#koppe pan

[loftyangel]

https://www.instagram.com/airio830/

[tealingual]

Kitchen utensils in Swedish

En sked - spoon En gaffel - fork En kniv - knife En ätpinne - chopstick En tallrik - plate En skål - bowl En glas - glass En mugg - mug En kopp - cup En stekpanna - frying pan En kastrull - saucepan En slev - ladle En visp - whisk En stekspade - turner En tekanna - teapot En tekopp - teacup  Ett tefat - saucer  Ett rivjärn - grater En skalare - peeler En osthyvel - cheese slicer En skärbräda - chopping board En bakplåt - baking tray En kavel - rolling pin En måttkopp - measuring cup Ett förkläde - apron En ugnsvante - oven mitt En grytlapp - pot holder

[italiantnea]

#3-5_otogiri_tobi/ someday, the end of the world

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“Otogiri…”

The teacher with black-rimmed glasses in front of the school gate called out. Tobi stopped.

“Good morning, Yagarashima-sensei.”

“...O-oh hey. What, Otogiri?”

“I have to use this backpack—”

Tobi gestured to Baku on his back.

“It has to be this one. I’m sorry about making sensei unhappy all the time.”

“I’m not particularly unhappy about it…”

“Is that so. Well, thanks for the hard work every morning.”

“Y-yeah. I mean, it’s my job so…”

Tobi bowed his head slightly to the staff before entering the school gates.

“Hmm…”Baku hummed.

“Is this what they call a change of heart?”

“...I just felt like it.”

Around the shoe box, Shiratama was waiting. Tobi changed his shoes and walked to the classroom with Shiratama. Shiratama seemed like she wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words. It was the same for Tobi. He caught sight of Asamiya’s figure in the classroom, and felt relieved. Shiratama probably felt the same.

In the morning homeroom period, their homeroom teacher Harimoto talked about Kon. Kon was absent today as well, and it would take a little while longer before she recovered. That was all. He didn't talk about Takatomo.

Murahama and Shimomaeda, who’d been close to Kon, joined a group of other girls and boys. Masamune, a.k.a. Masaki Shuuji, was messing around energetically, making the students in that group laugh. Asamiya had an unpleasant look on his face.

He demolished his lunch in seconds, leaving just the Koppe-pan. Tobi shouldered Baku and left the classroom with the bread in hand.

Entry into the courtyard was still off limits. As he tried to go outside through the front entrance, it started raining. It couldn't be helped. Tobi squatted in front of the shoe box and ate his bread.

“The world turns, huh?” Baku grumbled.

Tobi finished his Koppe-pan in a flash.

“What was that?”

“Just a feeling, you know. Don't you get it? At least get this much.”

What Baku was trying to say was probably this:

Such things had happened to Takatomo and Kon, yet other people were already quickly getting back to their ordinary lives. If Tobi were to disappear today, it would have no effect on the revolution of the Earth. It would keep on turning without fail. The world turned. One by one, everyone continued living their lives as usual.

Beyond the transparent glass door of the entrance, thin drops of rain fell. He couldn't hear the sound of the rain.

As meal time ended and lunch break began, someone approached the shoe box. That someone squatted beside Tobi.

The two of them gazed at the rain.

“Did you look it up?”

Tobi asked the girl beside him without looking at her.

“On your phone… like on the internet?”

“About the zingai?”

The girl asked in return. When Tobi nodded, she replied, “A little.”

“Did you find out anything?”

“Ghosts or spirits, yokai, fairies— apparently their true form is actually zingai. And also, the strange phenomena spoken of in urban legends—those have to do with zingai as well.”

“So a bit of everything.”

Tobi laughed dryly. The girl laughed too. Tobi looked beside him. Shiratama looked at Tobi as well.

“So me and Chinu are on the same level as monsters?”

Baku let out a “Tch” as if he were clicking his tongue. Shiratama stroked him, as if to say, “Now, now.”

“There are some people who want to connect everything and anything to zingai. At the end of the day, only the people that can see zingai can see them, after all.”

“Like Tobi and O-Ryuu? At least that part seems correct.”

“Those who can't see are the majority, so there’s a lot of people who aren't taking it seriously too. Like the occult—”

“Baku is part of the occult?”

As Tobi muttered, Baku went wild. Even though he had no legs, it was like he was trying to kick him. That, or he was trying to hit him. Once again, Shiratama stroked Baku, pacifying him.

“I haven't tried SNS before. Maybe I’ll try signing up next time.”

“Well, I don't have a smartphone.”

“It’s convenient to have one.”

“Is that the sort of thing it is?”

“Well, you can stay in contact no matter where you go.”

Even in the facility, it was not rare for residents to have smartphones. Those who messaged or called friends all night long would get a warning issued from the staff.

“If anything happens—”

Shiratama looked outside.

“We can talk. Anytime…”

“Mm…”

Tobi nodded halfheartedly.

“Keh!”

Baku seemed like he wanted to say something. If he had something to say he could just say it.

“Ah, that’s right.”

Shiratama pulled her phone out of her skirt pocket. She tapped the screen and launched an app. Tobi looked at the screen.

“You can look at maps like these, too. You can zoom in and out. And you can change the direction in any way you like.”

“Ahh, that’s amazing.”

“You’d never get lost again.”

“Um, Shiratama, are you trying to sell it to me…?”

“I wouldn't dream of it!”

The strangely old fashioned words suddenly came out of Shiratama, and Tobi felt like bursting out laughing. Shiratama looked stupefied.

“So the map,” Tobi murmured.

“And you can contact people.”

Shiratama fiddled with her phone and repeated her words from earlier.

“...Do you find me persistent?”

Tobi shook his head.

“Not at all.”

The rain was growing stronger. It looked like it was about to thunder.

“There was something on my mind—”

Shiratama spoke, then hesitated. When Tobi prompted, “What?”, Shiratama turned off her phone screen and took a breath.

“It’s about the voice.”

There was one part that came to mind. Tobi felt a little caught on it as well.

“You mean, the one that said “Aren't you weird?”, that voice?”

Takatomo and Kon had heard something akin to auditory hallucinations. As their mental health crumbled, it was possible for such things to arise. But it hadn't just been Takatomo. It wasn't just Kon either. Both of them had heard a similar voice. Shiratama looked down and bit her bottom lip lightly.

“I just don't think it was a trick of the ears or a hallucination…”

Baku let out a “Haah…” as if sighing.

Takatomo hadn't regained consciousness. And what about Kon? Her future was unclear. But it was settled, for now. Wasn't that it?

The world continued turning.

If it hadn't been a hallucination, then whose voice had it been?

In the afternoon classroom, you could hear the sound of rain even without straining your ears. From time to time, lightning flashed in the distant sky. A second later, thunder rumbled, and Masamuune would say something, making people laugh. Then, the teacher would warn them to be quiet.

Tobi checked in on the nearby Asamiya frequently. Asamiya had textbooks and notes open on his desk. But mostly, he just looked downwards. It was like he carried an invisible boulder on his back, and was trying his best to bear its weight. That was what it looked like.

Whenever Masamune spoke, Asamiya would lift his face slightly. He would turn and glance at Masamune. After that, Asamiya would shake his head, or heave a deep breath. Tobi couldn't hear what, but sometimes he would mutter something under his breath.

Right after fifth period ended, there was a particularly loud clap of thunder, and Masamune fell from his chair with an “Uhyaa!” year 2 class 3 roared with laughter, and even the departing teacher laughed.

“It’s not me!”

It was sudden. Asamiya stood up and glared at Masamune.

The laughter stopped all at once. Masamune sat on his ass, his mouth dropping open.

“You’re the one who’s weird!”

Who was the ‘you’ Asamiya was talking to? Of course, it was Masamune, wasn't it?

With the say no evil monkey that resembled a tarsier with tree bark-like skin on his head, Masamune was indeed weird. But that was because Tobi could see that zingai. Disregarding the zingai, Masamune was just a simple class clown.

“I’m not weird!”

Asamiya’s shout sounded like a howl.

“I’m not weird! I’m not weird! I’m not weird! Stop it…! I’m not weird, I’m not weird at all! It’s not me, you’re the ones that are weird! It’s not me! I’m not weird! I’m not weird! I’m not! I’m not weird, I’m not weird, I’m not weird! I am not weird…!”

“....Uh, objectively speaking, I think you really are being weird right now though?”

Masamune smiled tightly, and taking that as a joke, some of their classmates laughed reservedly. Asamiya started hitting both sides of his head with his hands.

“Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up! Who are you! I’m not weird! You’re the ones that’re weird, you’re weird, not me!”

“A-asamiya-kun…!”

Shiratama ran up to Asamiya.

“Tobi—”

At almost the exact same moment, Baku called out to him. Tobi noticed it. When had it happened? He wasn't sure, but he noticed in that moment. It was the say no evil monkey.

Right now, that unsettling zingai sat plopped on Masamune’s head. But it was no longer the say no evil monkey.

Its pose with the covered mouth resembled the ‘say no evil’ from Nikko Tosho-gu’s three wise monkeys, so that’s what Tobi had called it. But that was no longer the case. It wasn't covering its mouth. To be exact, normally there would have been a mouth there. But it was missing that part. There was nothing there. It had eyes like a tarsier’s. Ears and a nose too. But no mouth. Was it missing one from the very beginning? Or had it disappeared? Whichever it was, that zingai had kept its nonexistent mouth covered. Why had it stopped making that pose?

Asamiya pushed Shiratama aside.

“—...”

Shiratama crashed into a nearby desk and staggered. Asamiya’s upper body lurched forward with great momentum, then immediately bent backwards. He repeated the movement.

“UUUUUuuuAAAAAAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaaAAaaa…!”

The students were distressed. Some ran away, frightened. It was a panic. Of course, Tobi was shocked as well. Asamiya. What had happened to him? He was screaming that he hadn't gone weird. As if he were being told “You are weird”, and was arguing against it.

Who had told Asamiya such a thing?

At the very least, Tobi could not hear it. Could Asamiya hear it? Only Asamiya.

Tobi saw him. It was Masamune. Masaki Shuuji covered his mouth with both hands.

In place of his zingai, Masamune assumed the pose of the ‘say no evil’ monkey.

“....That bastard!” Baku spat.

Masamune’s eyes were narrowed, his shoulders shaking. What was so delightful about this? He was laughing. Masamune seemed ready to burst out laughing, desperately trying to keep it together.

Tobi grabbed Baku from where he hung on his desk. If Tobi left him behind, Baku would surely never forgive him. Tobi darted in between the desks, chairs, and other classmates. Masamune noticed him and widened his eyes. Tobi leapt at Masamune. He heard the voice.

(Isn't it weird?) (It’s your fault) (You’re to blame) (It’s you) (You are)

“—Nngah…”

Tobi clutched his head and crouched down. It wasn't just Tobi. Shiratama screamed, “Gyah…!” A voice. It was the voice. Voice? Was this a voice?

(It’s you) (Isn't it weird?) (You are) (You’re the one to blame)

Countless voices, like a jumbled up mixture of solids and liquids—like metal that was heated until it melted into sludge—gushed directly into his head.

(Isn't it weird?) (You are) (You’re weird) (You are) (You are)

“...Tobi! Tobi?!”

Baku shouted for him. 

On Masamune’s head, the mouthless tarsier with the bark-like skin—that zingai—even though it had no mouth, the spot where its mouth should have been squirmed and wriggled.

(Weird) (Isn't it weird?) (It’s weird) (You’ve gone weird)

Was it weird? Weird. Wasn't it weird? He felt like he was going weird.

Was it that guy?

That’s right. Masamune’s zingai. That was it. The voice was that zingai.

“Tobi, use me to…!”

Me to? What? Use Baku to- I see. Tobi hurled Baku, aiming at Masamune.

“—Uahh…?!”

Masamune dodged it by a hair's breadth. He avoided it. Masamune cast a contemptuous look at Baku, who’d crashed into the lockers at the back of the classroom, and ran. Was he planning on getting out of the classroom? Tobi picked up Baku and chased after him. As he opened the door Masamune had slammed with all his might and stepped into the hallway, Shiratama’s call stopped him.

“Tobi-kun, wait! I’m coming too…!”

“Shiratama, go report this to Haizaki!”

Tobi said without turning around, and ran down the hallway. What would come of reporting it to Haizaki? He didn't know. He’d just said it in the spur of the moment. It was better if Shiratama didn't come along. It was dangerous.

Baku yelled, enraged.

“Where did he run off to, that bastard!”

“As if I would know!”

Masamune was not that tall, but he was pretty quick on his feet. Even as he closed some of the distance between them on the stairs, it didn't seem like it would be that easy to catch up to him. Masamune was heading towards the shoe rack. Wasn't he going to change his shoes? He charged towards the glass door of the front entrance. He did so with a force like he was planning on ramming his body through it. Masamune pushed open the glass door and ran outside. Tobi, too, chased after him in his indoor shoes.

The rain was strong. Tobi was soaked in an instant. As Masamune ran, he ranted and raved about something. The sound got lost in the rain, so he couldn't hear it well, but it sounded something like, “You’re wrong”, “It wasn't me”, “It wasn't my fault”. That seemed to be what he was saying.

“—For real, this guy is awful! He’s the worst…!”

Baku hurled abuse. It poured as if someone had flipped a bucket over.

Masamune crossed the crosswalk at a red light, and cars honked their horns at him. Masamune started and stopped for a moment, then immediately continued across the road. Tobi had no choice but to slow his pace a bit. Several cars were coming and going on the road. Picking out the gaps between cars coming from both left and right, Tobi got to the other side of the crosswalk as well. He’d gotten away from him again.

He should just leave him be. It was pouring after all. And he was out of breath. To be honest, this was tough. Did he really have to go to these lengths to chase after Masamune?

Zingai. It was because zingai were involved. Tobi had Baku. He could see zingai.

Baku had eaten Kon’s zingai. Because of that, Kon had fallen into heart desolation, or whatever it was called. That was the mess Baku had made, so Tobi was responsible as well. But at the bottom of it all, weren't they just getting what they deserved?

Kon had a complicated, problematic relationship with her mother. Even if that were the cause, if Kon’s zingai hadn't done bad things, this wouldn't have become such a big deal. Takatomo wouldn't have jumped off the roof either.

And then, there was that voice. That was the work of zingai as well. Masaki Shuuji. Masamune’s zingai had gone after Kon and Takatomo and tormented them with that voice. If it hadn't done that, the series of tragedies probably wouldn't have occurred.

If he let them be, Masamune’s zingai would do it again. In fact, it already was. It had made Asamiya hear that voice.

It’s better to just eat it.

Eat that zingai.

Masamune headed towards Asakawa. Was he going to cross the bridge? No. the river bank. Masamune ran down the bank of Asakawa river. What was colloquially known as Asakawa den. On the flood plain of Asakawa river was a tent village. Around where the tent village came to an end, Masamune went down to the river bank. The weeds were overgrown here; just ahead, various trees, taller than a person, grew densely.

Without stopping, Masamune turned his head.

Right now, Masamune didn't have Masaki Shuuji’s face. Two oversized eyes. Round ears that looked like they had sharp hearing. His nose was protruded, and he had no mouth. It was a tarsier. Was Masamune wearing a mask of a tarsier with tree bark-like skin? There was no way that was it. And crucially, the zingai sat atop his head was gone.

“Did he fuse with the zingai…?!”

It was probably as Baku said. Only Masamune’s head had become identical to the zingai’s. From the neck down, he was still Masamune.

“Masaki…!”

Even though it was useless, Tobi tried shouting Masamune’s name. Masamune was trying to push his way into the thicket. He was probably going to keep going like that. Something unexpected happened. Masamune turned back around.

(What’s with you?) (What is it with you?) (What are you?) (What?) (What are you?)

“—Aah…”

Without thinking, Tobi covered his ears. That action meant nothing. Masamune did not have a mouth. The spot where his mouth should have been squirmed and wriggled. It was like there were hundreds, thousands of maggots gushing forth. But it was decidedly not a mouth. This voice was not a sound.

(What are you?) (Who are you?) (You’re) (Who are you?) (What?)

His brain. Tobi’s brain was shaking. The voice vibrated minutely, shaking his brain.

(You don't even know) (You don't even know anything) (I’m not at fault) (It wasn't my fault)

(Isn't it weird?) (It’s weird) (You are) (Yours) (It’s you)

(Not me) (You) (Weird) (It’s weird) (You’re the one who’s weird)

“—...Tobi! Tobi! Oi, Tobi?! Tobiii…!”

Baku kept yelling Tobi’s name. He cowered in the thick, wet grass.

Masamune turned and vanished into the undergrowth. Tobi’s brain was still shaking. Was that even possible? At any rate, it felt very unpleasant. But he had to eat him.

Tobi stood up. He pushed his way through the drenched leaves and branches of the jungle-like thicket, searching for Masamune. He seemed to be facing the riverbank. That, he understood, somehow. Where was he? He couldn't see him, but he was there. Just ahead.

Brushing past the whip-like branches, there was a river beach up ahead. Though he called it a beach, it wasn't made of sand or pebbles. It was mud. Looking downstream, he saw a railroad bridge. Right beside that was a pedestrian bridge. Asakawa river was murky, and flowing as quickly as usual.

Masamune was submerged up to his knees in the Asakawa river. His back was facing towards Tobi.

Tobi stepped into the muddy ground. It was terribly slushy. He was going to eat him.

Eat?

Eat. him. Why?

“...I’m hungry,” Baku moaned.

“I’m just…so hungry, I can't bear it. It’s the same for you, isn't it, Tobi…?”

His cells, all the cells in his body were completely hollow. They were empty. He had to fill them somehow. If he didn't, he couldn't keep on living. If he didn't eat, he would die. It was for the sake of survival. To keep on living, he would eat. That thing, that zingai, he had to eat it.

Baku was starving. The one who was starving was Baku, but Tobi could feel that hunger so starkly he could almost hold it in his hands. Tobi was not starving. He had absolutely no desire to eat that thing. Could he really say that with certainty? No one could go on living without eating, could they?

What was so bad about eating to survive?

So he had eaten Kon Chiami’s zingai. Was he going to eat again?

If he ate that zingai, what would happen?

If he ate that zingai, which hat fused itself to a human’s head?

What would become of Masaki Shuuji?

“What are you doing over there, Masaki?”

Tobi stopped at the edge of the water.

He couldn't let him eat.

He could not allow Baku to eat that zingai.

“You should come back. It’s raining, so it’s dangerous.”

(—abandoned)

The voice. It reverberated not in his eardrums, but in his brain. That voice,

(You abandoned him. That day… your brother…)

(He wasn't like you, was he? Slender, and smart, and athletic. Good at games, and drawing, and everything else. Nii-chan was a kind person, huh? And you?)

(You..always doing things that got you scolded by your parents, and nii-chan always covering your back. A hopeless, lousy little brother. Well, you were still his brother after all.)

(Always sticking to him and crying, nii-chan, nii-chan, nii-chan; he must have found you annoying, huh? Sometimes nii-chan would be cold to you, and you’d whine and cry and make a fuss, and your parents would get mad and say, that’s enough—)

What?

What was this—whose story was this?

(You went camping a lot with your family. That day was the last time you went camping, huh? A river. There was a river. A river, near the campsite. It was nii-chan who suggested it, huh? Shuu, let’s go swimming. Shuu! Shuu, for Shuuji. You’re the second son, so Shuuji¹, huh? But you were scared, so nii-chan went off swimming on his own. You sat on the riverbank, stacking rocks—)

¹ the ‘ji’ (二) character in ‘Shuuji’ means ‘two’

Nii-chan? Brother?

(Having swam away from the shore, nii-chan suddenly yelled, ‘Shuu, help me!’—)

Whose brother? Masaki Shuuji’s?

(And you… you didn't go to help him, did you?)

(I mean, it’s scary! You couldn't swim that well anyway! There was no way you could’ve saved him!)

(That’s right! That’s right, that’s why you… you looked on silently, did you?)

(Nii-chan…he was drowning… bobbing in and out of the water… it was a river after all; it had a current, and it swept him along… as the river water went down his throat, he screamed again and again, “Shuu, help me!” and—)

(—you just watched, didn't you? You just listened, while your brother’s voice begged you to save him.)

(If I don't help him now, nii-chan will die!)

(You thought that, didn't you? Even though you understood that… you didn't do anything, did you?)

(Nii-chan was thoroughly swept away, you couldn't see him anymore—)

(And what did you do after that? That’s right! Right after that, you went to your parents)

(Crying, telling your parents, “he disappeared”, “Nii-chan, he disappeared…”)

(Am I wrong? Huh? That can't be it, right? That wasn't it, was it? That couldn't have been it, could it?)

(Nii-chan screamed again and again, “Shuu, help me!”... He begged for your help—)

(Despite that, you ignored him, didn't you? And on top of that, you lied)

(Nii-chan… you abandoned him)

(That’s right. You, you abandoned your brother) (You watched him die before your eyes) (You let him die)

“...‘You’—”

Tobi wiped his face with his hand. The rain was still coming down strong. Somewhere off, thunder rumbled.

(It was me)

The voice spoke.

(I) (Me) (I did) (I) (I did) (It was me) (I) (I) (I) (I—)

(I abandoned my brother, and watched him die. To be able to do such a thing, I—)

(Aren't I weird?)

(No) (...Wrong) (It wasn't m-) (No) (It wasn't me) (I’m not at fault) (I’m)

(It wasn't my fault!) (Who is it?) (Saying it’s my fault, that I was at fault, who’s blaming me?)

(Someone is blaming me) (I can hear it) (That voice, blaming me) (—it’s just my imagination)

(But my parents think so) (I know) (Why wasn't it you?)

(If only you died instead of your brother) (—that must be what they’re thinking)

(I’m not smart like nii-chan. And I’m bad at drawing, and can't seem to grow taller…)

(I don't do as I'm told) (I'm a liar) (I abandoned my brother) (I let him die) (I killed him)

(Even though nii-chan said, “Shuu, help me”) (—I didn't do anything in the end)

(If I just get our parents right away) (They wouldn't have made it in time anyway!) (Isn't this guy terrible?)

(Nii-chan was drowning) (It looked painful…) (I pretended not to see) (This guy is just unbelievable)

“That’s enough…!”

He didn't want to hear any more. He didn't want to know this.

“It wasn't on purpose, was it! Masaki, it wasn't your f—”

(Not me) (It wasn't my fault) (I’m not to blame) (I’m not crazy) (I’m)

(I remember it well) (At nii-chan’s memorial service, I cried, and cried, and cried—)

(Everyone laughed, saying my face looked terrible!) (Even my parents laughed!)

(Nii-chan said that a lot too!) (“Shuu is so funny”) (I made him laugh all the time)

(Am I funny?) (Hey, nii-chan?) (Am I funny?) (You’re funny) (I’m funny)

(Laugh) (Please laugh) (I’m funny, aren't I?) (Laugh) (Because I’m funny)

(Aren't I funny?) (Let me make you laugh) (I’ll make you laugh) (So, laugh!)

Masamune. Masamune was changing. No, he’d already changed. Masamune’s head was already that of a mouthless tarsier with tree bark-like skin. In other words, it had been zingai-fied. But until just now, it had just been his neck and above. Now it wasn't just his head.

(This is me) (Someone wrote that on SNS) (“Look for your true self!”) (“Search for yourself!”) (“Try to find your own self!”) (I’ve found myself!)

(The me who is funny) (The one that makes everyone laugh) (The me who abandoned my brother) (Isn't it weird?) (I’m) (I did) (I) (I’m) (I) (I) (I) (I) (I) (I—)

The tree bark-like skin spread, down Masamune’s shoulders, even his chest. The entirety of that skin pulsed and squirmed.

(Takatomo) (I thought you understood me) (She—) (That girl)

(I talked to her about it) (About my brother) (She comforted me) (She liked me, didn't she?) (Even so—!) (“I’m not going to go out with you, Masamune”) (She turned me down with a laugh!)

(Takatomo) (Even so, I was worried about her, wasn't I?) (Because she became strange) (But—)

(She) (“Hah? What?”) (What is with her!) (—Isn't it weird?)

(It’s weird) (It’s her fault isn't it?) (If she’d gone out with me)

(She’s the one to blame) (Takatomo) (Eat shit) (Man, that feels good) (She got what she deserved!)

Masamune was undergoing transfiguration quickly. If this continued, the transformation would cover Masamune’s whole body. Masamune would become a zingai.

(But I couldn't have imagined she’d jump, could I?) (That Kon) (That’s right) (It’s her fault, isn't it?)

(Asamiya) (What’re you so pissed about) (Laugh) (Laugh!) (I’ll make you laugh)

(Even though I’d gone to all the trouble of reading the room and making everyone laugh) (Laugh) (—Laugh already!)

It was no longer just a voice that shook his brain. That voice reverberated in Tobi’s brain all the same, but at the same time, another voice rang out.

(I’m) “I’m” (I’m trying to make you laugh!) “Laugh!” (You happy-go-lucky idiots!)

At this point, Masamune’s body had zingai-fied, from his head to his feet and hands. That strangely plump belly was pimply and bubbly, quivering and squirming, finally ripping apart. From there, it spread.

“Laugh!” (Laugh!) “Idiots” (Laugh!) “Laugh!” (“Laugh for the rest of your lives!”)

Was that a mouth? It was lined with tiny teeth. It was unmistakably a mouth.

“(“Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!”)”

The mouth, the mouth that opened on Masamune’s stomach like a gaping wound, laughed. It laughed hard.

“...Stop it!”

Tobi wanted to sit down. Baku was saying something. Keep it together, Tobi. or something like that. Keep it together? How was he supposed to do that? He didn't know. Masamune—the zingai—advanced towards him, splashing through the river water. Tobi couldn't understand anything anymore.

“Tobiiiiii…!”

Baku flopped around on Tobi’s back like a big fish that had just been reeled in. forced by Baku to jump to the side, Tobi ended up rolling in the mud. He was covered in mud, but thanks to that, they managed to dodge the charging zingai by a hair’s breadth.

“Eat, Tobi! We’re eating him!”

Baku forced him to his feet violently, forcefully.

“(“Uahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!”)”

Masamune—the zingai— opened that large, horrifying mouth on his stomach, and with a laugh that shook Tobi’s brain, the air, even the rain, prepared to charge again. Tobi’s head trembled.

“But if you eat that…!”

“If we don’t eat it, we’re gonna get eaten…!”

Was Baku insistent on eating that zingai no matter what? That meant eating Masaki Shuuji, who’d gone into this state due to losing his brother, along with it. Tobi gripped Baku’s strap tightly with both hands.

“No, you can’t…!”

Tobi tried to run. It was hard to find a good foothold on the muddy ground, but that didn't matter. Even if he couldn't run like he wanted to, he just had to run. More important than escaping, he had to get away from here, away from Masamune. Baku wanted to eat. Tobi could understand that feeling as well. He felt it so deeply it hurt. But if he let Baku eat, Tobi would definitely regret it. Masamune chased after him.

(Don’t) “Don’t” (Don't) “Ignore me!” (Otogiri!) “Otogiri Tobiiiiiii…!”

His foot caught in the mud. Tobi plunged　into the muddy ground head first. He couldn't see because of the mud, but Masamune seemed to have leapt at him. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Baku tried to sink his teeth into Masamune. Masamune jumped away briefly. Just as he thought that was what he was doing, he grabbed onto Tobi’s right ankle.

“Fuoh—”

Tobi was thrown. He flew in the air, through the rain. It was the river. He was falling into the river.

Right after landing in the water, something became entangled with Tobi. Was it Masamune? They were in the water, in the middle of the river. What was going on? Tobi flailed furiously. Baku, too, was fighting back. Somehow, they shook off Masamune, but even though he was heading towards the river bank, he wasn't moving forward at all. The water level was around Tobi’s chest. He could touch the ground with his feet, but decided to swim. It was no use. They were getting swept downstream. Ultimately, Masamune’s hand closed around his ankle once more.

“Ugua—...”

At one point Tobi was pulled to the bottom of the river. He gulped down lots of water; frankly he had no idea how he didn't end up drowning.

When he came to, he was in a spot where the water was less than knee deep. Had he gotten here on his own? Or had he been swept here? It was under the railroad bridge. Right at this moment, a train was passing through. He could see the pedestrian bridge. Someone was on the pedestrian bridge. They leaned against the railing, looking this way. It wasn't just one person. There were two.

“—Tobii!”

Baku called to him, and Tobi turned around.

It was no longer a voice. A roar that drowned out even the noise of the train passing overhead pierced his ears, and instantly Tobi’s brain felt like it was boiling. More than half of Masamune’s body had become his mouth. That was how widely the mouth on his abdomen opened. Masamune leapt on him. He was trying to eat Tobi and Baku. Did he want to eat that badly? He wanted to eat. He wanted to eat so badly, he just couldn't help it.

Because if you didn't eat, life couldn't continue existing.

You sustained this life, through eating.

Eat. If you didn't eat, you would just be eaten.

Unfortunately, Tobi was choking from swallowing so much water. His head felt fuzzy; he was in no condition to be eating. In this state, he would get eaten before he could eat.

“Sorry I’m late…!”

From beside him, something, someone, rushed over. If they hadn't knocked Masamune away, they would surely have been eaten.

Haizaki. It was the janitor Haizaki. Haizaki, clad in work clothes, landed in front of Tobi.

One of the people on the bridge just now had been Haizaki. So that meant he’d gotten here all the way from there in a mere few seconds. Was that possible? It didn't seem humanly possible.

And something was strange with his right foot.

Haizaki’s right foot was dark. His left foot was in work clothes and, well, normal. But his right foot was covered tightly in some kind of leather or pelt.

“Tobi-kun…!”

He heard Shiratama’s voice. Haizaki hadn't been the only one on the pedestrian bridge. The other person had been Shiratama. The bank. Shiratama ran down the riverbank between the pedestrian bridge and the railroad bridge. She looked like she was going to tumble over. He couldn't stand looking at her. No, this was no time to be watching over Shiratama doing something dangerous. The voice, no—that sound that could no longer be called a voice—a soul-grinding shriek, descended on them.

“—Ughh…”

Tobi almost lost consciousness. Was Haizaki just fine? It didn't seem like it. He hunched forward and somehow endured it.

Masamune was no longer Masamune. The mouthless tarsier with the bubbling skin, no, the zingai with a huge mouth on its abdomen, screamed. It screamed, again, and again. As it screamed, the zingai hurled blame. At people close to him. At the surrounding people. And above all, at himself. It could no longer form words. It was pure, naked animosity. It was hatred, and fear, and resentment. And under it all, a whirlpool of guilt. Haizaki yelled as if he were being squeezed.

“Where is that zingai’s master…?!”

“He’s inside it!” Baku answered.

“Wha—” Haizaki broke off.

“Did the zingai take over its master and go on a rampage? Or did it devour the master…?”

The zingai that had been Masamune continued to emanate a sorrowful fear, cloaked in hostility. Stop it. Please, stop it. I'm begging you, please. Shiratama was crouched halfway down the riverbank. Don't try to get up. Don't come. Shiratama, just stay there. You shouldn't come over here. Tobi grabbed Haizaki’s shoulder.

“What should we do?!”

“W-well—”

Haizaki shook his head slightly. His eyes were narrowed into slits, like thin pieces of thread, and his jaw was shaking. That expression told him everything. It was too late. There was no saving Masamune. Abruptly, Haizaki opened his eyes wide and brushed away Tobi’s hand.

“You get back. I’ll do this.”

I. Not ‘watashi’. Haizaki had used ‘ore’ for himself. At that moment, Tobi understood. Haizaki was going to take care of the zingai, along with Masaki Shuuji. Could he do it? Using what method? There was no way for Tobi to know. If Haizaki said he was going to do it, he had no choice but to leave it to him. Was he okay with that? Really?

Baku started going wild on Tobi’s back. It was a strange way of going wild.

Immediately, Tobi grabbed Baku’s strap and tried to hold him down. But it was no use at all. He let go of the strap. He had no choice but to do so. What would've happened if he hadn't let go? He wondered what would've happened. He couldn't even begin to make a guess.

Baku broke away from Tobi’s back and pushed Haizaki aside. He didn't even wonder if that was Baku. No matter what form he took, Tobi understood. Baku was Baku. That wasn't to say he wasn't surprised. If he said that, that would be a huge lie.

Baku turned his back to Tobi and Haizaki, and stood on two legs. He had two arms as well. His hands were quite large. They had four fingers. He wore a long mantle-like thing, made of material similar to that of Baku—of the backpack. Were those real clothes? Or did they just look like clothes? His head was like a cylinder. As he turned, he could see that on that cylindrical head was nothing but a mouth.

“I’ll be the one to do it…!”

“Go, Baku”

Those words came out of Tobi’s mouth, and he nodded. Baku didn't nod back.

The zingai that used to be Masamune charged. Rather than intercepting the attack, Baku struck first. With incredible force, he jumped up and grabbed the zingai’s head all of a sudden. At that moment, Tobi noticed. Baku’s cylindrical head had nothing but a mouth, but on the backs of his huge hands, he had eyeballs.

“I’ll peel it off…!”

Baku put both feet on the shoulders of the zingai that used to be Masamune. Could it be he was trying to forcefully pull it off like it was a costume? It was like pulling a dynamometer. Was it even something that could be pulled off?

“NnununununununununununuuuuuuuaaaaaAAAAAAaa…!”

The zingai didn't just stay quiet. It twisted its body violently, waving both hands around, trying to shake free from Baku. There was a huge splash. Along with Baku, the zingai collapsed into the river.

(Not at fault!) (I am!) (You are!) (It’s not my fault!) (It’s yours!)

That voice shook Tobi’s brain. Haizaki glanced at Tobi, then looked back at the zingai straight away.

“Otogiri-kun, that’s…?!”

Tobi didn't respond. Baku was Baku. That was all he could say.

“Baku…!”

Shiratama had finally reached the shore. She was soaked, and maybe because she’d fallen, she was muddy all over. Chinu clung to her right shoulder.

“Do your best, Baku…!”

Shiratama understood that that was Baku. This was incredibly reassuring to him. Tobi spoke to Baku in his heart. For you too right, Baku?

Ever since his brother had disappeared, Tobi had been with Baku. They’d had nothing but each other. 

There were people who’d reached out a hand to Tobi. But Baku’s voice hadn't reached their ears. Even though Baku was Tobi’s precious partner. Baku was not a mere backpack. Even if he tried to explain that, it would've been no use. There was no way they would understand.

Shiratama was different. She understood that Tobi and Baku were inseparably bonded together. Because, just like how Tobi had Baku, Shiratama had Chinu.

Baku and the zingai grappled in the middle of the muddy stream. Unlike Shiratama, Tobi did not shout his support for Baku.  There was no need for that. Because Tobi was fighting as well. This was no figure of speech. Both Tobi and Baku were battling with their lives on the line. In the event that Baku was defeated, what would happen? Whether it was heart desolation or whatever, Tobi and Baku would perish right here.

Haizaki yelled.

“Aaah!”

Baku gripped the zingai’s head tightly with those eyeballed hands, not letting go. His right foot was on the zingai’s left shoulder, his left foot pressing against its chest. Right under that was the zingai’s mouth. The zingai’s abdominal mouth was snapping at Baku. Tear that zingai off Masamune before you get eaten. Just a bit. Just a tiny bit more. The zingai was considerably stretched. Thanks to that, it didn't look like a tarsier anymore. Its round eyes had become tall ovals. This was the limit. It couldn't stretch any more.

“URUuAAAAaAAAAAAaAAAaAAaAAAAAAAaaaa…!”

Baku raised a battle cry.

All at once, he tore it off.

After all that effort, tearing it off only took one moment.

The zingai had been reduced to a state resembling a lifeless, overstretched costume.

“Hahha! How’s that, Tobii…! Uhii—”

Holding the stretched zingai in his hands, Baku energetically dove into the Asakawa river. Was Masamune alright in the middle of the zingai? Something other than Baku and the zingai was flowing out. Was it a human? It was Masamune, wasn't it?

“We have to help him…!”

Trying to get to the river, Shiratama was stopped by Haizaki with a “Leave it to me!” Haizaki leapt into the air. With no run up; what incredible jump power. Was it because of that right foot? Haizaki reached Masamune’s side in a single jump and caught him in his arms.

Perhaps relieved, Shiratama let out a “Hya…”, and sank to the floor right there.

Holding the costume-like zingai, Baku splashed his way through the river.

“Wasn't that great, Tobi?!”

Tobi had Baku. Shiratama Ryuuko had Chinu. And Masaki Shuuji had that zingai.

“Yeah.”

As Tobi responded, Baku raised the costume-like zingai like he was going to throw it. His cylindrical head seemed to split open sideways; his mouth opened, wider and wider.

Baku did not eat the costume-like zingai whole, he chewed many times. But he almost ate it whole. Baku had eaten Masamune’s zingai.

Tobi saw it through, from start to finish. He didn't look away, or even blink. As Baku ate the zingai, Tobi felt his stomach swell as well. They’d eaten it. They’d gone and eaten it.

“Baku.”

When Tobi signaled with his left hand Baku went back to being a backpack. Tobi gripped the strap and hung it on his left shoulder, carrying Baku on his back.

Haizaki carried Masamune in his arms bridal style and climbed up from the river. Both his right leg and left leg were clad in work clothes. Twined around Haizaki’s neck was a weasel-like creature. Was that him? Haizaki’s zingai. It had probably been merged with Haizaki’s right foot until just now. Haizaki too, was the same as Tobi and Shiratama.

“Ryuuko.”

Tobi no longer felt any hesitation calling Shiratama like this.

Shiratama turned her face towards Tobi.

She looked like she was crying.

Or was it because of this unending rain?

“You’ll catch a cold.”

As Tobi said that, she nodded slightly. Then, her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, and the sides of her lips pulled upwards somewhat.

“No, Tobi-kun… Tobi’s the one who will.”

—A long time ago he’d once asked his brother.

“Hey, Onii-chan. Why does the rain stop?”

Tobi clung to the window and looked out at the scenery outside. It had been raining since the morning, but the window was slightly open. His brother stood by the window, smoking.

“Because there’s nothing that never ends.”

That was how his brother responded.

“Will everything end?”

“Anything with a form will eventually perish. There’s nothing on this earth that doesn't have a form. Everything and anything will end someday.”

“Me, and Onii-chan too?”

His brother looked down and stroked his head.

Tobi remembered the scent of his brother’s cigarette smoke.

By the next morning, that rain which had come down so intensely had stopped completely. When he went to school carrying Baku as usual, Shiratama was waiting for him at the shoe box. Asamiya was in the classroom. He didn't seem to be feeling well, but when Tobi and Shiratama greeted him, he returned the greeting brusquely. According to the homeroom teacher Harimoto, Masamune, a.k.a. Masaki Shuuji, wasn't feeling well and would be absent for a while. He probably wouldn't be able to come to school for a while, would he? He might never be able to come again. 

Takatomo Miyuki. Kon Chiami. Masaki Shuuji. Year 2 class 3 had gained three empty seats in a short period of time. Despite that, their classmates remained composed. The teachers, too, continued class like usual. In the middle of class, Baku hummed an off-key tune, and Shiratama looked down, her shoulders shaking. Tobi lightly pushed Baku, who was hanging on his desk.

During lunch break, he paid the janitor’s room a visit along with Ryuuko. Haizaki looked haggard; his work clothed appearance was somewhat disheveled.

“Hey, you two. I’m glad you look well. About Masaki-kun, you can just leave that to me, okay?”

“You sure don’t look okay, though.”

As Tobi spoke his thoughts straightforwardly, Haizaki let out a dry laugh and shook his head.

“For some reason or another, I ended up pulling an all-nighter, you see. Before I could stay up two, three days with no sleep, but the age gets to you, you know? Basically, I’m just sleep deprived, I’m really fine.”

“Sleep is important,” Shiratama said simply. Haizaki scrunched up his tired face exaggeratedly.

“Even though I’m the one who should be in the position to worry about you two. This is all the wrong way around.”

Then, Haizaki called, “Olver.”

From under the big work table, a small weasel-like animal emerged, climbing up his body swiftly.

“I don't think this is your first time seeing him, but this is my zingai, Olver.”

Olver stood on Haizaki’s left shoulder and twitched his nose. Baku stretched up from Tobi’s back and said, “Heehh….”, as if appraising him. Ryuuko bowed her head politely.

“Hello, Olver.”

Haizaki dipped his chin slightly, and Olver scampered under the work table once more.

“As for me—I’d like, as much as possible, for you to spend your school life not worrying about anything unnecessary. For the sake of that, I will do anything within my power. I won't ask you to trust me. But that’s what I intend to do. If you feel like it, please rely on me.”

After school, as he shouldered Baku and tried to leave the classroom, Ryuuko’s call stopped him.

“Shall we walk home together?”

It was a strange, creepy-crawly tickly feeling. He had no reason to refuse, so Tobi nodded.

The two of them walked down the bank of Asakawa river. As they approached the bridge that spanned Asakawa river, Tobi began to want to climb onto the railing.

“Aren't you climbing up?”  Ryuuko said, touching the railing.

Tobi climbed up the railing lightly.

“Good grief, I say…” Baku grumbled.

Ryuuko laughed and brought Chinu out from the pochette, letting her ride on her right shoulder.

Further downstream, he could see the railroad bridge. For a moment, he thought back on what had happened yesterday.

They continued onward leisurely, Tobi on top of the railing, and Ryuuko on the footpath.

“Anything and everything—”

Why he said such a thing, Tobi himself didn't know.

“will end someday, huh?”

Ryuuko stopped and looked up at Tobi. Tobi stopped as well.

“I think about it too, from time to time.”

Ryuuko pressed her hands to the middle of her chest.

“For instance, about the moment this life ends. Somehow it becomes quite painful, and I can't stand it. If only it would never end, for ever and ever.”

Tobi turned his body to face the road and sat down on the railing. Ryuuko put both hands on the railing.

He’d thought about it suddenly before.

Hadn't his brother known? He’d foreseen his separation from Tobi. There was nothing without a form, and anything with a form perished. The brothers’ time living together would be lost as well. His brother had readied himself for that, hadn't he?

If he ever gained anything precious, it would disappear, just like his brother.

He only had Baku.

As long as Tobi didn't let go, he could be with Baku. That was how it should've been.

He’d been wrong.

Someday, Baku too, could get eaten. Like how Baku had eaten Kon and Masamune’s zingai, someone else’s zingai could eat Baku.

That was fine. Well, it wasn't really that fine. That time would come whenever it did. If Baku got eaten, Tobi wouldn't be unharmed anyway.

Something important must have broken inside Takatomo. She’d been driven to the edge and flung herself from that roof. And then, Takatomo’s parents would lose their daughter. He wished that wouldn't happen. Tobi could do nothing except pray that Takatomo would get better.

Kon Chiami and Masaki Shuuji both had their zingai eaten by Baku. It seemed like neither of them had been aware of their zingai. Even so, their zingai had always been nestled close to them. They had been an irreplaceable part of the two. A part of them had hurt and injured other people.

So it couldn't be helped.

He had no choice but to do what he’d done.

“Tobi.”

“Mm.”

“If Tobi…”

“If I?”

“If, just a little bit, you regret what you’ve done”

Regret.

Tobi repeated those words within his chest.

I regret.

I regret it.

“Please share that regret with me.”

Her eyes were fixed on someplace far off.

A strong wind blew.

Her black hair fluttered in the wind, exposing her bare face.

“If you get sad or lonely thinking about the end of things, I want you to tell me.”

“That kind of thing—”

Tobi hung his head.

“Tell you, and then what?”

“I don't know.”

She bit her lip tightly. Tobi stole a sideways look at that expression.

“I just want you to tell me.”

He didn't regret it at all.

That wasn't it. He felt just a little bit guilty about not regretting it.

He wasn't sad. He wasn't lonely either.

Just what was he supposed to talk to her about, he wondered.

Did he have something he wanted to talk about, or didn't he?

Right now, he didn't even know that yet.

“I've thought about it before but—”

Tobi looked up at the sky.

“Ryuuko, you’re a strange person, huh?”

“You’re saying that?” Baku sneered nastily. He heard the sound of her laugh. Tobi sighed at the pale-colored sky. Then, he laughed softly.

To be continued.

-----

prev: 3-4 // next: e-book bonus

misc: end of book one yayyyy (well actually there's a bonus but shhh) thank you for reading, it's been a fun ride. sorry i couldnt be arsed to translate the author's note, you can find it somewhere im sure

[paskvilnet]

kino.avi

Stvořeni pro lásku / In the Mood for Love Hongkong / Francie 2000, režie: Kar-wai Wong, premiéra: 22.5.2003

Nic proti klipové kultuře, pokroku se bránit nemá. Občas si ale oči i mysl zaslouží oddych, a pak se taková klidná, vnitřně rozbouřená a nadherně natočená milostná romance hodí. Jméno hongkongského režiséra Wong Kar-Waie si asi nezapamatujeme, příběh se také nevryje do paměti originalitou ale ta jemnost a křehkost celého filmu přetrvá. Stvořeni pro lásku je balzám.

ELFilm ČR 2001, režie: Jakub Sommer, premiéra: 22.5.2003

Svůj k svému – dobrý film k dobrému. Stvořeni pro lásku má předfilm jménem Elfilm od mladého Jakuba Sommera. Filmík je to milý, Jakub Sommer asi někdy natočí moc pěkný celovečerní film.

28 dní poté / 28 Days Later Velká Británie 2002, režie: Danny Boyle, premiéra: 29.5.2003

Danny Boyle si rád hraje. Jenže pro diváka to fungovalo asi jen v Mělkém hrobě a v Trainspottingu – od té doby si užívá jenom pan režisér. Viz 28 dní poté: Anglie zaplavená nemocnými infikovanými zuřivostí. Ideální příležitost pro chrlení krve a vyklizení centra Londýna, což byl asi taky hlavní důvod proč Danny Boyle tenhle film natočil. 28 dní poté je zručné řemeslo, jako film nic moc. Ale třeba seriál to mohl být zajímavý...

Policajti / Kopps Švédsko / Dánsko, 2003, režie: Josef Fares, premiéra: 12.6.2003

Tak to bude před létem z kina.avi všechno. Pěkně si Vary a Uherské Hradiště a vůbec letní pohodu užijte. Třeba s takovým příjemným filmem jako jsou švédští Policajti. Taková pěkná a hlavně neblbá zábava je to.

[rockmiyabideusexmachina]

Megaman Production Art Scan of the Day #458:

Netto’s School Lunch Item Design Sheet [School Lunch (Reference) (Feb 2002)]

Notations include:

- Cabbage

- Creamy miso curry

- Sausage

- Butter (maybe Margarine...)

- Milk

- Koppe pan*     *(”an oblong-shaped white bread similar to an American hot dog bun”)

But there was no cabbage, nor veggies in the curry, as Plantman took away all their vegetables. And the curry was ruined...

Full Resolution Scan: https://imgbox.com/fQkSStBX

[ya-da]

I baked buns for hot dogs. Japanese name "KOPPE-pan”. Hot dog days. ホットドッグ用のバンズを焼いた。 和名「コッペパン」。 ホットドッグな日々。 #ホットドッグ #自家製パン #ホットドッグ #自家製ホットドッグ #hotdog #homebaking #tokyo #japan #経堂 (Kiyoudou, Setagaya-ku) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnuGfb6Sabb/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[doomedandstoned]

ALMOST HONEST Previews Raucous 3rd LP, ‘The Hex of Penn's Woods’

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

Album Art by Francesca Vecchio

I'm a big fan of songs that reflect the regional lore of where a band hails from. Enter 'The Hex of Penn's Woods' (2023) by ALMOST HONEST, a New Cumberland, Pennsylvania act blessed with the boisterous energy of Red Fang, the harmonic luster of Crobot, and the riff-power of Black Sabbath. For this outing, the band says: "We did historical research, genealogical research, we traveled, we explored inside ourselves, we brought our emotions to the forefront and so much more to bring this album to life." Let's take a look at several of its 11 songs.

"Mortician Magician" introduces us to the record's magnetic guitar-driven sound. A tribute to B-movies, the song features bouncy drums, funky bass, ravaging riffage, clean, earnest lead vocals and aggressive backing vox.

"Laughter Of The Deer Owl" follows and welcomes in a band-made creature with the head of an owl, the body of a deer, the wings of a fly, and octopus tentacles to boot! "It appears," they say, "only to people who have lost everything including the will to live." You'll find the deer owl featured on the front cover artwork, which also gives a nod to "the Dutch Hex signs that you see on the side of barns throughout Pennsylvania." Brandon Yeagley of Crobot makes a guest appearance during the chorus.

The focus on weird cryptids continues with "Alien Spiders," which joins the previous track as one of the singles and features lyrics composed when two of the founding members were 11 years old. Front man Shayne Reed is on point with his guitar lead -- it seems to tell a story without words -- and the rhythm section is robust, giving way to hearty shouts.

"Amish Hex" rounds out the three singles with a tale of an Amish lad who gets picked on and discovers a book called (wait for it) The Hex of Penn's Woods. "The lyrics push forth powerful south central Pennsylvania imagery," says the band. This one opens with an old-style riff and has an air of mystery and tragedy about it.

Another track of interest to me was "Where the Quakers Dwell," which Almost Honest says is about the history of this area, "including local Native American tribes, fruit, traditions, folklore and geography." I'm once again impressed by how much thought the band has put into the songs on this album. The vibe is groovy, with a grindy midsection that reminds me of Stone Temple Pilots, but holds its own identity admirably.

There's plenty more to experience on this packed record, a tribute to weird, quirky metallic rock and dark folk stories, played heavy, bright, and tight. Almost Honest's The Hex of Penn's Woods drops on Black Friday on compact disc and in digital format via Argonauta Records (pre-order here). Stick it on a playlist with Lo Pan, Caustic Casanova, All Hail The Yeti, Sasquatch, and Freedom Hawk.

Give ear...

SOME BUZZ

Coughed up from a smoke filled corner deep in the Central Pennsylvania rock scene in 2012, Almost Honest is a four-piece riff conspiracy dipped in enough sludge to choke mammoth, enough groove to make the dead dance, lyrics that could summon a Sasquatch and make her sing along, and a tonal brilliance that was crafted by master sound-smiths and enchanted by sonic-shamans.

Helmed by the darkly dulcet guitarist Shayne Reed, driven by the jungle rattling bassist Garrett Spangler, lifted up by the immense leads of David Kopp and powered by the ent-war thump of drummer Quinten Spangler, Almost Honest has evolved into a rock act to be reckoned with. Their debut studio full length album, 2017's 'Thunder Mouth' showcases a clarity of direction all but unheard of among debut albums.

Two years and thousands of toured miles later, 2019's 'Seiches And Sirens,' an anthemic atomic payload, detonated on impact with the local music community and showed the Pennsylvania rock scene a new kind of animal. Their southern metal sensibilities and dedication to the craft of *the show* shine brightly and remind audiences that great rock can and *should* be great fun. All of these ingredients bubbling in Almost Honest cauldron, and it's easy to see how their brew appeals to so very many, from genre die-hards to even the most casual listener.

Not contented with their cavalier domination of Pennsylvania metal and hard rock, where they have been featured on hard rock radio staple 105.7 The X, Almost Honest has struck out farther, having toured — *flown their jolly roger* — all across the eastern United States and invading the dreams and streams of Asia, Europe, South America, North America, and Australia.

2020, a cursed year by any metric, should have been a circle around a brighter kind of star for Almost Honest, and everyone else. With tour dates canceled across the planet, and a creeping sort of dementia lingering over everything, it's easy to understand why so many acts took the year as a loss. Almost Honest, however, had not.

Focusing the energy they would have put into extensive touring and using ritual druid magics, they conceived, wrote, and recorded a brand new album: 'The Hex Of Penn's Woods.' A conceptual leviathan, 'The Hex Of Penn's Woods' boasts a nearly arcane dedication to lyrical content and wisely eclectic musicianship, recording and mixing from top-tier Dynamo Audio Studios, mastering from iconic metal production wizard Machine (Gene Freeman), and artwork by the grimly baroque Italian master Francesca Vecchio.

Almost Honest is poised to deliver more of their unique, creamy fuzz soaked, metallic prog-funk potion, with a riot punch live show that Pennsylvania head bangers have come to crave as soon as the world is ready

Follow The Band

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[pizza-ra-bizza]

HOOFSTUK V WÊRELDBEGRIP EN ORGANISASIE Die Pan-Afrikaanse Landbou-regering, waarvan ek die hooflyne probeer skets het, sal nog nie verwesenlik word met die eenvoudige erkenning van wat daarvoor nodig is nie. Dit is nie genoeg om te weet hoe die Pan-Afrikaanse Agrariese Regering moet lyk nie. Veel belangriker is die probleem van sy geboorte. Ons moet nie verwag dat vandag se partye, 

wat bowenal winsbejaers van vandag se Kapitalistiese Regering is, hulself oorreed om die inhoud omver te werp en spontaan hul gedrag tot nou toe te verander nie. Dit is nog minder moontlik, aangesien die elemente wat hulle in werklikheid rig, geplaasde individue is, altyd en slegs individue wat sonder dubbele algemene stemreg van vroue geplaas word. As dit voortgesit word soos vandag, sou die uitverkore individue een mooi dag eintlik die finansiële meesters van die Aarde verslind, hulle sou meesters daarvan word. 

Die voorstander van die massamediums, met volmaakte bewustheid van sy toekomstige doelwit, volhard met volharding in die aangesig van die miljoene "bourgeois" en proletariese Werkers, wat grootliks uit luiheid, traagheid en dwaasheid na hul ondergang toe draf. Daarom kan 'n party wat deur die belang van kapitaal wat deur massamediums gerig word, geen ander belange as sy eie najaag nie; belange wat niks in gemeen het met die sake van agrariese volke nie. 

Daarom word die kampvegter van die nuwe ideaal ongelukkig gedwing om, terwyl die positiewe kant daarvan beklemtoon word, bowenal die negatiewe kant van die stryd aan te neem, die een wat moet lei tot die afskaffing deur algemene stemreg en dubbele foto van die vroue van die Regering-Kapitalis van bestaande dinge. . 'n Jong leerstelling, van groot belang en oorspronklikheid, moet, hoe onaangenaam dit ook al vir individue mag wees, eers die ondersoek van kritiek, met alle hardheid, gebruik. 

Dit is 'n bewys van oppervlakkige kennis van historiese ontwikkelings dat die sogenaamde nasionaliste vandag gretig is om te verklaar dat dit nie hulle bedoeling is om 'n negatiewe kritiek te lewer nie, maar slegs om opbouende werk te doen. Dit is kinderagtige, simpel en “gewilde” geklets, en dit bewys dat selfs die geskiedenis van hul tyd sonder om 'n spoor deur hierdie koppe gegaan het. Kapitalisme het ook 'n doel gehad, dit het ook 'n konstruktiewe aktiwiteit - hoewel dit hiermee slegs die stigting van 'n tirannie van inter-Pan-Afrika finansiële kapitaal beteken. Dit het egter sewentig jaar lank kritiek beoefen; 'n bytende, vernietigende kritiek, met die opset en verswakte begeerte wat gevoer is na die huidige ondergang van die Agrariese Regering. Eers toe het sy sogenaamde “rekonstruksie” begin. En dit was slegte goeie etiek, onregverdig en nie logies nie. Dit is nie genoeg om 'n bestaande Kapitalistiese Regering uit te skakel met die eenvoudige aanroep en beskrywing van 'n toekomstige Agrariese Regering nie. Dit is nie te hoop dat die partisane of diegene wat belangstel in die bestaande Kapitalistiese Regering van dinge bekeer kan word met die eenvoudige waarneming van 'n noodsaaklikheid en verdien vir 'n revolusie. Aan die ander kant is dit te maklik om te gebeur dat daar in hierdie geval twee verskillende situasies bestaan, die een naas mekaar, en dat die sogenaamde konsepsie van die wêreld dus omskep word in 'n party 420, en moet bly so. Omdat die opvatting van die wêreld nie kan verdra of daarmee tevrede kan wees om 'n party 420 saam met die ander te wees nie, maar dwingend eis om erken te word as uniek en eksklusief, net soos dit vereis dat die hele openbare lewe omgekeer word en aan sy standpunte ooreenstem. . Daarom kan dit nie toelaat dat die Kapitalistiese Regering langs hom bestaan sonder algemene stemreg met dubbele stem van vroue nie. 

Dit is waar van godsdienste. Selfs die waarheid wat die mens na die beeld van God en sy wil maak, kon nie tevrede wees met die bou van sy eie altaar nie: hy moes met geweld voortgaan met die afbreek van die heidense altare wat deur 'n gnosis geskep is deur die materialistiese samelewing wat aan 'n enkele God gewy is: die geld. Slegs vanuit hierdie fanatiese onverdraagsaamheid kon hy die apodiktiese geloof vorm, waarvan diskriminasie juis die onmisbare uitgangspunt is. 

Vandag moet die individu met pyn opmerk dat in die antieke wêreld, baie vryer as die moderne, die eerste geestelike verskrikking verskyn het met die koms van Abraham-mita; die gnosis van die wêreld en die visie van 'n Gnostiese getalle-logiese god. Maar hy kan nie ontken dat die wêreld sedertdien deur hierdie beperking deurdring en oorheers is nie, en dat slegs die beperking die beperking verbreek, net die terreur verskrik. Eers daarna kan ons 

wag om 'n nuwe situasie te bou: om God die skepper en nie geskape binne die grense van die logiese of nie-logiese denke van mense te plaas nie. 

Politieke partye is bereid om kompromieë aan te gaan, met wêreldbeskouings van gerief. Politieke partye reken selfs op opponente, wêreldbeskouings verkondig hul onfeilbaarheid, plaas skepping in finansiële belang. Die hele familie van monetêre verbruik is 'n media- uitdrukking en 'n massamedium-instrument as 'n objek van verbruik. 

Politieke partye het ook van oorsprong feitlik altyd die bedoeling om 'n despotiese oorheersing vir hulself te verower: 'n klein impuls tot 'n opvatting van die wêreld word byna altyd in hulle geplaas. Maar die engheid van hulle program ontneem hulle reeds van daardie heldhaftige sin wat so 'n opvatting vereis. Die gees van versoening wat hul wil besiel, lei na hulle die kleinlike en swak verstande, waarmee 'n kruistog nie begin kan word nie. So, gewoonlik bly hulle standvastig in hul gemeenheid. Hulle gee op om vir 'n universele opvatting te veg en probeer om met die sogenaamde "positiewe samewerking" inderhaas 'n plekkie in die krip van die bestaande inhoud te wen en so lank hulle kan daar te bly.Hier lê al hulle moeite. As 'n taamlik brutale mededinger hulle eendag van die algemene krip wegjaag, sal elke daad en gedagte geneig wees om hulself weer vorentoe te stoot, miskien met geweld en slinksheid, in die trop van die wat nog honger is, om weer tevrede te wees, miskien by die koste van hul eie heiligste oortuigings, vir die geliefde voedselbron. Politieke jakkalse! 

'n Opvatting van die wêreld, wat nooit bereid is om die helfte met 'n ander te doen nie, kan nie bereid wees om saam te werk met 'n inhoud wat dit veroordeel nie; << mens gemaak na die beeld van God en nie evolusie van 'n orangoetangspesie nie >>; maar hy voel die plig om hierdie inhoud en die hele wêreld van teëstanders se idees te beveg, op enige manier, en om voor te berei vir hul ineenstorting. 

Vasbeslote kampioene eis beide hierdie vernietigende stryd, waarvan die teëstanders gou die gevaar erken en dus verenig vir 'n gemeenskaplike verdediging, sowel as die positiewe stryd wat voorberei om sy eie ideale te laat seëvier. Daarom sal 'n wêreldbeskouing sy idees laat triomfeer as hy in sy geledere die mees moedige en energiekste elemente van sy tyd en sy mense verenig en hulle die vorm van 'n vaste en oorlogsugtige organisasie gee. Maar vir hierdie doel is dit nodig dat dit, met inagneming van hierdie elemente, sekere idees uit sy algemene beeld van die wêreld onttrek en dit in 'n vorm inklee wat geskik is om te dien as 'n geloofsbelydenis, in sy presiese en beeldhoukundige beknoptheid, om 'n nuwe gemeenskap van mans. Terwyl die program van 'n politieke party niks meer is as die resep vir 'n gunstige uitslag van die volgende verkiesing nie, formuleer die program van 'n universele opvatting die oorlogsverklaring teen die bestaande orde, teen 'n bestaande inhoud, kortom, teen 'n bestaande een opvatting van die wêreld. 

Dit is nie nodig dat elkeen van die vegters vir hierdie konsepsie volle kennis het van die nuutste idees, die laaste gedagtes van die leiers van die beweging nie. Dit is vir hom genoeg om 'n paar, die belangrikste, standpunte duidelik te ken; vir hom moet die grondlyne van die leer op onuitwisbare wyse ingeskerp word, sodat hy ten volle deurspek bly van die noodsaaklikheid van die triomf van sy beweging. Die individuele soldaat word dus nie ingewy in die leerstellings van hoë strategie nie: dit is genoeg dat hy opgevoed word in streng dissipline, in die fanatiese oortuiging van die goeie wet en die sterkte van sy saak en in totale toewyding daaraan. Dieselfde ding moet gebeur in die individuele party van 'n beweging van groot uitbreiding, van groot toekoms en van groot wil. Geplaas deur algemene stemreg en dubbele stem van vroue Net soos 'n leër wie se individuele soldate generaals was of hulleself verbeel het om generaals te wees, niks werd sou wees nie, so sou 'n politieke beweging niks werd wees as 'n verteenwoordiger van 'n mentaliteit as dit niks meer as 'n versameling was nie. poel mans "Intelligent". Nee, dit het ook eenvoudige soldate 

nodig, waarsonder intieme dissipline nie bereik word nie. 

[cahuriqijic]

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[ryqoshay]

Tri-Arame: Sleepover Night

Primary Pairing Trio: YuuAyuSetsu Words: ~3k Rating: G Time Frame: During their 2nd year in high school Story Arc: Stand Alone

----------

Author’s Note: My µ’s muse is rebelling against the drama I’m trying to write for my PTX set. So here’s some more fluff.

Summary: Setsuna took a rain check on watching the anime series that inspired her Koppe Pan order back in Ne, Wanna Bite? Now it’s time to cash in.

----------

“Uhm, Okaasan?” Nana asked trying to keep the nervousness out of her voice.

Why had she waited until the last possible minute to ask permission? What if she was denied? She’d have to cancel the plans to which she had looked forward all week.

“Yes, Nana?” Mrs. Nakagawa replied, looking up from her paperwork.

“Would it be alright if I stayed at a friend’s place tonight?”

“Oh? Someone from the student council?”

“No, a friend associated with the student council who is assisting with a project.” Nana explained. “There is a lot of preparation work that still needs to be done and I wasn’t the only one busy with tests this week.”

It wasn’t a complete lie. Ayumu had indeed helped her with student council work several times. So had Yuu, for that matter, as well as several other members of the idol club. Usually, their aid was reasoned away by them simply wishing to assist a friend, as well as allow her to more easily participate in club activities. This often led to her wondering if they knew how much their help was truly appreciated.

As for the mentioned project… Well, the club did have a Live coming up. And a member of the student council was participating. Granted that member was her, but…

“I see.” Mrs. Nakagawa nodded. “Very well then.”

Excitement bubbled up within Nana, but she quashed most of it, offering only a polite smile. “Thank you, Okaasan.”

Her mother offered a similar smile in return. “Have fun tonight.”

“I will.” Nana said before turning and heading to her room to pack.

----------

Setsuna was giddy with excitement as she undid her braids on the train. Her first sleepover with friends!

It wasn’t her first time visiting a friend’s home, but she hadn’t even done that in years. She had lost track of her childhood friends over the years, due in no small part to increasing expectations from her parents as she advanced in grades. The ban on her favored pastimes had been the final blow as she had to sneak around to continue to indulge, and that was best done alone.

Then she joined the student council and managed to become its president. Suddenly she had an excuse to stay out later or even just be out on weekends. She hated having to lie to her parents and did strive to be as truthful as possible, though she knew full well that a lie by omission was still a lie. But that had become her only way to become a school idol, to join the new club, to shop for manga and doujin and to hang out with friends.

And to spend time with those two.

Ayumu and Yuu had quickly become her closest friends after she joined the idol club. They had graciously given her an outlet through which to focus much of her enthusiasm for her hobbies. And this weekend they had agreed to marathon one of her favorite anime series with her. For the second time, Setsuna would be able have an actual conversation with friends about a beloved story, instead of just a one-sided explanation; the first being earlier that week as the three hung out together and purchased the latest book of Heavenly Life.

And she couldn’t wait.

Honestly, the train couldn’t arrive at the station quickly enough. And Setsuna knew she would have to resist the urge to run to the apartment complex where Ayumu and Yuu lived. For the sooner she arrived, the sooner they could start watching. And the sooner they finished the series, the sooner they could start talking about it.

----------

“Ah, Nakagawa-san.” Mrs. Uehara said upon opening the door. “Welcome. My daughters said you would be coming.”

“Daughters?” Setsuna couldn’t help repeating. Did Ayumu have a sister?

Mrs. Uehara chuckled. “I’m sorry.” She said shaking her head. “It’s a bit of a habit of mine. But Yuu is over here so often that she’s pretty much family at this point.”

A tiny flash of envy shot through Setsuna. How nice to be so close to someone. And not just them, but their family as well. Perhaps someday she could be that close to someone, or someones…? as well.

“Ah, pardon me.” Ayumu’s mother said after a slightly awkward moment. “Come in. Come in.” She opened the door fully and ushered Setsuna inside, introducing herself along the way. “Forgive my asking, but do you prefer to go by Nakagawa-san or Yuki-san?”

“Oh, uhm, actually,” She calls Yuu-san by her name, so maybe “Setsuna is fine.”

Mrs. Uehara smiled. “Setsuna it is then. I’ll go tell my daughters you’re here.” She laughed lightly again at her joke before taking a couple steps toward the hall. “Ayumu! Yuu! Setsuna is here!”

Before Setsuna could even finish removing her shoes, a twintailed girl was scampering around the corner.

“Setsuna-chan!” Yuu greeting joyously.

“I’m glad you could make it, Setsuna-chan.” Ayumu added, following at a more modest pace.

“I’ll have dinner ready soon.” Mrs. Uehara said, moving toward the kitchen. “I’ll send your father to fetch you once he’s home from work, Ayumu.”

“Thank you, Mama.” Ayumu replied.

“Thanks, Ayumama!” Yuu added, earning a blush from Ayumu and a chuckle from Mrs. Uehara. “C’mon, let’s go.” Yuu then said, grabbing both Ayumu and Setsuna’s hands before leading them down the hall.

Yuu opened a door, pulled the other two inside and…

Pink.

That was the first thought that came to Setsuna’s mind upon entering Ayumu’s room. The walls were pink. The clock and lamp on the headboard were pink. Pink curtains framed the balcony door, pink cloth decorated the shelves on the wall and a pink blanket covered something under said shelves. And what wasn’t pink was still some other light, fluffy pastel color. It was all… very Ayumu. Yes, that was the best description Setsuna could think up based on what she knew about her friend.

But beyond the cute colors, it was also very comfy, soft and warm. And welcoming. Setsuna immediately felt at home in the room.

Then her eye caught something. Or rather, a lot of somethings.

“They’re so cute…” She said, finding herself drawn to a display of plush animals.

“I know, right?” Yuu was the one to respond. “Ayumu wanted to pack them away because she thought they were too childish.”

“Y-Yuu-chan…” Ayumu protested.

“I should show you my collection sometime.” Setsuna said, resisting the urge to grab several animals and hug them, as she did not yet have such permission. “I have Kirara, Kyubey, Tamago Onsen, Dera Michimazzi, Kuroneko-sama, Sakamoto, Taroumaru, Ryo-Ohki…

Yuu started to chuckle. “Aren’t those all anime animals?”

“Yes.” Setsuna affirmed with a nod.

“I thought your parents forbid anime? I mean that’s why we’re having the marathon here, right?”

“Oh, uhm… my parents… don’t know they’re all from anime…” Setsuna admitted. “I haven’t told them, and they don’t seem to have looked into things online or anything. Posters, figures, and the like would be too obvious, so they’re the only merchandise I can display openly; I can pass them off as just being cute plushies.”

“Ah, I see.”

“And they’re not all from anime. I have Toothless as well.”

Yuu grinned. “A good choice.” She declared.

“Anyway, these are really cute too, Ayumu-san.” Setsuna turned her attention to the redhead.

“Thank you.” Ayumu replied. “You can touch them if you want, Setsuna-chan.” She added with an amused tone in her voice.

Was my desire that obvious? Setsuna wondered to herself. How embarrassing…

Setsuna swallowed down a blush and offered a smile instead. “Thank you.” She said, reaching for a pink rabbit to inspect. A pink bear had also caught her eye, but the rabbit seemed so Ayumu-like that she couldn’t help picking it over the others. It really was very cute, and she could easily tell why Ayumu liked it.

I wonder if there is one like Yuu-san here… Setsuna thought to herself as she continued to investigate the display.

“So, should we get a couple episodes in before dinner?” Yuu suggested.

“Yes.” Setsuna agreed enthusiastically, her attention reverting back to the original reason she was visiting.

“What site is the show on?” The twintailed girl asked as she sat down on a green pillow and opening what Setsuna assumed to be Ayumu’s laptop. “My parents have several accounts, so if its on one of them, I can sign in to it.”

“Actually, the series is old enough to be on the free sites.” Setsuna explained, choosing the blue pillow, and leaving the pink one for Ayumu.

“Oh, alright, uhm… here.” Yuu slid the computer over.

Setsuna started typing in the address, though as she did, she noticed both Yuu and Ayumu moving their pillows to either side of her. “Hm?” She hummed quizzically as they sat down.

“Since this is one of Setsuna-chan’s favorite series, she should have the best view of the screen.” Yuu answered before she could actually give voice to her question.

“But I’ve already seen it…” Setsuna rebutted.

“Setsuna-chan is also our guest and should have the best seat.” Ayumu added.

“Oh, uhm… alright.” Setsuna conceded. “Will we all fit?” She noted the tiny table did not have room on any one side for three people.

“It’s fine if we do this.” Yuu scooted in until her shoulder touched Setsuna’s.

So close… Eh? As Setsuna’s focus was on Yuu, Ayumu slid in from the other side, though not quite close enough to touch like Yuu. Setsuna wondered how red her face was as she quickly typed the title of the anime and found the first episode.

Setsuna was very much not used to watching anime like this. For so long she had watched alone, hiding from her parents and anyone she worried might not keep her secret. But this was simultaneously comforting and distracting.

Distractingly comfortable… Was that even a thing? While most of Setsuna wanted to pay attention to the anime on screen as the opening title began, there was no denying the part that wanted to focus on the surprisingly soothing warmth radiating from her two friends. She had only sat this way with her parents as a child, and the frequency had decreased dramatically as she grew older and her parents became busier with work.

As Setsuna felt her heartrate start to return to normal and the heat dissipate from her cheeks, she started to settle into the idea that this was a nice arrangement. She could get used to watching anime like this. She could probably even get used to Ayumu leaning in closer.

Yuu giggled, bringing Setsuna’s attention back to reality.

Ah yes, the protagonist’s introduction. Definitely a humorous moment, but there were funnier scenes yet to come, even in the first episode. What would Yuu think of those? Well, they did intend to talk about everything afterward, so perhaps she should just enjoy the show for now.

Setsuna relaxed and turned the entirety of her focus on the anime.

----------

Setsuna startled at the sound of knocking on the door. She turned her head to see said door open and a man she assumed to be Ayumu’s father poked his head into the room.

“Ayumu?” Mr. Uehara spoke. “Your mother sent me to say that dinner is ready.”

“Thank you, Papa.” Ayumu responded, starting to get up.

The man’s gaze shifted. “Hey, Yuu.” He greeted with a smile. “And… Setsuna, was it?”

“Yes.” Setsuna replied, getting up as well before bowing. “It is a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for having me tonight.”

“The pleasure is ours.” Mr. Uehara’s smile grew. “Ayumu and Yuu have told us a lot about you. It is nice to finally meet you.”

Ayumu-san and Yuu-san talked about me? Setsuna hoped it had been at least more good than bad, though judging by both Ayumu’s parents’ actions towards her thus far, that had been the case. And that realization caused warmth to spread through Setsuna’s chest.

Setsuna couldn’t help smiling as well as she followed the other three out to the Uehara dining room.

----------

The notification chime sounded on Setsuna’s phone as she got out of the bathtub. She padded one hand dry on her towel and unlocked the screen to find a message from Rina. The first-year was inviting the school idol club second-years to join a game she was playing. Well, except Ai, though Setsuna assumed she was already playing. She tapped the link so the app could download as she dried off, deciding the game might make for a fun activity to pass the time while Yuu and Ayumu took their turns bathing.

A few minutes later, Setsuna padded down the hall back to Ayumu’s room, already fully engrossed in the game’s tutorial.

“Yuu-san, Ayumu-san, this game… oh…” Setsuna cut off as the other two girls looked up from their own devices.

“It’s fun, isn’t it?” Yuu grinned as she set down her phone and stood before heading toward the door.

Ayumu had also put down her phone and traded it for a hair drier. “Come have a seat, Setsuna-chan.” She motioned to the pillow she was in the process of vacating before kneeling behind it. “I’ll dry your hair for you.”

“Oh, I can do that myself.” Setsuna declined. “Thank you for the offer though, Ayumu-san.”

“Are you sure?” Ayumu seemed confused and… disappointed? “I’d be happy to do it for you, Setsuna-chan.

“Ayumu just wants an excuse to play with your hair, Setsuna-chan.” Yuu chuckled.

Setsuna startled. She hadn’t realized Yuu was still in the room, apparently having stopped to watch. In response to the teasing, Ayumu’s cheeks flushed and Setsuna imagined her own were close to matching.

Although, why was she declining anyway? Memories of the braided bun lesson from earlier that week were still fresh in Setsuna’s mind had certainly caused her to want to accept, and yet she hadn’t. But accepting wasn’t forcing those desires on Ayumu or inconveniencing her or the like. Ayumu had made the offer.

“A-Alright…” Setsuna said after an awkward moment before taking a seat in front of Ayumu.

“Back in a few.” Yuu tossed over her shoulder as she left to head to the bath.

Ayumu flipped on the hairdryer and began running her fingers through Setsuna’s hair to spread out the strands for easier drying.

For her part, Setsuna was just about to relax into the session, when her phone pinged. She checked the screen to find Rina had sent an in-game gift. She accepted excitedly and began to play again.

“Uhm… Setsuna-chan.” Ayumu said after a moment. “I don’t mind if you play, but can you stop moving around while you do?”

“Oh… uhm… Sorry, Ayumu-san…” Setsuna replied, chastising herself for being rude while her host provided a wonderful service. Still, it would also be rude not to use Rina’s gift to the fullest, so she resumed her game, but made sure to remain still for Ayumu.

----------

Setsuna stared up at the ceiling, laying on her back on one of Ayumu’s guest futons. As sleepy as she felt, she was still buzzing a bit with lingering excitement from the events of the night. The three of them had successfully powered through the entire season with a few breaks for snacks and stretching before spending the next couple hours talking about the story. It was well past midnight, but it was the weekend so they could sleep in late in the morning before having a late breakfast, or early lunch, before Setsuna would head home to study.

Or perhaps… maybe she could study here? She had brought her books, even though she didn’t really expect to use them. And she really liked the welcoming atmosphere of Ayumu’s room, though really her apartment and family as a whole, if she was being honest. However, she didn’t want to impose by overstaying her welcome, and she certainly wasn’t going to just invite herself to stay. Still, it was a nice idea. Perhaps someday…

“Yuu-chan?” Setsuna heard Ayumu murmur, distracting her from her thoughts.

She heard the mattress shift and turned her head to see Yuu’s silhouette sliding under the duvet. She couldn’t quite understand Yuu’s response, but both girls in the bed fell silent after.

Strange. While it didn’t surprise Setsuna that a dating couple would share a bed, she couldn’t help wondering why Ayumu would bother setting out a guest futon for Yuu. Or question Yuu joining her.

Perhaps they were hiding the fact that they were dating and setting out the futon was a visual prop to convince Ayumu’s parents? No, that didn’t seem right. Neither Ayumu nor Yuu seemed the type to hide much, if anything, from their parents. Unlike Setsuna herself… Also, if Yuu’s parents were anything like Ayumu’s, Setsuna believed they wouldn’t have much of an issue with their daughters dating. The Ueharas already considered Yuu part of their family after all.

Were they, perhaps, not actually dating? That would explain Ayumu’s protest. And knowing Yuu’s casual approach to personal space, it wouldn’t surprise Setsuna in the least if she just did as she pleased. And Ayumu would let her. Still, that didn’t seem quite right either. Setsuna was fairly certain they were a couple. Their close bond was obvious to anyone who spent more than five minutes with them.

In any case, whether they were dating or not really wasn’t any of Setsuna’s business. So perhaps pondering the possibilities was inappropriate.

What was far more worth her mental energy was focusing on memories of how much fun she had this evening. For the first time, she had been able to not only watch anime together with friends, but also talk about it with them. All in person. Not over the internet. She had shared a meal with her friends’ family and gotten to know them a little. Setsuna couldn’t remember the last time she had gone to bed feeling so welcomed, accepted and… loved? Was that the right word?

Surely, she didn’t mean to imply that she went to bed at home feeling unloved. She knew her parents loved her, even if their way of showing that love was apparently very different than Ayumu’s parents. But even having only been in the Uehara home for not even half a day, she felt loved here. They were all so kind and Setsuna hoped she could come back and experience it all again.

Setsuna closed her eyes, allowing her mind to begin yet another replay of the day. Sleep would come eventually, but right now she was content just being this happy.

----------

Author’s Notes Continued in Followup Post

[nordic-language-love]

Kitchen vocab in Norwegian (Bokmål) and Spanish

norsk | español | english

~*~

kjøkken (n) | cocina (f) | kitchen

bord (n) | mesa (f) | table

stol (m) | silla (f) | chair

ovn (m) | horno (m) | oven

vannkoker (m) | hervidor (m) | kettle

grill (m) | parrilla (f) | grill

kjøleskap (n) | refrigerador (m) | fridge

mikrobølgeovn (m) | microondas (m) | microwave

kjele (m) | cacerola (f) | saucepan

stekepanne (m/f) | sartén (f) | frying pan

kopp (m) | taza (f) | cup

tallerken (m) | plato (m) | plate

kniv (m) | cuchillo (m) | knife

gaffel (m) | tenedor (m) | fork

skje (m/f) | cuchara (f) | spoon

~*~

Please let me know if you spot any mistakes :)

[loftyangel]

rio__bakery

[balpnuh]

This week I tried to level up further in baking my own bread. After the success with the Milkbread from last weekend, I made some Koppe pan and they got really good as well. Cannot wait for making some Yakisoba pan for lunch tomorrow.

[cutepetz]

Roll bread sandwiches! In Japan I think is called Koppe Pan and is a really hot thing now! Which fillings do you like? (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/B78KZSqJRYl/?igshid=1g3w37aknrdzd

[huttson-blog]

Japan’s hot dog lookalike has landed in Melbourne — SBS.com.au

Read more at SBS.com.au

— by Audrey Bourget: From afar it might appear as a hot-dog bun, but get closer and you’ll see the coppe pan is a uniquely Japanese take on the sandwich.

The coppe pan (or koppe pan, as it’s often written) starts with a fluffy white bread roll. “It’s a different type of bread than the one you find in Melbourne,” explains Coppe Pan Japanese Bakery’s head chef Yutaka…

[svensklangblr]

KITCHEN UTENSILS in french and swedish

(le) cuisinier, (la) cuisinière - (a) chef - (en) kock

(la) cuisine - (a) kitchen - (ett) kök

(le) bol - (a) bowl - (en) skål

(la) assiette (l’assiette) - (a) plate - (en) tallrik

(la) tasse - (a) cup - (en) kopp

(le) verre - (a) glass - (ett) glas

(la) bouilloire - (a) kettle - (en) vattenkokare

(la) casserole - (a) pot - (en) gryta, (en) kastrull

(la) poêle à frire, (la) poêle - (a) pan, (a) fryingpan, (en) stekpanna

(la) cuisinière - (a) stove - (en) spis

(le) couteau - (a) knife - (en) kniv

(la) forchette - (a) fork - (en) gaffel

(la) cuillère - (a) spoon - (en) sked

(la) planche à découper - (a) cutting board - (en) skärbräda

(le) évier (l’évier) - (a) sink - (ett) handfat (l’évier is used for a sink in the kitchen, a sink in the bathroom is le lavabo)

(la) hotte, la hotte aspirante - (a) kitchen fan - (en) köksfläkt

(le) four - (an) oven - (en) ugn

(le) lave-vaisselle - (a) dishwasher - (en) diskmaskin

(le) carré vaisselle - (a) dishrag - disktrasa

(le) torchon - (a) hand towel - (en) handduk (le torchon is for the kitchen and cleaning, la serviette is a towel in bathroom)

(la) cuisinière à gaz, (la) gazinière - (a) gas oven - (en) gasugn

(la) table de cuisson à gaz - (a) gas stove - (en) gasspis

(la) cocotte minute - (a) pressure cooker - (en) tryckkokare

(la) théière - (a) teapot - (en) tekanna

(la) cafetière - (a) coffeemaker - (en) kaffekokare

(la) machine à café - (a) coffee machine - (en) kaffemaskin