has the same goal as him.

And...

"So, Haruaki. This is Aka Ibuki. From today, he will be my youngest disciple."

Hearing those simple words, not only Aka, but also the boy in front of him, couldn't help but look at his face.

The expression on the boy's face was one of surprise, confusion and anxiety. And a little hope for the future. A friendly curiosity towards Ibuki, who is the same age.

What about Aka? He wondered how he was looking at him now.

Yanagi smiled, showing his white teeth as the two fell silent due to the suddenness of the situation.

"Let's get along, okay?"

Beside him, he heard his aunt let out a small sigh of relief.

That day, Ibuki Aka met Kurama Haruaki and became Makoto Yanagi's apprentice.

It was the beginning of a new life with a new family.

After...

(2)

Seven years later.

The same smile from back then was in front of Ibuki's eyes. Inside a black frame. Ibuki just stared darkly at that smile that he would never return.

Five days have passed since Yanagi sacrificed himself to quell the fire dragon after the Shinoshima eruption.

Two days had passed since Yanagi's funeral.

(In the end, I...)

It has been seven years since he arrived on the island and seven years have passed since he received Yanagi's teachings. Ibuki worked hard on his training every day and the results of his training were imbued with him. This year he turns fifteen. Ibuki is now on the verge of connection.

But did those seven years really have any meaning?

Ibuki intended to connect like him to protect "his family". But the result is this. Ibuki also lost his "family". This unbearable loss shattered Ibuki's seven years.

His body was heavy. It was as if the flesh and bones had turned to mud. The pitch-black tar adhered to his entire body, eroding it and weighing on his heart. He even felt that his anger at his defeat was being crushed.

In the end, he was unable to protect him.

No, even if he had wanted to protect Yanagi, they couldn't even die together. Even gathering all his strength until the end.

"......"

Ibuki clenched his fists as if to fight the feeling of emptiness. He gritted his back teeth. The force rebelled against itself and his still scarred body groaned in pain. However, it really wasn't enough. He was sure that he deserved more intense pain. The pain was so great that it destroyed him.

However, no pain would be enough to drown out that crippling loss.

"...Aka-kun."

Ibuki turned around slowly when he heard the voice from behind.

Momoko Amamiya was standing there. Her complexion is the worst, but she keeps smiling. This person is always like this. Even when times are difficult or sad, she perseveres and gets through them with a calm smile on her face. She tries to get over it.

"Are you okay? You didn't get much sleep last night either, did you?"

"It's nothing... I'm fine."

"So, what about food? You haven't eaten anything since this morning, right? Shall I make you something simple?"

"No... I have no appetite."

Momoko's smile turned into a wry smile at Ibuki's empty voice.

"But... the wound hasn't healed yet. You need to nourish yourself a little."

"Such thing..."

What Momoko said was correct. She always carefully accumulates the most mundane and everyday things. She doesn't worry about it, but she doesn't hesitate, as she becomes the basis of her life. Only through that rich foundation created, people can advance. She understands it without any logic.

Momoko herself must be enduring a loss as profound as his. Still, she can care about others. Ibuki felt quite inferior to her strength.

Except that...

What is the meaning of nourishing yourself now?

There is no “future” he can move toward now.

Ibuki stayed silent and Momoko didn't force him further. She shifts her gaze from Ibuki to behind him. Ibuki turned to look at the deceased once more, hoping to be drawn in as well.

Makoto Yanagi.

It was exactly like the impression he had when they first met, that he was a careless guy. At the same time, he was also a "great hermit", worthy of admiration by the people of the island.

Strong, generous and bold. However, he was a mysterious man who also had small subtleties.

Ibuki's master. And, maybe... a second father.

He thought of him as some kind of monster that wouldn't move no matter what he did. It was a natural existence, as if it were part of this world, like the wind, water and sun.

He couldn't believe he wasn't there anymore.

"...I'm sure he'll be apologizing in the afterlife. He'll be exaggerating, saying it's hot, but he won't feel bad in the least..."

Momoko said jokingly. There was a slight tremor at the end of the sentence, but Ibuki pretended not to notice.

Makoto Yanagi is dead. He died.

Maybe... normally, it shouldn't have happened that way.

(Damn! It's my fault after all.)

He knew that the fire dragon's power was increasing. Yanagi also took precautions against that problem. It is true that the moment was terrible, but if there had been a little more time, it would have been possible to deal with the situation.

That little bit of time.

They couldn't prepare for even that small period of time.

He couldn't help his master.

What a shame.

"I..."

A series of melting thoughts welled up from the depths of his heart. A dizzying fever and chills shook his entire body.

(I should have stayed. Even if he had died as a result.)

When he thought of the relief he felt at that moment, he couldn't help but cry. At that moment, he would have given everything he had and lived his "life" to the fullest. There may have been some regret, but there must have been some pride.

But it was not suitable.

He left his master and retired.

And he will continue to live without the feeling of being "alive."

(Why? Why is this happening?)

So...

"...Aka."

The moment he heard that voice, it was as if the black tar that was eating him suddenly ignited and burst into flames. The feelings welling up from deep within his chest turned into anger like magma.

He looked back.

His brother was standing there, looking at him with a sad look.

His heart beat violently. The flow of blood seemed to press against his earlobes.

Still, the reason he didn't get angry right away was probably because Momoko was there.

"Haruaki-kun."

Momoko's voice had a slight hint of impatience. Although he didn't talk about the details, she must have guessed something from the way the two of them behaved when they returned from the island. They had grown up like true brothers, but an unusual rift had developed between them.

"......"

Ibuki took a step forward. As he passed by his brother.

"Come on."

He said quietly and continued without looking back.

After a moment, he realized that his brother was following him. Ibuki continued walking, trying with all his might to contain himself, who looked like he was about to explode.

"Ah, Aka-kun?"

Momoko called out to him from behind, but he ignored her and left. Even his brother didn't criticize Ibuki's attitude. He may have decided it would be better if it was just the two of them too. Without saying anything, Ibuki put on his shoes and walked out the door. His brother followed him in silence.

Without thinking, he walked around the house and out into the garden. Ibuki was in front, followed by his brother.

In fact, he was planning to move to a more remote location. But when Momoko disappeared, he couldn't take it anymore. Ibuki's body trembled and stopped. His brother also stopped, following his movements. Ibuki turned his entire body around him and the two looked at each other.

"......"

Kurama Haruaki, Ibuki's brother.

Kurama calmly accepted Ibuki's silent scolding gaze.

Kurama's complexion was pale and his expression dark. Compared to the face of his brother, Ibuki, he seemed to have aged suddenly. He wondered if it was since Yanagi died that he looked him in the face like that. Even when they recovered the body of his mentor and at his funeral, the two barely exchanged a glance.

And now...

Ibuki felt like he was going to lose himself with the anger bubbling inside of him. He could feel the negative emotions boiling and burning his mind and body.

"Ah..."

Stepping ahead of his brother who was about to call him, Ibuki spat out a sharp question.

"Why did you run away?"

Kurama's face stiffened.

+++++++++++

As Momoko had guessed, there was still a gap between the two of them at that moment that was dripping with blood. A sharp and icy crack where pain, anger and helplessness erupt.

Maybe the brothers were trying to make up for it. Ibuki still thinks there's no way he can do something like that, but maybe that's what he wanted to do at that moment.

Trying to heal the wounds, even a little. Look forward like Momoko.

Of course, he couldn't do that.

In fact, the gap widened.

For Ibuki, the conversation they had only confirmed that it was impossible to repair their relationship. It was clear that the two had separated.

So he left the island. He wouldn't say anything. He wouldn't leave anything behind.

Not that it was a guess. But, he could not stay on the island.

However, as soon as he left the island, he had an idea of where he should go. Or maybe he was remembering it unconsciously. A phrase that his master once told him. He listened to snippets of a conversation he had with a "girlfriend" who was "from the same industry" as if it were someone else's business.

It was like catching a cloud.

Still, Ibuki bet everything on that possibility without hesitation.

(3)

A Mitama floated in the air, emitting a faint light.

For young Ibuki, "it" he rarely saw existed in his daily life, like a butterfly or a spider. It wasn't until he was finally old enough that he realized that "it" was invisible to anyone but him.

When Ibuki found out, his mother told him not to tell anyone. However, Ibuki didn't think that being able to see "it" was anything special. There was nothing good about being able to see "it," and he had never had a bad experience because he could see "it." To young Ibuki, "it" was so obvious that he didn't feel like thinking deeply about it.

So, of course, he had no idea of the dangers such a "specialty" entailed.

"Help me!"

Behind a nearby shrine stretched a half-abandoned grove of trees.

What he saw that day was a little different than usual. It usually gave off a dim light, but that day it seemed cloudy for some reason. Seeing it made him feel disgusted. Then he threw a stone. It was a light feeling, like he was shooing it away. He never thought "it" was going to "fight back".

The murky light condensed and solidified, revealing a pair of creepy eyes. He attacked Ibuki, shaking with laughter.

He ran away desperately.

But "it" haunted him.

As he chased after Ibuki, "it" gradually grew larger, becoming more sinister and "disgusting" as he approached from behind. Ibuki almost stopped breathing from fear.

Still, he resisted with all his might.

"Go over there!"

He waved his arms and raised his voice.

At that moment, "it" suddenly stopped moving, but the situation only got worse. Due to the encouragement given to him, his eyes recognized Ibuki and pointed firmly.

"It" jumped and approached.

That would hit him.

Ibuki instinctively closed his eyes, but the pain and shock he had predicted did not come. On the contrary, he noticed that the "unpleasant feeling" he had felt suddenly vanished.

When he opened his eyes in surprise, he saw the back of an adult standing there, as if he was protecting Ibuki from "it".

It was his aunt. Just as Ibuki was shocked once again by "it", he fell to the ground on the other side of his aunt and melted as if he was boiling. Ibuki looked dumbfounded at the scene in front of him.

His aunt looked over her shoulder.

Then, she told him with the same cold look as always.

"You have talent. It's not good."

+++++++++++

It was raining a lot.

A woman dressed in black mourning stood in a corner of the cemetery, holding a black umbrella. The flowers she had offered lay wet from the rain on the grave in front of her.

Ibuki looked at the woman's back from a distance, compared it with the vague memory of her, and then walked out under the shade of a tree. There was no umbrella. Instead, he pulled the hood over his head.

The woman should have noticed him by now, but there was no noticeable reaction from her. Ibuki walked towards the woman in front of the grave, consciously trampling the gravel under his feet.

Silently, he stopped behind the woman.

The drizzle gently hit the woman's umbrella, wetting Ibuki's hood. The smell of plants melting in the rain tickled his nose.

(What should I say?)

Ibuki pondered as he looked at the woman's back.

"Long time no see, huh."

The woman opened her mouth first. After a few seconds of silence, Ibuki answered briefly: "Yes.".

"How old are you now?"

"Fifteen."

"Yes. It's been seven years since then."

The woman said as she slowly turned around.

She looked at Ibuki.

"You have grown."

"...Compared to before."

After all, he hasn't seen her since he became Yanagi's disciple. It is their first reunion since childhood. At the very least, it was natural that the figure had grown larger.

On the other hand, the woman in front of him had not changed at all from what he remembered. At least that's what he thought.

A pale face and lifeless eyes. She has an inorganic touch, with an exhausted expression. It's the same as when she invited Ibuki to Ayaka Island. It was as if time had stopped for her.

However, unlike when he was a child, Ibuki could now see things.

Tense but perfectly controlled vitality. She is sharp and hard, but also flexible. The woman in front of him possessed the "power" of a well-trained Japanese sword. She also has a dark "power" that causes the blade to become soaked in blood.

Ibuki unconsciously gasped at the cold touch. His body was naturally tense.

Yanagi's "companion".

Another person Ibuki knows.

(How should we talk?)

Ibuki was thinking more nervously than before. However, as if to relieve his stress, the woman turned her head and looked at the grave again.

The grave where Ibuki's parents are buried. These are the graves of her sister and her brother-in-law.

Today was the anniversary of their death.

"Do you come here every year?"

He asked before thinking about it. "Yes.", the aunt answered the question indifferently.

"Because it's a relationship."

"Relationship? You mean your immediate family?"

"That's true... but it's a little different. For me, my sister was the thread that connected me to the world she lived in."

"World?"

"Yes."

His aunt nodded slightly.

"A different world than the one I am in, a real world. It is because I am connected to that that I was able to avoid falling."

"Even after her death?"

"Life or death does not matter."

His aunt said flatly. There was no pressure from those words, but Ibuki still couldn't help but tremble.

"I'm definitely connected to that place. For people like me, that fact is important. I visit here once a year to confirm its importance."

He was aware that he probably didn't fully understand the meaning of his aunt's words, that she said that so calmly. Still, he felt that he could grasp the "weight" contained in her words. She dared to tell him that story and that was her intention.

In fact...

"It seems that Yanagi has died."

He assumed that meant the introduction was over. She got straight to the point.

As Ibuki trembled and prepared himself...

"But yes. It seems like that man didn't take any shortcuts. It was the right decision to leave you there."

"What do you mean?"

"Now you can stand on your own."

That was a surprising evaluation and he had to admit that it was an evaluation that went against his expectations. Once again, Ibuki realized that he wanted to be looked down upon as an immature chick instead of treated as a full-fledged person.

Because once they recognize you, you can't trust them anymore.

He pressed his lips tightly. Once again, he was made aware of his own weakness and complacency.

Her words and actions were probably based on reading Ibuki's intentions when he came to meet her. However, he couldn't go back there. He had to hold on to that, even though it was ugly.

"Please."

Ibuki exhaled from all over his body.

As if he wanted to throw himself to the ground, he fell to his knees and prostrated himself.

"Please make me your disciple. I want you to start from scratch!"

The mud soaked his knees and the rain wet his back.

Inadvertently...

"You said a long time ago that I have a talent. Then you will be able to bring out that talent. Any method is fine. It doesn't have to be the right path. Even if I stray from the path!"

A long, heavy silence followed.

Only the rain was pouring down, severely chilling Ibuki's body.

After...

"Why?"

Her aunt asked briefly.

Ibuki rested his forehead on the ground.

"I want revenge on my master's enemy! I don't want to lose anyone else. I want the "power" to do it!"

He appealed with all his heart.

At that moment, it seemed as if the life line flowing beneath the earth trembled slightly.

The silence returned.

After...

''Even if you go off the path...''

His aunt murmured. Even though the few lines she said were in the same voice as before, it sounded like some kind of crazy emotion was coming out of her.

"It seems you've heard from Yanagi."

"...There aren't too many details."

"Still, you know that, right? That I am a user of evil methods."

"Yes."

"And you came to me?"

"That's all."

Ibuki answered clearly.

His aunt took a deep breath.

Her voice was somewhat hoarse, as if she had suddenly aged.

"...Moron."

(There is no doubt. I am stupid. Still, I cannot choose another path.)

He couldn't choose.

That day, Aka Ibuki became a disciple of his second master in his life.

(4)

"The important thing is harmony."

Ibuki nodded tentatively in response to his brother's explanation, not really understanding.

It's been half a month since he went to the island, he separated from his aunt and became Yanagi's apprentice. They had already met with the Amamiya family, where they were staying, and Sanji Inou, who was a friend of Yanagi, took care of all the arrangements. Ibuki is already a resident of Ayaka Island. Legally, at least.

However, he did not feel that he fit in on this idyllic island that he visited for the first time. In fact, he makes her realize how foreign he is.

"Ah. Look! The flow of life is very rich on this island, right?"

As his older brother said, "that thing" was common on this island. Additionally, they are all a little larger than those seen on the mainland. This fact was undoubtedly part of the wealth his brother was talking about, but Ibuki's honest impression was that there were a lot of insects in the field and they were huge.

Apparently, on this island, "it" is called "Mitama".

"...I see. Now that I understand things like harmony and abundance, please tell me more about the techniques. If I'm going to be a connection, it won't work unless I can use jutsu."

Ibuki grumbled, feeling self-conscious.

To put it in a childish way, to Ibuki, a pulse connection is a "wizard". And a magician is a magician because he can use "magic". A wizard who can't use magic is like a fish who can't swim. No, first of all, literally speaking, a person who cannot use magic is not a "wizard".

And the brother in front of him, who is only a year older than him, is certainly capable of using magic.

He was later told that the mysterious pieces of paper floating in the air that he saw when he met them were apparently manipulated by his brother. This boy already masters the same connection technique as Yanagi and his aunt.

However, when his brother heard Ibuki's hurried murmurs, he shook his head as if he had his way.

"No, Ibuki-kun. The most important thing for a pulse connector is not to manipulate the technique, but to feel the movement of the vital pulse and vital energy. To become one with nature, or, rather, to observe the life form. I mean, the art of connection is just a secondary aspect of that style."

His brother gave him a pompous lecture with a clear and proud expression on his face. It's been half a month since they met, but he already had a good idea of his brother's personality. He is an intelligent, classy and somehow elegant "good monk", just like the impression he had when he first met him. At the same time, he was a "weird guy" who was quite out of place.

If the two were classmates, it would probably be for the other's sake to force him to become the troublesome class president. He was sure he would be happy to do it too.

However, when he becomes "brother", he is quite annoying.

"...Haruaki."

Yanagi has also confirmed that there is no need to hold back. Ibuki shouted his brother Kurama's name with a clear hint of displeasure, even though they still called each other by their last name.

"I already completely understand your connection theory. But I came here to learn the technique. Both you and my master can use it, but I am the only one who still can't use it. I don't like that. I can't forgive myself for being the only one who seems to be "different"."

"That's because Ibuki-kun just became an apprentice."

"It's Aka."

"Eh?"

"Come on, Aka, it's okay."

He didn't want to pressure him, but his voice came out naturally. Kurama looked confused. He wanted to get along with him, but it wasn't working. That was his face.

Ibuki continued speaking, realizing that the cause of this was not Kurama but himself.

"I also heard something similar to what you are saying from my master. I understand that this way of thinking is the basis of connection and that it is important. I suppose it is a philosophy of connection or a way of thinking. But with that said, I want to go there as soon as possible."

Now that Ibuki has lost his parents and left where he lived, the only people he turns to are the feelings of being "connected". And even before that thought was even vague, Ibuki felt like he was wasting his time without even having his feet on the ground. That feeling also led to frustration.

He wanted to "feel" it as soon as possible. To feel that he was not wrong, to feel that this is right and to be able to accept the current situation.

"...Please, Haruaki."

Kurama also seemed to sense Ibuki's frustration. His older brother withdrew his usual smile and looked at Ibuki with a serious look. Then, after some hesitation, he made up his mind and nodded.

Face Ibuki head on and slowly close the distance.

"Close your eyes."

"Eh?"

"Alright."

Kurama spoke with a serious tone. Ibuki suppressed the resistance that he had suddenly learned and closed his eyes as he told him.

"Breathe deeply, relax your body and try to relax."

Following Kurama's words, he only opened one eye. Kurama, who was standing right in front of him, had both eyes closed. Likewise, he took a deep breath and relaxed, concentrating slowly and deeply. Ibuki quickly closed his eyes and took a deep breath, sharpening his awareness.

Concentration.

Ibuki's thoughts disappeared.

"Can you feel the movement of the life force flowing through you?"

"Somehow."

"Focus on the flow."

"I'm doing it..."

"More. Like seeing it with your eyes, touching it with your hands, feeling it."

"......"

He thought it was ridiculous.

However, he quickly discarded the ridicule and became serious.

He seriously concentrated from the bottom of his heart to feel the vitality. At a level that he didn't even notice on a daily basis. He chased the sensations that he had somehow always felt, as if he were seeing them with his eyes or touching them with his hands.

The vitality within him.

Kurama's vitality was right next to him.

Besides...

"Oh, the Mitama came. Do you understand?"

"......!"

He understood it.

His eyes remained closed. They haven't even touched his body. However... the Mitamas were at their side.

Two... no, there were even more. Three bodies, four bodies and more. There are many different ones, eleven in total. Floating in the air, as if emerging from the ground, a total of eleven Mitamas approached and gently surrounded the two of them. He could clearly feel their presence without seeing them with his eyes or even touching them with his hands. Not only their existence, but also the curiosity that the Mitamas have towards them.

Recognition.

That fact gave him goosebumps with excitement.

"...Okay. So, while we maintain the current state, let's take our senses "outside". "Down" would be good. Look further down, under your feet. Do you recognize it?"

Recognize. There was something there.

Far below the ground he walked on.

Something vast, like the ocean, shimmered and flowed underground. A mysterious band of light that is both dazzling and vague at the same time. Vast, secret, solemn and beautiful. Countless... swarms of Mitamas, as many as stars, are born like bubbles and are devoured again.

The things that make up the world cannot be seen with the naked eye, but they are definitely there.

The life line.

Just looking at it made him feel like he was being sucked in.

Ibuki was...

(Wah...)

He screamed and stumbled, feeling like he was drowning. He clung desperately to whatever his hand suddenly touched.

Ibuki was about to fall when something gently covered the hand he was holding himself with.

"Touching, pulling and connecting with that thing is what connects us to our pulse."

Before he knew it, Ibuki opened his eyes, which should have been closed. His back was broken and he clung to his brother, grabbing the chest area of his clothing with both hands.

Kurama lightly placed his palm over the hand he was holding on to.

Kurama was silently looking at Ibuki with his usual smile on his face. Ibuki gasped, looked at Kurama, came to his senses, and let go of his hand.

The feeling he had just before disappeared.

However, the "real feeling" remained.

The "real feeling" that he had definitely come into contact with something bigger than he wanted, but far beyond him.

"I'm sure you can do better if you practice..."

Kurama said shyly and looked at Ibuki.

"What do you think, Aka?"

He didn't seem proud and he didn't even seem like he was trying to react. It was a simple, natural question with no other intentions.

Ibuki took a deep breath.

His body was full, but his mind was blank. He had no time to decorate it nor energy to protect himself.

Just openly, but with a serious face...

"I'm hungry."

Kurama smiled widely and nodded.

"I agree."

+++++++++++

A moonlit night in the mountains, in the middle of nowhere.

Ibuki stared at "it" with an icy gaze as it laughed silently. The bulging eyeball in the center of "it" looked at Ibuki with amusement.

Ibuki now knows the familiar name of "it".

Aramitama.

"Uh, "exterminate" the core without damaging it."

Ibuki nodded slightly without turning around as his master ordered him from behind.

There is a power that flows beneath the earth and is the source of life.

Yanagi has that power, which goes by various names around the world... and his aunt also called it "the life line". It is said that all life originates there and returns there after death. He doesn't know the truth and he doesn't need to know it. What matters is the fact that it is about "power".

Pulse connection is a technique that uses that "power", the vital energy that flows through the veins of life.

Ibuki crossed his arms and fingers to form a seal. Although the movements were Yanagi style, his aunt, who became the new master, did not try to change her disciple's movements to her own style. That's because his "true strength" isn't there.

"Man, earth and sky!"

Ibuki chanted a curse and controlled the life force within himself. Naturally, the essence of life also flows through Ibuki. However, it is not enough to have his own vitality. Therefore, the pulse connector uses his own life force as a priming source, pumping life force from the life line flowing at the bottom of the earth. This is how he makes use of the life force of his life line.

However, when Ibuki used the technique outside the island, he realized once again how blessed Ayaka Island had been with the blessings of life. On the continent, the flow of life is deep and fine. That is why a more severe control of power is necessary.

The Aramitama approached Ibuki relentlessly, regardless of Ibuki's circumstances. He still didn't have enough vitality. Ibuki evaded the Aramitama's charge by rolling.

(Damn!)

It was as if he had returned immediately after becoming Yanagi's apprentice. However, the new master did not give any advice to the undecided disciple. She was just watching him.

No, or maybe she was just watching. Whether Ibuki is injured or not, there is no guarantee that his aunt will help him.

But that was fine.

A trusting heart becomes sweet. Pampering takes away strength.

"Man, earth and sky!"

Ibuki reassembled the technique once more.

The lifeblood that flows underground sometimes rises to the surface and bursts out of the surface. When the life force that has left the life line acquires a certain quantity and density, it takes a form called Mitama. Ibuki has seen the mysterious sea moon swimming in the air since he was a child. Those who have the talent to do so cannot see it with the naked eye and are basically useless and harmless, like insects.

However, the life force that constitutes the Mitama sometimes becomes "stagnant" due to the influence of the outside world. When all their vitality stagnates and becomes clouded, the Mitama strengthen their own existence and begin to attack things that are sources of influence from the outside world: people.

Like that Aramitama right in front of him.

(Next, decide!)

With a strong light in his eyes, Ibuki completed his technique. Life pulsated and moved the atmosphere. A whirlwind occurred that gained momentum in the blink of an eye. Furthermore, the life energy that created the whirlwind condensed and converged, turning into a sharp blade.

Countless swords slashed at the Aramitama. The Aramitama let out a voice that could not be called a scream or laughter as it broke into pieces and crumbled.

Finally, only the center eyeball, the core of the Aramitama, remained in the air. However, the moment Ibuki relaxed his mouth, the last sword grazed their eyeball.

"Ah..."

He couldn't help but exclaim. But it was too late. The wound caused by the blade spread rapidly and the eyeball, like the rest of his body, collapsed and disappeared.

(Damn.)

Ibuki gritted his back teeth. His aunt's instructions were not to damage the core. And the Aramitama that just disappeared before his eyes was the third Aramitama of the night.

He has done it many times with the Aramitama. Even if the individual was much more powerful than the current one, he was confident that he could purify it on his own. That's what it seemed like.

Neither the unfavorable conditions of being outside the island nor the irregular fighting style of leaving behind only core can be used as an excuse. That result is nothing more than proof of Ibuki's immaturity. The feelings of worthlessness that he had been carrying since losing Yanagi were finally weighing heavily on him.

However, even after the disciple's third failure, the aunt's expression did not change.

With the same calm voice as the two previous times...

"One more time."

She said briefly.

Then, his aunt raised her right hand slightly and gently extended her index finger.

Then, she murmured a spell into her mouth.

In the dark forest deep in the mountains, his aunt's fingers were white as if they were glowing faintly in the moonlight.

As if attracted by the whiteness, a new Mitama emerged from somewhere in the forest.

The Mitama floated and approached his aunt without hesitation.

Like a dragonfly, he perched on the tip of her outstretched finger. Then, after shaking his body, he began to stagnate and become cloudy. At the same time, he expanded and became more sinister. Ibuki tensed and paled even though he was already getting used to the sight.

Finally, the Mitama's appearance changed drastically, the center of it opened and an eyeball appeared from within. From Mitama to Aramitama. It's his aunt's technique. Deliberately contaminating one's vitality was an act considered taboo in Yanagi's teachings.

"Exterminate it without damaging the core."

His aunt's voice sounded cold.

His aunt pointed her index finger at Ibuki. The Aramitama was ejected and jumped into the air, expressing distorted joy. Ibuki shook off the fear of his family, not the fear of Aramitama, but the fear of taboos, and focused on the fourth battle.

This time he was successful.

The Aramitama's body disappeared and only the eyeballs and cores that remained fell to the ground.

Leaving Ibuki, who was breathing heavily, his aunt silently approached the core and gently picked it up, as if she were picking a wildflower.

She moved directly in front of Ibuki.

"Hand."

He was salivating. Ibuki didn't want to admit it, but he extended his hand in a shy gesture. His aunt gave Ibuki the core she had collected.

Ibuki's gaze was fixed on his own hands.

He couldn't immediately describe the sensation that arose from his palm. It's raw but fake, slimy but sharp. However, he felt as if he was throbbing slightly. He is dirty, scary and stirs up negative emotions. At the same time, he was brutal, domineering and destructive.

The "power" of the Aramitama was still very present.

"It is diluted to the limit. In my opinion, there is no problem with its constitution. However, it is still not easy."

The rather modest warning sent a shiver down Ibuki's spine.

If it is painful, he will endure it. However, it was difficult to shake the physiological reluctance to do something even more unforgivable than the taboo his aunt had shown him.

If what he was about to do was a legitimate connection, for example, to Yanagi, it must be an unforgivable act. Ibuki himself would have hated him just a few weeks ago.

But now...

In front of Ibuki's eyes, in the palms of his hands, a certain "power" crouched in a terrifying shape.

In search of that "power", Ibuki left the island and the people who lived there.

He deviated.

Even if he deviates from the right path...

"Please prepare for the next thing."

"The next?"

"It looks like a big dining room."

Ibuki forced a smile and raised the core of the Aramitama above his head. He grabbed it with the fingers of both hands and crushed it with all his strength. The core collapsed and the thick contents spilled onto Ibuki's face. Ibuki opened his mouth wide to accept it and swallowed it.

It looked like a suicide attack.

During Ibuki's childhood, he followed in Yanagi's footsteps.

(5)

The season has arrived when it is cold on the island.

While sweeping the shrine grounds, Kurama stopped for a moment to look at the trees. Then, he suddenly thought of the passage of time.

The smell of the air was changing. Also the appearance of the trees. The pulsation of vitality.

Coming soon...

"...It is winter."

The flow of time never stops. He may not notice it right away, but changes occur day by day.

It does not matter what happens.

For example, even if a younger master or disciple disappears.

Kurama was reconsidering that obvious thing.

"He said he was going to the mainland. Maybe he doesn't want to be on this island without Yanagi-sensei right now."

Momoko said it. She also said: "If that's the case, it's okay.".

However, Kurama felt differently. He wouldn't say that Momoko didn't feel the same way, but for that reason alone, he couldn't believe that his younger brother was leaving the island.

He never runs away. Even now he felt that he left the island to move forward.

The youngest disciple left the island without saying anything. After that, Momoko received a letter where he told her not to worry, but she hasn't been able to contact him.

"I'll let him do what he wants for now."

Inou said it. Even as he said that, he seems to be working behind the scenes to at least try to discover his whereabouts. Now that Yanagi has passed away, he volunteered to serve as legal guardian for Kurama, Ibuki, and the others. Even Kurama couldn't oppose Inou's meticulous attitude of watching over him.

Just when...

"I wonder if this is okay."

He didn't know it. And there was no one left to tell him the answer.

Kurama stared at the trees as they prepared for winter.

After that, he went back to cleaning the temple grounds.

+++++++++++

"Look. It's burned."

"You, again... you just started a fire without permission and your master scolded you."

"What? You don't need it?"

"I did not say that."

"In that case, look."

"God..."

Kurama stopped sweeping the ground and turned to Ibuki with an angry look on his face. However, his angry face quickly turned into a bitter smile, and by the time he reached Ibuki's side, squatting in front of the remains of the bonfire, he had returned to his usual kind face.

"Yes."

Ibuki said, crouching down as he handed her the baked potato.

The Kurama who received that was...

"Hot!"

"Idiot. It's freshly baked. Don't hold it with your bare hands."

"Because you're... ah, it's floating in the wind, right? You're very skilled."

"This way it cools down faster."

"You use jutsu for stupid things..."

"I put out the fire with jutsu and I also use jutsu to clean up the aftermath. This is what I practice every day."

At the younger disciple's words, Kurama smiled once again and said, "Yes, yes.". Then, after making a hand seal, he recited a short spell, awakened a small kamaitachi, and peeled the skin off a baked potato as if he were using a knife.

Ibuki, who had been proud of his brother's sophisticated techniques, adopted a serious expression. Seeing the slightly regretful expression on his face, Kurama smiled and asked, "What do you think?".

"As always, you're good with that jutsu."

"Because I have the basics. Unlike someone who just wants to do practical things."

"What you are about to eat is a product of that application."

"I see. Thank you, Aka."

Kurama obediently thanked him and sat next to Ibuki. Ibuki, perhaps at the right moment, grabbed a baked potato and broke it in two.

When they both took a bite at the same time, satisfied smiles appeared on both of their faces.

"What do you think of this roast?"

"Raise your arms, Aka. You're a fully-fledged pulse connector now."

"Oh, I got my brother's approval. However, my goal is not to be a "full-fledged" person, but to be in the same league as the "strongest"."

"You don't need strength to run a roast potato shop."

"It's not a roast potato shop. I mean, why would I have a roast potato shop?"

Ibuki glanced at his brother, who still seemed a little out of place.

Meanwhile, Kurama was smiling and stuffing his face with baked potato.

"Come to think of it, Aka. Is this something Momoko-san and Jingi will share?"

"They can't miss it."

"What about the master?"

"......"

Ibuki was speechless. Originally, since he had been scolded for starting a fire earlier, he subconsciously intended to keep it a secret from Yanagi.

However, apart from Momoko, he did not believe that young Jingi was capable of keeping a secret.

Kurama seemed to be having fun somehow.

"The previous approval is on hold. If my master finds out that I don't have enough, he will definitely punish me."

"...In other words, we don't have to find out. Change of plan. Let's eat it all ourselves."

"Isn't that what it means to be persistent?"

"So make sure you don't reveal it. I'm telling you, since you ate it, you're an accomplice, Haruaki."

"Let's do this. Give the two remaining roast potatoes to Momoko-san and ask her to serve them for dinner."

"So, are you going to share the two pieces with everyone?"

"I'm going to use it as a cooking ingredient. Momoko-san will be happy, right?"

"Oh, I see..."

"Maybe some baked potatoes would be nice. Or melt butter and sprinkle with salt..."

"You're so brilliant, Haruaki! That's why you're my master's best disciple."

"Hehe. Harmony is important in everything."

"In that case, let's test the potatoes to make sure they are cooked properly."

"That's right. It's difficult if it's half-baked."

They both laughed as they finished the baked potato.

Then, when Yanagi saw the potatoes lined up for dinner, he looked at the two disciples of his in front of Momoko, who was praising the person who provided the ingredients.

Then, without saying a word, he sat down at the table, smiling bitterly at the two strangers.

#ayaka #ibuki aka #kurama haruaki #jingi sagawa #amamiya momoko #yanagi yukito #yanagi makoto #sanji inou

3 notes · View notes

walkingstackofbooks · 1 year

Text

DS9 3x25 Facets thoughts (I’m re-watching, so beware spoilers for future episodes!)

(06/06/2023)

I love Nog's determination to join Starfleet, he really is putting his all into it, and good for him.

"Why can't you take after your friend here? He knows enough to stay out of Starfleet. Even a human can see that there are a lot more profitable opportunities out there for a young man with ambition." "Uncle, he wants to be a writer. There's no profit in that." XD yep Quark's argument definitely backfired there - surely he knows humans work for enjoyment, not profit!

"I've noticed they've [Jadzia and Leeta] been spending quite a bit of time together." Oh I can really see them being excellent friends, I wanna read more about Leeta&Jadzia...

Oh I've just realised what episode this is - hell yeah! Definitely looking forward to seeing this again!

"If you don't mind... I'd like to borrow your bodies for a few hours." I'm sure they've all heard of stranger things, but also That is Quite The Request to just come out with.

Leeta being the one person super informed about the Trill is everything - and Julian looks at her so admiringly, it's sweet :3

The way Kira says yes is somehow so intimate, I can't with the way she smiles at Jadzia.

Ughh, I HATE oomax being used to force Quark into doing things, at any time, it's just gross - but especially here, when he's being asked to do something uncomfortable with his body but is expected to agree straight away without being given thinking time.

The special effects are so weird - the memories glow?

"I was one of the first women to serve as a council member. When I started out, I talked with my hands a lot. Lots of emphatic gesturing. I discovered some of my male colleagues were imitating of me, so I started to do this." It's always strange but interesting to see alien societies have the exact same problems as Earth - though for Trill, this was in the mid-late 2100s, so (god I hope!) long after women were treated equally on Earth. I'm curious now about how Trill society treated joined women whose symbionts had lived in male hosts, or if they once had a strict gender binary that meant symbionts were only passed down in same-gender lines?

"It's so strange. It's like you really are Lela." Actually I had completely forgotten it was Kira's body too - Nana Visitor is an incredible actress!

I love how tenderly Shimerman is acting as Audrid - he isn't playing this for laughs.

I cannot take Torias' American accent seriously I'm sorry XD I can't tell if it's believable or not but at the very least it sounds wrong coming out of Julian's mouth!

The music and Sisko's soft voice... Chills

"I think that's enough of Joran for now." And you just believed him, Jadzia? That didn't even SOUND like Sisko!

I do love it when there's a scene and someone's head just pokes around a corner.

Rom's bumbling about is very endearing no matter what Quark says

Rom ordering a uniform! So cute!

Odo kissing Quark on the forehead! Odo saying "Did I ever mention you're a magnificent scoundrel?" WELL THEN

This Curzon/Odo thing is quite a lot of fun though.

"He's right, you know. And it's not fair. Starfleet has no idea who it's passing up. Nog, you would have made a good officer." Quark! That's so sweet?

"Yes, but the truth is, I felt sorry for you." FUCK YOU CURZON

QUARK YOU DID WHAT?!!! THAT'S WHY YOU WERE SO NICE TO HIM EARLIER?? YOU'RE THE WORST!!!

"And if you ever do anything to hurt Nog again, I'll burn the bar to the ground." "You wouldn't dare." "Oh yes I would. My son's happiness is more important to me than anything, even latinum." Rom is just so good. (Also, makes me think of when Angelica sings, "I love my sister more than anything in this life, I will choose her happiness over mine, every time!" in Hamilton.)

He's definitely far more Curzon than Odo imo - he's got Odo's mannerisms but Curzon's enjoyment of life and personality.

"You can't intimidate me, Curzon. And I'm not a little girl anymore." YOU TELL HIM, JADZIA

The music.. Are we supposed to feel sorry for Curzon about his revelation he loved her? Because nope. No.

I love how we get to see Julian and Miles playing darts and Sisko, Kira and Jake having dinner together just cos. That scene could have started with any generic Quark's bar shot but it didn't :3

ROM IS SO SWEET.

Everyone's fond smiles <3

Nog it's too :3333 "I know I haven't earned the right to wear it yet, but my father got it for me." He's obviously a little uncomfortable knowing he shouldn't be in uniform yet but he still wears it to make his father happy <3

"It just occurred to me. As soon as that kid graduates from the Academy, I'm going to have to call him sir." I love how O'Brien says this with fond amusement.

"What can I get you, Nog?" "A root beer. It's an Earth drink. Something they serve at the Academy." "A root beer. This is the end of Ferengi civilization." Always so dramatic, Quark.

#DS9 3x25 #DS9 Facets #andi watches ds9 #WSB

3 notes · View notes

truly-morgan · 1 year

Text

[cuckJade brothers]

ChengXian | Mo Dao Zu Shi Modern AU 10-06-2021

[#chengxian feat. xicheng and wangxian]

We often see cuckji, but what about cuckjade twin? Both brothers end up being clueless cuck at first, until they realise chengxian aren't just friends again.

Like, they finally reunite after /years/ apart and spark old thing.

maybe chengxian has a little something going on already, dancing around each other for years as they are teens. yet they still are each other's first kiss (they argued who kissed better), experimented with each other (out of curiosity of how someone else would feel). they had /something/ going on despite never admitting to loving each other more than what was expected of them.

They were still each other most trusted and cherished person.

then wwx was gone for about 13-15 years to keep his family away from the big problems he got himself into.

Maybe he's gone at first to try and repay a debt he owns to the wens, hides and runs from jc for 3 years until he just disappears from the earth surface. he actually ends up in prison for like, 7-9 years for some crime he ended up committing to finish paying his debt, hence completely losing tie with anyone and making him basically disappear.

when he's finally out of prison wwx doesn't know how to contact anyone (after all, it has been 7-9 years), but he's also scared to even /try/ contacting jc. What would he say? Can he show his face after what he did? What if jc wouldn't want a criminal?

too many doubts and too many things he is still processing from the past 10-12 past years. He lives by jumping from odd job to odd job until one day he stumbles onto lwj (he did try running away but he was not fast enough against lwj). This is a bit weird and awkward, especially since the last times they met was in some of his worst time and the very last time had been a huge argument (and three days later he was arrested).

but lwj is understanding and helps him get back on his feet. they grow closer over that and ends up playing family (wwx is surprised when he learns that baby a-yuan has been with lwj all this time, but happy to know he was safe).

He's nearly a "stay at home wife", trying to find a job he can do well and without being kicked out.

As for jc, when wwx suddenly disappear after a fight they had about wwx refusing to tell him what kind of problems he got himself into.

Sure, he did refuse to contact him for a while because he was angry, but then he got anxious when wwx wouldn't reply to him.

only once did wwx replied to his call, sounding so tired, jc had never heard him like this. All he manages to get is that he /cannot/ look for wwx because it's dangerous, but that wwx doesn't hate him. ("I could never hate my chengcheng" he is told, the chuckle sounding genuine and a bit more alive).

but he still tries to chase wwx, sometimes hears snippet and hints, but he seemingly always misses him by little. Lwj that traitor would never tell him, but he /know/ the man has had contact with wwx (it does sour they relationship, how can he refuse to tell him where to find wwx?)

then suddenly nothing, even lwj looks has though he had lost everything and it only made jc gut drop, assuming the worst.

Then his family got into a deadly accident.

lxc was the one to help him all this time, slowly gaining trust from jc, helping him slowly pick up all the broken pieces, helping him with jl.

He never forces his feelings on jc (he can pine until he dies if needed, he just wanna be by jc side). It does take years before jc is steady on his feet again, jl his new reason to actually keep on living without giving up ("I have someone needing me, I cannot let my only family alone"). in these 10-12 years he warms up to lxc, slowly letting him in his heart until he allows himself to actually love again and let lxc take care of him fully.

Stability and a loving family are something he needs and lxc is more than happy to give him this.

Then the big reunion does need to happy, wwx somehow knew it was bound to happen, but he would never have thought it would happen the way it did.

of course, he learned about jc dating lxc (which did hurt his heart a bit, he could never let go of jc fully)., but he decided to stay hidden, still unsure how to meet him (even more now that he had been out of prison for /3/ years and never contacted him).

but it is a bit hard when they move to the same city as xicheng and that the juniors are all good friends.

Of course, lsz friends are over often, which means wwx has to deal with xicheng kids. He sure likes them, but it often makes him nervous. Have they told jc about him? Or is he just lwj's boyfriend and lsz new dad? He assumes not, otherwise, he feels like jc would surely have made a move.

and make a move he does.

when jl is on the phone with jc once at wangxian house, jc hears wwx talking and he also hears oyz calling out to him. He was so shocked that he nearly drop his phone, before asking jl to repeat what oyz just said. but he did hear well, wwx was /back/. He was back, safe and /close/. Why didn't he know?

in no time he rushes to where the juniors are hanging out, forgetting about his manner and he opens the door and enters to see wwx cooking for them. they both freeze when they see each other and wwx looks like a deer caught in headlight. this was jc.

This was jc in his house and look angry and about to cry.

he feels like running away, he is /not/ prepared.

but he doesn't and the atmosphere suddenly gets tense and filled with many emotions. jl and lsz are the first to get it, suddenly suggesting going out to get some snack for their movie night (jl quickly shut down ljy when he tries to point out they already did that).

then it shuangjie time, very emotional, maybe a bit of screaming, blaming and apologies, lot of crying too.

by the time the juniors come back (3 hours later), they are now talking at the table, eyes red a puffy, voices still a bit hoars.

they have /a lot/ to talk about, but right now is not the time. right now was the time for letting out all the negative, letting out all the bad accumulated over the past decade and a half. It was also the time for wwx to apologise for being missing like this, for not telling jc. only a couple of days later do they take a day to go over the past decade and a half, wwx finally telling all that had happened, not wanting to hide from jc anymore (plus, the danger has been taken care of when he was in jail).

of course, jc doesn't like hearing he went to jail, but the relief of knowing that /now/ he is alright and good is stronger.

Then wwx learns about all that has happened when he was gone and he wishes he could have been there. He regrets not finding another way, even though he isn't sure how he would have found a way. He just wishes he could have been by jc side when their family died like this,m leaving him all alone with jl.

it takes some time, but they do sorts out everything together, slowly working on what they missed, working to catch up.

Soon it's pretty evident to them that the love they had for each other and that they thought was gone (after all, they were genuinely happy with lxc and lwj) it's clear that finally being back next to each other is helping greatly for both of them.

the jade twin are pretty happy to see them happy like this again, simply thinking they are happy to finally have their family back again. But then what started as them being back to "just being bros" started being a bit more when old feelings decided to come hitting hard. Old habits were coming back, old desires follows suit.

It started with lingering looks when no one else was looking, lingering and discreet touch, going out (on date) to "catch up" (away from their boyfriend's eyes).

Then at some point, they finally cross the line, unsure who actually initiated the kiss, hands roaming around, trying to find old familiarity.

They both know they should feel guilty for their makeout session in the car and they do a little bit, but the happiness somehow drowns everything. of course, they promise not to do this again.

But now that they finally tasted what they wanted all these years, can they really stop?

and then they broke this promise.

many times.

they would sneak away from other's eyes, using the excuse of hanging out to rediscover each other's body. This is what they could have had if life hadn't been this hard on them, they could have had that all this time without needing to hide like this.

on the other side, lxc and lwj were first happy for them, then suspicion settled in. They both had a vague idea of what kind of feeling chengxian had for each other in the past.

lwj had a funny impression when most of the time he met up with wwx in his difficult time, he would ask about jc, making sure he was doing alright. More than once did he saw him looking longingly at a picture wxx had of jc, sometimes his thumb hovering above the call button.

lxc had obviously known that all these years jc had still tried to keep looking for wwx, his eyes looking suddenly hopeful anytime someone similar to wwx would pass them, the similar figure that could have been wwx if he hadn't been in jail. He felt like jc wouldn't have been /this/ obsessed with finding wwx if his feeling weren't deeper.

yet they both had been dating the young men and hoped that they would forget about it

(especially since lxc didn't expect wwx to suddenly reappear like this).

So how could they not suspect something when wwx and jc seemed to have grown a bit /too/ close after their reunion. Often going out until late, coming back smelling like each other and trying to hide possible marks and proof of what they did.

Eventually, the brothers stumble onto a kissing chengxian, surprising both men when they finally notice them.

It is pretty awkward afterwards, with everyone sitting in the living room without talking.

[poll to see what the ending should be]

(love how most of y'all decide cuckjade accept easily that they are cuck ijbfijb)

The atmosphere in the room was rather awkward and tense, wwx and jc sitting on the couch, on each end, as the Jade twins were sitting on chairs they brought from the kitchen.

The two who had been caught right-handed were not sure how to start explaining. But what was there to explain? It had been rather clear what they were doing, even wwx wouldn't be able to find excuses for it.

They couldn't say they regretted it, but they did feel bad in a way. Sure, they were still in love with each other, but their affection for each of the Jade brothers was not fake either, they didn't want to hurt them.

"Lan Huan, I'm-" tried to start jc, his voice tight as he didn't dare to look up at the man.

"I know," said lxc with a small smile on his lips.

on the other side of the couch, wwx dared a look at lwj, but it was hard to say what the other man was thinking about. Sure, he had gotten used to reading his rather unexpressive face, but right now it was hard to tell.

"We've actually been suspecting it for a while now" lwj finally says, only making wwx a jc pale a bit.

They knew? And they never said anything? They both thought they had been sneaky, but apparently, they couldn't escape the attentive attention of the Jade brothers. They had noticed and suspected it and now they had their confirmation. But what could they really do about it if they wanted to keep the?

after all, with all their love and passion, neither would want to break up with the cheating duo. It had taken /years/ before they could finally have their little lover, could they really let go like this?

But they couldn't really force the two to break off either. For a starter, if the two really wanted to be together, they would always end up meeting up and the Jade brothers couldn't just lock them up inside (although it did sound like a nice idea...). Plus, if they were to force them to break off when they clearly loved each other, wouldn't they start hating them?

breaking them off could have the same result as breaking up, only this time it would have the laying of wwx and jc just having negative feelings for them. It was not the best option.

With one look to his brother, lxc knew lwj had a similar thought. They only had one option...

wwx seemed to be about to talk this time, but he was cut off by lxc quickly, not allowed to end anything.

"We understand" he smiles, "And we don't... want to see either of you sad".

jc and wwx were a bit surprised, confused that they seemed to be giving up so easily. Were they really breaking up? It felt surreal for it to come from the Jade brothers.

"We grew up being told that sharing is also important" pointed out lwj.

oh.

now they understood.

wwx and jc ended up even more surprised, stunned when they realised lxc and lwj accepted so easily that they were being cheated on, but also accepted to let it happen because they wanted them to be happy together too.

it felt a bit too surreal when wwx remembered how lwj would chase away anyone who simply looked at him wrong. This lwj who was so in love with him was ready to share him with jc because he wanted him to be happy with the both of them?

jc was as surprised. Sure, lxc was not as possessive as his brother, but he had his fair share of scaring anyone who wanted to try anything with him away (as discreet as lxc tried to be, of course, jc noticed it). he was also ready to let jc give his love and attention to both lxc and wwx?

"You really mean it?" jc asked, looking as lxc stood up to instead kneel in front of him. "I know my a-cheng wouldn't have stayed with me if he had not even a little bit of love for me, you are not the kind of person to keep on faking feelings, but I also know you would be really sad without wwx next to you and I can't bear seeing you like this again" he smiled, cupping his cheek as jc's eyes were getting a bit teary.

He really meant it. He was really ready to share his love if it meant jc could still be by his side.

a yelp got their attention when lwj suddenly pulled wwx to him, hugging his smaller frame close to him. "I don't want to lose wei ying again," he said in a low voice, "Of see you longing desperately for jc as you did in the past".

he had seen how low wwx had been in the past, and he was scared to see him like this again. Maybe he wouldn't hit rock bottom again, after all, there was more than just losing jc at the time, but he knew it would be a hard hit after they were finally able to be together again.

"Just promise not to forget I am here too".

wwx gently returned the embrace, hand slowly rubbing his back to reassure. "I won't forget about a-zhan, don't worry" he whispered.

After that, jc and wwx shared a look, smiling at each other.

They were happy to have such accepting, generous and understanding boyfriends.

They wouldn't forget to love them the same way they loved each other.

Original

#my writing #tweet archive #short story #mo dao zu shi #chenxian #wangxian #xicheng #jiang cheng #wei wuxian #lan wangji #lan xichen #cuckji #cuckchen #modern au #shuangjie retrouvaille #secret relationship #2k - 3k words

4 notes · View notes