#little is there because he's the oldest and SOMEONE has to inherit this career path and it might as well be nedward

[leadandblood]

I can't help it, the show's just funnier through the lense of "terror lieuts including jopson are all crozier's kids"

[shihalyfie]

“Dependable senior” Kido Jou

Continuing my thread of analyzing the Adventure characters in detail, today we’ll be talking about Jou, Adventure’s most famous disaster character whom most of us have probably started feeling may actually be the most relatable character in this cast. It’s hard not to love him, honestly, given how earnestly he works so hard at everything and yet has an unfortunate tendency to dig himself into a hole.

Let’s just cut to the chase and talk about Jou!

Jou’s family background

Adventure is of course known for its overall focus on family backgrounds, but Jou’s is fairly different from the others’ for a lot of different reasons. We never meet Jou’s parents in the series itself, only in a drama CD, but we do meet his brother, Kido Shin -- and in fact, Jou’s the only Adventure kid to have siblings outside of the group (two, in fact, although we don’t meet Shuu until 02).

Jou’s family is what’s often called an “elite” family -- one that pushes for its kids and family members to have a certain degree of “high status” through their career. Even those in non-Asian countries will probably recognize that academic achievement measurement pressure is endemic to the culture in general -- especially since Japan has standard entrance exams go all the way down to high school level -- but it is especially prominent in the case of the Kido family, and Jou’s father has been pushing all three of his sons to become doctors, largely because he wants one of them to inherit his clinic. (While it’s not as extreme as Sora’s problem with iemoto position inheritance, Jou’s position of being in inheritance pressure is not entirely dissimilar.) It also means that just being any kind of doctor isn’t enough for him -- it’s got to be one of the “dignified and prominent” kinds of doctors (heavily implied to involve surgery, given the mention of blood).

In addition, while it’s not strictly said within the series itself, it’s implied that Jou is feeling a lot of pressure in terms of being the youngest of three sons, when the older two have a huge age gap with him. Jou is only in elementary school, while his second oldest brother is in high school and his oldest brother already a medical student! (By the time Adventure is over, both brothers are in national university, which is a really tough achievement.) Within his family, Jou really is The Baby compared to two high-achieving brothers who are already “well on their way to great things”.

In order to be on the path of becoming a doctor, Jou starts off the series, only in elementary school, in the “prep school track” -- or, what’s basically a constant cycle of getting into a good school so that he can get into another good school so that he can get into another good school (et cetera). Again, Japanese schools have entrance exams as early as high school, so this is something he’ll be setting on very early. I also cannot emphasize enough that for anyone who has to go through this process, it is absolute hell. I have never met anyone who actually enjoys doing this; it’s a means to an end. It’s very hard to have your heart into this unless you want the final goal that badly -- vague promises of status alone don’t do it -- and even those who do want it often end up demotivated and going through the motions with their will broken partway into it.

And, unfortunately for Jou, he’d already had a good reason to not want to do this from day one.

Jou has severe blood phobia. (Formally called “hemophobia”, although I tend to avoid that term given that it’s one letter off from something else.) Shin even makes it clear in this scene from Adventure episode 38 that any doubts about Jou’s ability to become a doctor don’t have anything to do with his personality or abilities, but the fact is that this is, indeed, a very serious and concrete problem for someone who intends to become a doctor (or at least, again, the kind of doctor that his father wants him to be). It’s possible that Jou outright fainting at the sight of blood might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s definitely enough of a deterrent that he’s not feeling this whole thing at all, and convincing him to actually care about becoming a doctor is going to require a huge uphill battle. By default, the answer was already a huge, capital NO in giant letters before anything ever began. And yet, Jou continued to force himself to go through the motions.

It should also be made clear that while Jou’s father was pressuring him to become a doctor, he was also not trying to force Jou to become one. The drama CD where he appears had him actually outwardly encourage Jou to do whatever he wanted instead of forcing himself -- but it was also extremely clear that he was still personally very unhappy and dissatisfied with the idea of all three brothers not taking over his clinic. As much as the Kido brothers do seem to be concerned about their father’s disapproval, it’s less so out of fear of retribution and more that they just really worry about disappointing him. Hence, this is why Jou continues to follow the path even when he’s not really feeling it, and it’s important to understanding Jou as a character for the rest of this post: Jou has no personal interest in status or honor, but is motivated by his sense of duty towards other people. 

Even so, “because my father really wants me to” isn’t exactly very motivating in itself, and, all in all, Jou starts off Adventure very jaded about his future prospects, and rather demotivated and uninterested in them. But come the events of Adventure, Jou, the aforementioned “baby of the family”, gets recasted as the oldest in the group -- which becomes a huge factor in how he ends up changing his view of himself and his personal goals.

Jou in Adventure

Jou starts off the series assigned as Mimi’s camp group leader, but even Mimi senses an aura from him that he doesn’t seem very “reliable”. In this case, the word “reliable” doesn’t refer to his Crest name (which did get a dub name of “Reliability”) but rather various words that effectively mean “able to be counted on”. Which, at this early point of the story, Jou is decidedly not. Once the adventure gets off the ground, Jou easily succumbs to stress, and especially the stress and burden placed on him from being the oldest in the group.

If you’re wondering if that one-year difference between Jou and Taichi/Yamato/Sora really is that big of a deal, culturally speaking: yes, it is (especially when everyone’s at this young age), and Jou isn’t just being stickler about it. You can actually see an example of how this comes into play once they return to regular society in Adventure episode 29, when the kids are allowed to go to Hikarigaoka purely because “a sixth-grader” (Jou) is with them. This is the kind of responsibility that society normally imposes on him, and this is what he carries even into another world.

In fact, Jou’s aware even from the get-go that he’s not exactly cut out for that kind of role. From the Adventure novels:

Jou thought about it. He, too, felt sorry for the younger boy… but it would be over for his leadership if he went back on what he’d already decided. Give them an opening and they’ll soon be walking all over him. He just couldn’t have that. Jou was all too aware of his own often indecisive personality. ... When they heard what had transpired between her and Jou, Yamato and the others glared coldly in Jou’s direction. What was this, a dictatorship?

As a result, he initially rubs everyone the wrong way because, in their view, he’s trying to impose his will on everyone like some control freak, but as it turns out, being a control freak is actually part of Jou’s stress response.

Said control freakishness manifests in Jou constantly spending the early part of the series by leaning back on “the rules of society” -- including the early series running gag of him insisting that there must be “adults” there, when this is clearly not the case to everyone else present -- because, for someone like him who easily gives into stress and anxiety and has a nasty tendency to become incredibly irrational, leaning on those “rules” is some degree of comfort to him. Now that he’s been dragged into another world, he’s desperately clawing at anything that can bring his sense of “reality” back -- hence why he keeps relying on the concept of “adults”, because the truth is that he himself isn’t actually that capable of handling the situation on his own, and he’s trying to convince himself that there’s Some More Reliable Thing Out There that they can fall back on.

The infamous “egg scene” in Adventure episode 7 is certainly comedic when Jou overreacts to everyone harmlessly listing off things they like on their eggs, but things quickly take a turn for the dramatic when Jou practically has a mental breakdown over it. In the end, Jou so easily succumbs to anxiety that even little things like “being a little out of order” stress him out to no end. The world is easy to understand and explain when everything is in the right place, and chaos has a tendency to completely disorient him.

But on the other hand, it’s also in Adventure episode 7 where we learn that Jou’s control freak behavior isn’t because he actually cares about any kind of status or honor for being the oldest, but because he truly, truly feels responsible for everyone’s welfare.

“Because I’m the oldest” is a statement that Jou means in the context of him having a duty to protect everyone -- beyond everything, the one thing that does make Jou passionate is how much he truly, truly cares about other people’s welfare, to the point he impulsively throws himself onto the Black Gear-controlled Unimon and tries to yank the gear out with his bare hands. In fact, said episode demonstrates that Jou can be recklessly self-sacrificial when he wants to be, because his failed attempts at dispute resolution lead him to conclude that he should be the one to take one for the team. For all it’s worth, Jou has the right idea when it comes to trying to take leadership, because he’s very much doing this for the welfare of others more than he ever cares about himself or the glory of the position -- it’s just that, being rather reckless, rather paranoid, and not very good at actually thinking straight, his way of going about it doesn’t tend to always land right.

But it’s undeniable that he cares, and he’s trying, and this leads to a shift in how the rest of the team comes to perceive him for the rest of the series now that they understand that his intentions really are for their sake, not because he’s trying to be a jerk about it.

And that comes out to be the one most prominent trait about Jou for the rest of the series, especially in Adventure episodes 23 and 36 -- as much as an unpredictable loose cannon as he can be, he’s so loyal to his friends and determined to protect them that he would even recklessly throw himself into the line of fire for them. That’s the basis of his Crest, which is something that’s been translated half a dozen different ways, but all boil down to the same principle: he has a strong sense of duty and responsibility to other people, and will always make do on his promises to others or his desire to provide for them.

After a few of their initial bad starts, the Adventure kids never treat him badly -- in fact, both Sora and Mimi respectfully call him “Jou-senpai” as if to acknowledge his position over them in school, something that’s stuck very well with the actual fanbase (more on this later). Of course, everyone tends to get exasperated at him or worry about whether he’ll actually pull through on anything he attempts, but the majority of the humor revolving around Jou in Adventure has very little to do with anyone insulting or tormenting him, and more that he tends to be so dramatic and high-strung that he kind of digs himself into a hole. (Like how he tries to angrily chastise everyone for spending their money on food in Adventure episode 30, only for the revelation that he’s starving himself to kick in and for him to sink into the exact opposite extreme.) Ultimately, everyone comes to understand that Jou’s working really hard for their sake, so they cut him a bit of slack.

In fact, while Taichi initially complains about Jou sitting out of their trip to Shibaura to find the eighth child for the sake of entrance exam studies in Adventure episode 32, the kids strike a compromise by dumping all of their phone call work on him. Of course, this is a bit of “revenge” for him not accompanying them, but it is effectively the other kids respecting his right to sit out and not have to completely give up on his real life obligations even in the middle of the eighth child search, by allowing him to participate in the search in a way that’s more convenient for him.

But despite diligently sticking to the motions, Jou doesn’t actually emotionally care about all of this. We even get a hint of this in Adventure episode 35 -- Jou gets what he calls “the worst grade in his life,” presumably due to all of the stress he’d been going through lately, having just gotten back from the Digital World and all. He also bounces back incredibly quickly, saying that he’ll have to call and inform his parents he’ll be back late.

In the end, Jou doesn’t really care about his grades or performance when it comes to cram school, even despite insisting on sticking to it, because he’s just not feeling it. He doesn’t even want to be a doctor all that much; he has no true motivation and no reason to care. (The only time Jou is ever portrayed as actually liking doing any kind of studying at all rather than doing it as obligation is when everyone’s listing off what they miss doing in Adventure episode 6, but it’s in a context where everyone’s talking about missing home, so it’s more of him missing his daily routine and what’s “familiar” to him than anything else.) He went through the motions, and was slightly disappointed about the grade, but the “ultimate goal” of becoming a doctor had no personal meaning to him, and so he shrugs it all off.

Jumping in physical danger to save someone’s life? That’s a no-brainer -- Jou would easily throw himself into the line of fire to do so, because he’s so passionate about protecting other people and taking responsibility for them that he’ll gladly sacrifice himself for anyone else in a heartbeat. But this whole thing about becoming a doctor and his future career is such a vague thing that he doesn’t even want that it’s arguably more of his “required daily routine” than it’s actually something he cares about all that much.

And so, we finally meet Kido Shin, in Adventure episode 38 -- he’s the oldest of the Kido brothers, already a medical student, and, ostensibly, the one closest to their father’s goal of having doctor sons. Yet his first appearance indicates that even he doesn’t have it all together, either -- he sleeps in the closet (Jou didn’t even know about this!), and somehow just slept through all of his surroundings being kidnapped. So even one of Jou’s apparent models is a bit of a disaster himself -- and, more importantly, Shin leaves some advice with Jou that sticks with him for the rest of the series.

Shin does not intend to be a doctor in the way their father wants him to be (remember, he specifically wants them to take over his clinic). This is Jou’s first time hearing about this, which is important because it means it’s the first time Jou is having such a major shakeup to his likely perception of Shin as a “prior example” -- and Shin knows this, because he promptly uses himself as an example of why Jou should also be free to choose his own path. Jou being the Kido family’s “baby” especially comes out in the novel, because Shin implies that he thinks Shuu would feel independent enough to not need any advice about this, whereas Jou definitely needs it.

We don’t get follow-up on this until after they return to the Digital World, and Mimi witnessing a handful of deaths and eventually Taichi and Yamato falling out brings her to her emotional limit; Jou decides to take responsibility for her, and while part of it is presumably because he’s had charge of her as her camp group leader since the beginning, it’s also clear that the recent events in the Digital World are weighing on him in their own way, as are Shin’s words about finding his own path.

What he wanted to tell her was this: that he didn’t see any likelihood of co-existing with the Dark Masters, and that they had no other choice but to fight them. Even a neutral country like Switzerland had a military. They would be invaded by enemy countries without one. It would be nice and ideal if they used the nonviolent resistance approach as Ghandi did. But that didn’t mean it was okay to just be killed without lifting a finger… But not even he could find a good answer.

QUESTION: Under what circumstances is it okay to battle?

That sort of question would never appear on a school test, and he’d never once thought about it before…

But on their way, Jou and Mimi encounter Ogremon and Leomon, and for the first time, Jou’s peripheral knowledge of medicine from his father starts having a practical use -- up until then, “becoming a doctor” had only been something that he’d been following for a vague sense of status that he didn’t even want, but here, Jou starts to see the connection between that goal and what it would mean for what he wants: to be able to help people right in front of him. Shortly after, when Leomon’s death turns out to involve injuries beyond that a sixth-grader can take care of with his limited supplies (”toilet paper won’t fix this!”), Jou is suddenly hit with a certain sense of reality: if Jou wants to truly help others, there is much more of a skillset he’s going to need to gather in order to do so.

So by the time of Adventure episode 50, Shin’s words now weigh so much on Jou that he’s even dreaming about them, and he finally internalizes those words of “everyone taking their own path”. In short, this is Jou acknowledging that fighting isn’t the only way to meaningfully contribute -- after all, Mimi has a severe aversion to fighting or seeing more casualties and thus can better meaningfully contribute by gathering allies to work together, while Taichi and Koushirou are directly in the front lines.

Jou, ostensibly, decides to go off and find Yamato, but there’s another layer under this: Jou admits that he’s not very strong, so much to the point that he doesn’t think Gomamon will reach Ultimate, and feels like there should be “something only he can do”. The full answer to what Jou started touching on here, and what he ends up doing thereafter, is stated in explicit words in Two-and-a-Half Year Break:

When we were in the Digital World last summer, many of the Digimon got injured and died. I couldn’t do anything for them, even though I was a doctor’s son. I don’t want to ever feel useless again! Not when someone is hurt in front of me. The Digital World doesn’t have a doctor. They need someone who’ll be able to heal them. Even now, I carry around a simple first-aid kit just in case the Gate opens again. Because of it, my bag is always crammed. And my arms are becoming muscular. [laughs] Really! By the way, I have a problem. Of course, I’ll be doing regular doctor studies, but I’ll be treating Digimon, you know? Don’t you think I’ll need to study veterinary medicine too in order to heal them? 

And thus, Jou finds the all-important link that actually motivates him to want to become a doctor -- the one thing that had always been a constant about Kido Jou was that he could not leave people behind when they needed help right in front of him. Or in other words, he has a marvelous case of Good Samaritan syndrome (a whole eleven years before Kudou Taiki, at that!). “Feeling useless” is pretty much on the very, very top of the list of things he hates the most. And, by his own admission, “fighting” is not really his specialty, and he doesn’t even particularly like it himself.

But he wants to meaningfully contribute in some way, and now, here’s an option that isn’t fighting: he has the roots in a talent for treating the wounded and preventing casualties that way. All he has to do is hone it. And just like how Shin decided that he specifically wanted to be a doctor in a place where a doctor would be needed most, Jou also decides he specifically wants to be a doctor for the Digital World, because that is something he can meaningfully provide for instead of becoming a doctor for the status.

He’s still going to disappoint his father this way, but never mind that: he’s found something that he wants, and it’s his own path, like Shin told him to follow. And yes, that means even if he has to fight his own blood phobia to do so.

And this becomes very important to how he’s able to confidently help bring Sora out of her darkness-induced spiel in Adventure episode 51, where she -- who has a problem with a compulsive tendency to burn herself out in helping others -- starts falling into despair because she caves to the pressure of having to save everyone. Yamato and Jou, together, simply re-shift her frame of mindset: it’s not that being a Chosen Child is about trying and failing to fulfill a particular duty, it’s that there’s a situation happening and they are actively making the choice to do everything they can. Because, really, Jou himself understands it best -- he’s never been someone good at doing things because other people tell him to, he’s someone who’s gotten this far because of his own personal sense of responsibility and priorities being so strong, and that’s why he’s capable of pushing on with his own path and what he wants.

02 and beyond

Jou was, unfortunately, forced to sit out the events of Our War Game!, but as far as blaming him for it goes, it’s really hard to; he had no idea this was going on at all, and by the time the incident had hit climax, he was already in the test room and impossible to be contacted. (You can imagine he was probably quite upset about not having been able to help out afterwards.) As for why nobody tries to pull him out the way they do end up pulling him aside a few times in 02, it’s because this isn’t just a practice exam for prep school -- this is THE exam. Remember, this kind of lifestyle involves a chain of needing to get into a good school to get into a good school to get into a good school, and Jou is aiming for a national university like his brothers; this actually could impact the rest of his career, and given that the other kids respect how important this is to him, it’s also understandable that they’d be a bit hesitant to pull him aside from this.

We’re first properly reintroduced to Jou in 02 episode 5. Unlike Taichi, Yamato, Sora, and Koushirou, Jou does not attend Odaiba Middle School, which means that, assuming that the Adventure universe Odaiba is like the real-life one in which Odaiba (Koyo) Elementary and Middle are the only schools on the island, Jou regularly spends his school and prep school days off the island and quite separated from the others. Instead, Jou attends a private middle school (hence why he had to take an exam to get in), presumably one that’s intended to help him on the medical school track.

But despite that, his first major scene in the series is to ditch prep school to go help Gomamon. For someone who doesn’t know Jou very well, this probably would seem appalling -- that someone so studious would be so willing to ditch at the drop of a hat -- but anyone who does know him well would probably not be surprised; after all, “being a doctor” is still a far-off dream, whereas Gomamon needs help now, and the number one thing Jou can’t stand is to leave people in need behind.

Unlike with Taichi, Yamato, Sora, and Koushirou, who all have some degree of connection to the 02 juniors in some way (Taichi and Yamato being Hikari and Takeru’s brothers, Taichi and Sora having known Daisuke from the soccer club, and Koushirou having known Miyako from the soccer club), Jou is a complete stranger when he’s introduced to Daisuke, Miyako, and Iori, with Digimon-related work being the only connection they have to him at all. Despite that, the new 02 kids, being well-behaved juniors who really look up to their elders, immediately endear themselves well to him -- in fact (you can thank @takerusfedora​ for this observation), Miyako squishing Poromon in delight upon seeing him, and the context she usually does this in, hints that she might even see him as attractive. (Considering that he’s a prospective medical student from an elite family, this probably shouldn’t be too surprising.)

While the fact he’s medical school bound isn’t explicitly brought up in the series itself, the fact he’s well on that path is already pretty evident by his actions, given that he comes stocked with heating pads and other medical supplies, just in case. Takeru comments on him always being prepared -- because he’s constantly thinking of other people and how he can be useful to them.

This episode also marks the beginning of a particular relationship between Jou and Iori, which is quite an interesting one considering that we’re talking about the oldest and the youngest of the group of eleven (not quite twelve yet) Tokyo Chosen Children at this point. As many point out even within this episode, Jou and Iori have a lot in common, and it’s likely Jou sees a bit of himself in Iori -- someone who has a firm insistence on principles (even beyond the point of practicality), but also is protective of others and hates to see them hurt. Not only that, Iori had even gotten a similar lesson from his grandfather earlier in the episode about the importance of “making one’s own decisions” -- and so, the two share common ground in Iori having ditched his “duty” to practice kendo with his grandfather that day in order to help Gomamon, and Jou having done likewise via ditching his prep school classes. Because Iori will always have more kendo lessons, and this certainly won’t be the last prep school class Jou has, but these are effectively two kindred spirits who care so much about friends in need that prioritizing them over all else is non-negotiable.

Jou compliments Iori by calling him “dependable”, which is a huge compliment coming from someone who, at this point of the story, regularly attracts comments like “dependable senior”. 02-era Jou gets this kind of reference a lot in press materials and fan descriptions of him, because now that he’s matured a bit and isn’t as prone to making ridiculous, reckless decisions or being as emotionally high-strung, his on-point aspects like being very on-task and always keeping his word are much more visible.

Well, that said, he still kind of starts screaming loudly as soon as he hears his dad is supposedly in trouble in the middle of his exam in 02 episode 16, so he’s still a little emotionally high-strung. But never mind that!

As usual (especially since this is most likely a practice exam, one of many Jou will be taking for the next year), Jou doesn’t mind being interrupted all that much; it’s not like exams are any fun anyway, so of course Jou doesn’t really care about being pulled from it, especially when Daisuke and the others are literally suffocating to death at that exact moment.

Unfortunately, for Iori, this entire incident is a convergence of things totally eating away at his psyche; he’s still blaming himself for everyone being trapped down there, he’s just placed a burden on Jou, and his grandfather had just said that lying is the worst thing that one could ever do, so now Iori thinks of himself a horrible, undeserving person. But Jou is someone who empathizes with being so stuck on “principles” that you forget the big picture, and reframes it in a way Iori can understand: lies are bad when they hurt people, but in this case, not lying would have led to much, much worse happening, and both Iori and Jou share that common ground of absolutely hating the feeling of standing by and doing nothing while others are in trouble.

We also finally meet the third (or, technically, second) Kido brother in 02 episode 33, Kido Shuu -- and while we don’t see him interact directly with Jou (at least, not until the drama CD), what we learn about him contextualizes Jou’s situation even further: Shuu not only decided to leave the path of inheriting his father’s clinic, he’d also decided to ditch the medical school path entirely, switching to humanities because he was so fascinated by Professor Takenouchi’s work. That’s a pretty drastic shift, but, as Shin had said in the novel, Shuu is the type to be independent enough to do whatever he wants without Shin even having to advise him of this, and given that he made this decision less than a year after the events of Adventure, it was likely a huge motivator in Jou deciding that their prior “example” of being medical students wasn’t necessarily something he needed to follow when both of his own brothers weren’t even following that standard anymore to begin with.

And, much like with Jou, Shuu’s new chosen profession also brings him closer to the Digimon, except in an “understanding more about them” sense rather than Jou’s medical sense. So, just like Shin wanted, all three brothers found their own paths.

In Diablomon Strikes Back, Jou is thankfully blessed with being much more available to deal with the conflict; he starts off stuck in a long line to register for high school in the midst of scrambled records, but comes to assist Daisuke and Ken with a bike as soon as he’s able. This movie being quite the comedic one, you get to see a bit of his disaster tendencies slip back in as he scrambles to help everyone -- but, as always, he’s doing his best.

A lot of people have also pointed out that the movie spends an awful amount of scenes depicting him in the company of the girl he borrowed the bike from, which has led to a few amusing extrapolations, but at the base level implies that he at the very least wanted to make absolute sure that her bike was safely returned to her once everything is over -- after all, Jou would hate to be responsible for someone losing a bike, or in debt to someone. He’s someone who fulfills his obligations, after all.

By the time Jou actually is in medical school in Kizuna, he truly has become among the crowd too busy to participate regularly in Digimon incident tackling (similar to Sora and Mimi), but To Sora indicates that he’s still keeping tabs on everyone through their group chat and emotionally supporting them, and it’s made clear in both the short and the overall movie that the rest of the group is sympathetic to and understanding of how difficult life is to juggle with all of this. Not only that, much like how Jou stated back in Adventure that he was looking for a way to meaningfully contribute and help out besides just fighting, Jou plays an important role in using his position to tend to all of the Eosmon kidnapping victims.

At least, until he ends up becoming a victim himself and is actually dragged into the fight -- and, now that he’s actually on the spot and the conflict is right in front of him, he approaches it with enthusiastic gusto, indicating that he’s still able to be as emotionally high-strung as ever.

We get more info on Jou in his Memorial Story short, “Kido Jou: Medical Student” (which takes place at some unspecified point before the movie), where we learn that Gomamon is still worried about how much that blood phobia thing might impact Jou’s career, and “tests” him by having himself and Agumon pose as mock victims. Jou, very tired and not in a mood to play, snaps at him (rather understandably, given that Gomamon is kind of being a bit insensitive here), but when Gomamon is injured, Jou immediately puts everything aside to help him, even through -- yep -- blood.

Again, it’s not entirely clear how severe Jou’s blood phobia was back when he was a kid, but it’s at least put on the table that Jou’s figured out a way to push past that in order to fulfill his dream, and especially when it involves a loved one being hurt in front of him. Jou tires himself out pretty badly with the work, but hey -- he used to jump recklessly into physical line of fire for his friends, so of course that kind of thing is nothing to him. (But he still apparently is a bit lacking in the confidence department.)

Because Jou was lucky enough to be able to concretely decide on what he wanted to do as early as elementary school, Jou’s epilogue career is naturally the single most straightforward, and really just amounts to “you know that thing he wanted to do? He did it.” And indeed, he becomes the Digital World’s first doctor -- presumably not inheriting his father’s clinic, nor following a high-status expected path, but choosing to become a pioneer in a place he has a deep emotional stake in, in a place where he’s needed because there are no alternatives. And, of course, he’s depicted treating Ogremon, who was effectively Jou’s first “patient” all the way in Adventure, the first step in him realizing that this was his path, and his alone.

Meta

Jou occupies an interesting position in the Digimon fanbase in terms of memes, considering that there’s a fanbase meme of over a decade where anything relevant to him gets people spamming “JOOOOOOOOOOOOO” (with varying levels of Os). Being a comedic but lovable character who tries his hardest but repeatedly runs himself into a corner, he also happens to resonate much harder with the adults in the audience rewatching the series, because all of us as disaster adults can just so easily look at him and go “oh, that’s me.” He also seems to be inexorably tied to the word “senpai”, given that so many characters call him that (including the 02 kids, who never went to school with him); after a certain point it’s hard to dispute that he (especially in 02) exudes this kind of “dependable senior” aura, and, like with “Ken-chan”, the Japanese fanbase has a tendency to constantly use “Jou-senpai” all of the time to refer to him affectionately.

His Japanese voice actor, Kikuchi Masami, also holds the distinction of having been in nearly every Digimon TV series to date (the only exception, as of this writing, being Appmon), with him having been Jou (and Jou’s entire family of two brothers, his mother, and his father) in Adventure and 02, Dolphin and Grani in Tamers, Neemon in Frontier and Adventure:, Kurata in Savers, and Damemon in Xros Wars. (Him being the absolutely despicable Kurata in contrast to the endearing and lovable Jou has been cited as quite a shock to many.) There’s been many a joke about Kikuchi’s constant presence, but Jou is undeniably his most iconic role for the franchise, and you can also imagine it’s conversely gotten a lot of people to fondly think of him every time Kikuchi reappears.

[thatbloodymuggle]

READY TO RUN (prologue)

SUMMARY: in a world where everyone has a predetermined match, JJ Maybank and Y/N Montgomery want nothing to do with theirs. it has to be a cruel joke; the universe forcing two people to love each other when they don’t know how.

PAIRING: jj maybank x reader / soulmate au

WORD COUNT: 1.6k

MASTERLIST

✰✰✰

The Montgomery Mansion is the pinnacle of Figure Eight. Built sometime between the American Revolution and the Civil War, it is one of the few remaining antebellum homes in the Outer Banks. The massive white pillars and evenly spaced windows lined by a balcony are a paragon of beauty. Through the daunting doors of the center entrance lies an extravagant chandelier and sweeping, marble staircase leading to dozens of rooms. The beauty of the surrounding garden and Grecian-style symmetry is picturesque. A Kook’s dream. The Montgomery Mansion encapsulates the affluence of the elite community of the Outer Banks.

Inside the magnificent mansion lives an even more magnificent family. The Montgomery family; deep-rooted in the South and dripping in old money.

The Montgomery family has passed down the beautiful property through generations. Today, it is home to Clyde and Margaret Montgomery.

Clyde and Margaret are the epic Nicholas Sparks novel every teenage girl dreams of. They attended Princeton University together in the same class. Despite their strong soulmate bond, the pair didn’t find each other until the end of their 4 years when they were named co-valedictorians. Clyde, a smart, southern gentleman, and Margaret, a strong-willed, southern lady. Both battling for the top spot, but also each other’s perfect match as decided by—well, no one really knows who determines soulmate bonds. 

Along with their Princeton degrees, Clyde and Margaret’s pride and joy are their daughters.

Ellie-Mae Montgomery is the oldest of the bunch at 24. After spending four years at UVA and passing her MCAT with flying colors, she was admitted into Johns Hopkins medical school where she studies currently. She lives in her own estate in the surrounding DC area with her soulmate, Andrew, whom she met her sophomore year of college. Andrew is the son of the CEO of a major tech development company, which he will be inheriting soon. A doctor and a future CEO--Clyde and Margaret couldn’t be happier. Despite living away from home, Ellie-Mae makes sure to visit her loving family in the Outer Banks every now and then.

Next is Dixie Montgomery at 21. The second-oldest is about to start her senior year at Duke playing for the field hockey team. After being named to the U.S. national field hockey team several years in a row, she is training with Team USA as an Olympic hopeful. In addition to being a top-rated athlete, Dixie is also a political science major who has interned with Fox News in New York City for the past 4 summers, where she met her soulmate, Brad. Clyde and Margaret Montgomery love Brad: a former quarterback for Alabama, where he graduated with high honors in hopes of going into politics alongside Dixie. The (debatably) perfect conservative, southern couple, some would say.

The youngest of the bunch is Georgia Montgomery, an energetic 14-year-old. Despite her young age, she too has an impressive résumé. Valedictorian for her 8thgrade class, class president, a state title-holder in tennis, and a Stanford hopeful. Although she is yet to meet her own soulmate, Clyde and Margaret are sure she will have a smart, handsome young man join the family. Georgia is the Montgomery baby, and could never do wrong.

Finally there is Y/N Montgomery at 17 years old; older than Georgia, but listed last (she suffers from a severe case of middle-child syndrome). Her parents and teachers could tell even from a young age that Y/N wouldn’t be like her sisters in any regard. She was never quite so quick to pick up on math, and was always a grade-level behind with her reading. An average student at best; even with the thousands of dollars her parents spent monthly on her private tutor. Clyde and Margaret quickly realized their third-born didn’t have the wit of her two older sisters, So, they enrolled her in piano lessons and a multitude of sports to compensate for where she lacked in school. Y/N was quite good at field hockey and lacrosse, but Y/N was also greatly uninterested in both. The chronic disappointment clouding her parent’s eyes forced down her complaints. It was already embarrassing enough being the average daughter of Princeton graduates, so the least she could do was attend practices without complaint.

But piano, well, piano was another story. Y/N loved playing piano. It was clear from the moment a shy, 7-year-old Y/N stepped into Madame Ivanov’s studio that she was dripping with musical talent. Despite being a little slower when it came to numbers and letters, Y/N zoomed through sheet music and her fingers fell naturally onto the keyboard. As Y/N grew older, she advanced at a rapid pace. Now, at 17-years-old, her bedroom wall is completely covered in medals, trophies, state titles, and even national awards.

Yet despite her accomplishments, her piano trophies never quite amounted to Dixie and Georgia’s field hockey and tennis ones, or Ellie-Mae’s academic medals and diplomas. While Y/N’s talent on the piano was great to show off at house parties in the ballroom of the Montgomery Mansion, Clyde and Margaret never believed it was anything to make a career out of, let alone study in college. They believed the arts were virtually useless skills.

What troubled Margaret and Clyde most of all about Y/N wasn’t her lack of motivation or her obsession with futile things. It was her soulmate bond.

It’s normal to feel your soulmate’s pain. Margaret and Clyde could remember when Ellie-Mae cried to them at 15-years-old when Andrew broke his leg, and when Dixie had to sit out of a few field hockey games after Brad got a concussion. Even Georgia had begun to feel occasional twinges of papercuts and bruises. These instances never bothered Clyde and Margaret. Everyone gets injured sometimes. 

Y/N, on the other hand, was a different story.

It felt like every other week she was gritting her teeth through the pain of her soulmate breaking a bone. Not to mention the almost daily punches to their face, kicks to their side, and splitting of their knuckles from fighting back. Whoever her soulmate was, they were constantly getting into trouble. This severely worried Clyde and Margaret. Not for Y/N’s, well-being, no. They worried for what scum their daughter may be destined to be with, and how it could tarnish their perfect reputation in Figure Eight.

Y/N trained herself since she was about 10 or 11 to hide the pain of her soulmate. But sometimes, it was just too much. Sometimes, she couldn’t help but cry out when that invisible, bone-crushing punch hit her square in the nose in the middle of dinner. Her parents’ reactions were always the same. Margaret’s face would pale while Clyde’s would redden in anger and embarrassment. Margaret would yank her daughter aside, nails digging into her arm, and scold her for embarrassing the family if they were in public. If they were alone, Clyde would snap at her and send her up to her room.

Y/N tried her very best to conceal it, for the disappointment clouding her parents’ faces was far worse than the physical pain of her other half.

For years Y/N blamed herself. It was her fault she wasn’t as smart as Ellie-Mae, Dixie, or even Georgia. And why couldn’t she look forward to field hockey and lacrosse practices? Why did the one thing she love have to be the one thing her parents didn’t care about? And above all, why couldn’t she just have a normal soulmate?

Y/N grew to detest her soulmate. She was already enough of an embarrassment to a perfect family. To top it all off, she had a soulmate who was an embarrassment as well. All Y/N ever wanted was approval from her parents. She just wanted to make them proud. But she never would—all because of someone she no longer wanted. In Y/N’s eyes, they were the reason for so much of her pain—physical and emotional—and she dreaded the day she would find them.

To most, soulmates are a blessing.

To Y/N Montgomery, soulmates are a fucking curse.

-

JJ Maybank feels guilty. He always has. He feels guilty for not being a better friend, for not being a better son, and for stumbling along his father’s path. Above all, he feels guilty for inflicting pain upon his soulmate. 

JJ can take the punches. In fact, he deals them out half of the time. But the knowledge that someone else is getting a beating they definitely don’t deserve weighs on him. It weighs even heavier when he feels his soulmate place an ice pack over his bruises to ease the pain. It makes him feel horrible, but he doesn’t stop getting into fights. And he still comes home every night to his father. 

What JJ feels guiltiest about isn’t the pain he inflicts upon his soulmate daily; it’s the impending pain they will feel when they realize he doesn’t want them back.

JJ doesn’t want a soulmate. He doesn’t need anyone else to leave him, and he doesn’t need anyone else to disappoint. Everything he touches he destroys. 

JJ only has the Pogues, and he wants to keep it that way. It’s not just about some French Revolution-like class war; he can’t afford to let anyone else get close to him. John B, Kiara, and Pope don’t expect anything from him. They don’t expect him to do good and they aren’t phased when he fucks up. They don’t ask him for anything. That’s why it works. Because every time JJ gives, he loses.

To most, soulmates are a blessing.

To JJ Maybank, soulmates are a fucking curse.

[olboypacman]

Chapter 3. Three Way Dance (Dark Knights, Darker Queens)

A/N: I claim no ownership of Yandere Simulator, Ouran Highschool Host Club or any associated characters or trademarks.

****

The seven hosts come upon the front of the property hosting Akademi Highschool. Its white stone tile pathways beckoning the visitors forward.

It’s just after 4 o’clock, the hosts having arrived not long after classes have dismissed.

Students are passing by them, the females in uniforms identical to Oka’s black jacket with red accents, skirt and white shirt with red bow, and the males with matching styled uniforms, except that they’re wearing a tie instead of a bow and slacks instead of skirts. The various students appear to be heading home or to do whatever off campus after school activities them may have planned as the host club congregates at the front of the property.

“It’s no Ouran, but I guess it’s pretty impressive,” said Hikaru, as the hosts begin to make their way to the pathway, the twin shooting flirtatious smiles at the girls passing them who’s stare lingers on the group.

“Well, not every school can be as well funded as Ouran, Hikaru. But still, for a commoner’s school it’s not bad.” Said Tamaki, as followed Hikaru’s lead smiling at passersby.

“On the contrary, Tamaki. Akademi’s actually pretty well funded, the school being backed the Saikou Corporation,” responded Kyoya.

“Huh,” said Tamaki, “if this is the case, why have I never heard of it?”

“It’s because you rich bastards live in a bubble,” said Haruhi, showing subdued smiles of her own at the young women of Akademi as they pass them by, following the lead of her clubmates.

“What was that, Haruhi?” Asked Kyoya.

“Nothing, Senpai. Though, I guess it is nice gesture that such a big and successful company would bankroll a school like this.”

As Kyoya said, Akademi was in fact a school with the financial backing of Saikou Corp.

His background check on Oka (and information provided by Reiko) had of course led him to Akademi, which in turn lead him down an interesting path.

Kyoya initially thought also it was simply a philanthropic endeavor on behalf of the organization, as the company and the family behind it are based in Buraza Town.

But he found its origins maybe a bit more peculiar than a successful company simply giving back.

It’s rumored that Saisho Saikou, founder and former CEO of the Saikou Corporation, had founded the school for his daughter as sort of a grooming program as for she would eventually take the reins of the organization when Saisho retired. However, for one reason or another, she left it all behind and it was her brother who eventually inherited the company.

He also found that some of the very best students are fast tracked to a position within the Saikou Corporation upon completion of their education, and as it now stands (if the rumors are true), the current CEO’s oldest child, Megami Saikou is currently attending, the implication being she’s currently being groomed as the next head of the company.

There’s was also another rumor he had heard.

There’s a supposed predatory hacker lurking the halls of Akademi, whom may or may not be in the employ of Saikou Corp.

Info-chan.

There was no other name Kyoya could ascertain.

It’s believed that this ‘Info-chan’ is into many illegitimate activities including, but not limited to selling illicit photos of her classmates, blackmail, and corporate espionage. It’s scary that such a person would even be aloud to exist within these wall, unless this ‘Info-chan’ has dirt on the head administrator or even the Saikous themselves.

Definity not a situation the third son of the Ootori’s wants to find him or his friends in.

Which reminds me, thought Kyoya.

“Everyone,” said Kyoya aloud, as the members of Ouran’s Host Club came upon the front gate. “Before we officially enter, please heed my advice. Don’t use any Wi-Fi networks, as a matter of fact, put all your phones on airplane mode and do not use any free-standing charging stations.”

As the other hosts complied with Kyoya’s request and then crossed the gate. Haruhi approaches him.

“Senpai, tell me you didn’t.” She said.

“I haven’t the faintest of what you mean, Haruhi,” Kyoya responded, risking the wrath of his favorite kohai.

“So, you didn’t run a background check on Oka-chan?” She asked, folding her arms across her chest, already knowing his answer.

“I can neither confirm nor deny such accusations,” said Kyoya, adjusting his glasses.

“Damnit, Kyoya-senpai! We agreed you wouldn’t do that! Are you trying to ruin Mori-senpai’s chances with Oka-chan!?”

“You’ll find I agreed to no such thing, if I recall correctly. Besides, when have you known me to walk into a situation unprepared.”

“We’re accompanying a friend to ask a girl out! What could possibly go wrong, Senpai!?”

Kyoya hums at her, taking his glasses off pulling a handkerchief from is jacket pocket and begins cleaning them off. “You’re right, Haruhi. This should be simple. But I’ve read some interesting things last night,” he levels his gaze to the natural host, his cold façade temporarily broken, “things that could potentially put you all at risk. I’m just taking the necessary steps to make sure nothing happens to you all.”

“OK, fine, Senpai.” She said nodding her understanding of his point. “So, you did run a background check on Oka-chan, what is it about her that has you so spooked?”

“It’s not Oka, Haruhi. She’s harmless as near as I can tell. But, there maybe someone in this school who could prove to be problematic.”

The pair then approach the hosts at the gate as they’re being fussed over by a tanned, blonde-haired teacher, a coach perhaps, based on the red tracksuit she’s wearing.

“Oh, my goodness, are you gentlemen models? Is the school being prepped for a shoot?” She said.

“No ma’am,” said Tamaki, as he smiled at the older woman, taking her hand in his, “though I see how one would make that mistake, we are not models nor are we here for a shoot. My friend here,” he said gesturing to Mori, “seems to have been struck lovesick by one of your students, and we’re searching for her.”

“Oh, my how romantic!” She exclaimed. “Do you happen to know the name of this student? I may be able to point you in the right direction.”

“Oka Ruto,” said Kyoya, getting the attention of woman as he and Haruhi closed the distance between the hosts and the coach.

Her blue eyes flashed in recognition at bespectacled young man.

She pulls her hand from Tamaki’s as she exclaims, “Kyoya Ootori!”

“Taiso-san, how have you been? I had no idea you took on a career in education,” said Kyoya.

“I’ve been great, Kyoya-kun. Though things have slowed down since my Olympic days, I very much enjoy my work here!”

“Wait, Taiso,” said Haruhi, “as in Kyoshi Taiso. The swimmer? The one who won 23 gold medals?”

“Guilty as charged,” she said red-faced woman at the mentioning of her past accomplishments.

“How do you know Senpai, Taiso-san?” Asked Kaoru.

“Oh, the Ootori Group was one of my sponsors during my time in the Olympics. I’ve also been friends with his sister, Fuyumi, for as long as I can remember. My goodness, I remember when he was a little boy. He was so adorable and here he is now as a handsome young man. Anyways, you guys are here to see Oka-chan? She’s usually with her group of friends depending of one of her group’s club activities. Although…” she trailed off, concern adorning her face as she looks away from Kyoya.

“What is it, Taiso-san?” Implored Kyoya.

“A friend of hers, Ayano Aishi. Up until recently, I always got strange vibes from that girl. I mean she didn’t seem dangerous, but still, something about her creeped me out. Something about her seemed, unnatural, robotic. It was her eyes, grey and dull, like a doll’s. She always seemed like she was pretending to emote, pretending to appear normal.” Responded Kyoshi.

“Hmm,” responded Kyoya, “you said ‘until recently’, what did you mean by that?”

“She doesn’t seem like she’s pretending anymore, she seems to be much more normal, I guess. I think being around Budo-kun and Midori-chan have changed her for the better. But she still creeps me out. She’s also fiercely protective of her friends, Oka-chan especially. I want you boys to be extra careful around her, OK, Kyoya-kun.”

“Of course, when have you known an Ootori to be careless.” Said Kyoya.

Kyoshi nods her head in a farewell as the host club retreats to a nearby bench to come up with a plan of attack as far as finding Oka.

“I think Taiso-san might be wrong about Ayano. Anyone who’s has Budo’s heart can’t possibly be that bad.” Honey piped up.

“Be that as it may, I suggest we do be careful.” Said Kyoya.

“Is that why you had us put our phones on airplane mode, Senpai?” Said Kaoru.

“Hmm, you know me so well, Kaoru,” he responded.

“So how do you think we should go about searching for Oka-chan. It’s like Hikaru said, this place is no Ouran, but Akademi is still a lot of ground to cover.” Said Tamaki.

“It’s simple Tamaki, we split up.” Suggested Kyoya.

****

Tamaki never thought he’d see a day where his looks would be a burden.

About every girl that crosses his path stops him, trying to flirt or otherwise trying to get his attention. He lays on the charm as he always does, puts on that million-dollar smile of his and tries to move on as courteously as he can.

As he makes his from this most recent crowd of young women, he sees who he’s looking for.

The navy-blue haired girl is seated in an area at one of four tables, with awnings over the top of them, a wall of the school to her back with 3 vending machines and 2 water fountains to situated on it. She’s seated with two other young women, one with short aqua blue shaded hair and red eyes, her face in a book, occasionally contributing the conversation the other two are having. The other young woman has dark grey eyes and long black hair styled in a ponytail with a bang over her forehead styled towards the right and two side bangs on either side of her head and is speaking with Oka as they both nurse a canned drink of some kind.

Presumably one of two other young women Oka’s seated with is this Ayano Aishi Taiso-san expressed her apprehension over. But she appears to just a schoolgirl from where Tamaki’s standing. How dangerous can she be?

Wait, thinks Tamaki, isn’t Ayano Aishi the young lady that participated in that tournament not too long ago? The one that Budo charged security over?

He thinks back to that weekend, witnessing first-hand how much pain that young lady wrought to make it to the semi-finals of that tournament.

Perhaps she’s not as harmless as she seems at first glance, he thinks further. And he then he wonders just how dangerous this Ayano could be.

Best to tread carefully then, Ouran’s Host Club President thinks, showing rare awareness that he can be at times, rather grating.

The coast seems clear for now, so at the risk of being stopped by another group of girls, he makes a beeline straight to Oka Ruto and her the two friends she’s seated with.

He stops dead before he completes a full stride, a young woman that seemingly has come from nowhere is now blocking his path.

Her skin is an unnatural tan, but she manages to pull the look off. She has wavy blonde hair styled into a large ponytail with a light blue butterfly clip on her right bang. She’s wearing heavy makeup and she’s dressed in a uniform matching the other female students he’s seen, but she’s wearing loose socks on her shins. Her pale blue eyes are trained the expert host, a glow of want evident in them as her face is adorned by a ravenous, lustful smile.

“OH. EM. GEE. How is it a cutie like yourself hasn’t asked me out yet!? There’s this restaurant my dad takes me too who’s food is just to die for!” She closes the distance between them and gently puts her hands on his chest, using the excuse of smoothing out imaginary wrinkles in his suit coat to feel him up.

Tamaki instantly recognizes her type.

Spoiled rotten beyond all hope.

While his patience for these types is incredibly small, the young woman before him could prove useful to get Oka’s attention without tempting the wrath of Ayano.

He cracks that trade smile of his at the shorter girl, takes her hand left hand in his right, “And may I have my princess’ name?”

“Princess?” She says softly, taking his bait. “Musume Ronshaku, and yours, cutie?”

“Suoh. Tamaki Suoh.”

“Well what do you say, Tamaki-kun, we get out of here and get better acquainted?”

“Well, Musume-chan,” he said, running finger temptingly under her chin as he brought his face temptingly closer to hers, “it sounds lovely, but,” he continued, not much space between them, “there’s something I came here to do, and there’s very lovely young woman who’d be hurt and disappointed if I took another lady on a date.”

“Then let’s get out of here and…” she stops for a beat, recognizing she’d been refused, “wait, what?” She exclaimed; befuddlement evident on her face.

“There’s already a young lady of whom my heart belongs and is actually here to assist a friend to win the heart of one that he fancies.”

She re-dons a seductresses’ persona, grinning hungrily once more and says, “I don’t see a girl with you right now, what she doesn’t-“

“Musume-chan, I’m going to stop you right there. Surely you don’t expect me to be disloyal my love!? And if I were to just go and rendezvous with you knowing I’m in a relationship, how can you possibly expect any loyalty from me when I would discard my previous lover so abruptly?”

Befuddlement returned to her face, then it melts into anger. She bares her teeth and her brows crease, ruining the otherwise beautiful visage of this young woman at her fury. “Fine! You don’t know what you’re missing! There’s plenty of other boys who’d kill for a chance to have me on their arm, you bastard! You aren’t even that cute anyway.”

She sighs outward, having expended herself with her tirade and tires to blow past the blonde host, but before she can he takes her hand once more stopping her from leaving.

“Hey! What’s the big idea you jerk, you’ve made your decision!”

“Musume-chan, I know I don’t have the right to do so, but can you do me favor,” he asked dropping to a knee, a genuine somber look on his face.

“And how can you possibly think I’d do anything for you, you jerk!?”

“I apologize if my rebuffing your affections were harsh, Musume-chan.” He said, standing to his full height. “But a beautiful young maiden such as yourself shouldn’t just be willing to give your affections to a pretty face,” he said smiling down on her.

A blush staining her face, as she looks away from the blonde young man, a look of regret on her face at her actions. “Well, maybe I did come on to you a little strong, Tamaki-kun. And maybe I might’ve been a little harsh on you too.”

His smile widens and he says, “There’s hope for you yet, Musume-chan.”

****

Well this was a surprise.

When Musume had approached their group, saying there was this drop-dead gorgeous young man who wanted to speak to Oka, it had put Ayano’s guard on overdrive.

Musume was notorious at Akademi for bullying, Oka being a frequent target. Ayano wasn’t just going to sit around and let it happen again.

So, much to the dismay of Musume, she had led Oka, Kuu and herself to whatever prank she’d had in waiting for Oka.

But, Ayano hadn’t thought in a million years that Musume would be telling the truth.

But low and behold, the tan skinned blonde had led them to a tall, statuesque, blue-eyed, blonde haired young man standing by the doorway by the eating area in the courtyard of Akademi.

He’s good looking objectively, by Ayano’s guess. But he isn’t exactly to her taste. His hair’s not dark enough. Or messy enough. He’s kind of a bean poll too. And one would bet he doesn’t fill out a gi as well as…

Ayano shakes her head free of thoughts of a certain dark-haired martial artist, discarding her comparisons to the tall blonde before them.

God help him if he’s in on this prank too, though Ayano.

“Thank you for your help, Musume-chan,” said the tall blonde, as he waived his goodbye to Musume.

The tanned blonde waives her own goodbye to blue-eyed blonde in front of them as she takes her leave.

“T-That uniform,” says Oka, “so you go to school with Umehito-kun and,” she hesitates, looking away from the tall young man, a flush of embarrassment staining her usually pale features, “Takashi-kun. Is he here?” She asks, approaching Tamaki wearily, yet a sense of hope. “C-can I see him? I have something I’d very much like to tell him.”

“Worry not, my dear,” exclaims Tamaki, grabbing Oka’s hands while closing his eyes dramatically, clearly looking to expel some theatrical soliloquy.

The occult obsessed young lady visibly tenses, obviously uncomfortable with the contact of this stranger.

It’s something not lost on Ayano.

“Ayano-chan,” vigilantly said Kuu, putting her hand on the shoulder of the grey eyed girl.

She shrugs off Kuu’s hand as she walks to where Tamaki and Oka are standing.

“All will soon be-“ He’s interrupted by Ayano removing his hands from Oka’s. “Huh?” He uttered; confusion obvious on his face. He opens his eyes and is greeted with the apprehensive visage of Oka and the incensed face of Ayano.

“Back. Off.” Commanded Ayano through gritted teeth. “Can’t you see your making her uncomfortable?”

He yelps, jumping back animatedly as he does so at the order of the dark-haired girl.

“Sorry,” he responded in earnest, “I guess I simply got caught up in Ruto-san’s desire to communicate her feelings to my Senpai. Please, forgive me,” he said bowing regally, “and I apologize to you as well…”

“Aishi. Ayano Aishi.” She finished for him.

“And may I have the other young lady’s name?” Asked Tamaki.

“Kuu Dere,” said the aqua-blue haired girl.

“Tamaki Suoh, pleased to meet your acquaintance, ladies.”

“And you said that Tamaki-kun’s a classmate of this boy you’ve been crushing on, Oka?” Said Kuu.

“Kuu-chan!” Replied an incredulous Oka.

“What? You’ve since admitted to us that what you’re feeling isn’t a curse, and here’s a friend of this crush of yours right here before us more than willing to make the intro duction,” replied Kuu, noncommittally.

Oka sighs at her friend’s bluntness, somewhat jealous of her just stating the matters of her heart like its simplest thing in the world.

Then on que, as if reading her mind, Kuu utters, “Simple, all things considered.”

“Well, where is this, what did you say his name was again, Oka-chan?” Said Ayano.

“Takashi.” Replied Oka.

“Where is this Takashi-kun, Suoh-san? Take us to him, if you please. I’d very much like to meet him myself.” Said Ayano.

“Be nice, Ayano-chan. Oka-chan presumably likes this boy.” Giggled Kuu.

“No problem ladies just follow me,” he said bowing to them.

He begins to walk, leading the way to Takashi, but he stops abruptly.

“Um, I don’t exactly know where he is,” he said embarrassed, “and a friend of mine advised us to put our phones on airplane mode during our visit, so I have no way to contact him. Come to think of it, he didn’t even tell us why. And I didn’t think to ask him.” Tamaki finished, scratching back of his head, sheepishly.

“This friend of yours seems like a smart man. Then I guess were finding him the old-fashioned way,” said Ayano.

The group of 3 girls one and boy decide to search for Tamaki’s friends’ floor by floor.

Looking for a group of criminally attractive young men can’t be that difficult.

Their journey leads them to north wing of the first floor of Akademi, where there’s quite a ruckus inside of both the Cooking and Drama Clubs.

Inside the Drama Club much fuss is being made over the visitors inside, the Hitachiin Twins, as they in turn fuss over one of the club’s members,  Kokona Haruka.

They eagerly request the young lady try on the various costumes the club had to offer, offering their complements for Kokona and their cretiques for improving the club’s wardrobe (they are their mother’s sons after all). Although there’s a young lady with a similar hair style to Kokona silently seething at their antics everyone else present doesn’t seem to mind the Twin’s input.

At Tamaki’s request they take their leave, bidding goodbye to everyone, including the annoyed young lady hanging back. “Goodbye, other Kokona!” They intoned simultaneously as they left, much to her chagrin.

In the Cooking Club theirs a bit of a gluttonous disappearing act happening. More than a generous number of deserts are being devoured by Honey as the members of the club look on in awe, Usa-chan at his side.

When his attention is called by Tamaki and the others, he turns his head, his cheeks comically expanded by the amount cakes in his mouth. He attempts to address his kohai, but due to the amount of food in Honey’s mouth he’s not clearly understood. And Mori’s nowhere in sight to admonish his cousin for temporarily forgetting his manners. Honey swallows his fill and then exclaims with a sheepish smile, “Oh Tama-chan! Hika-chan and Kao-chan too! And see you’ve found Oka-chan, it nice to see you again,” he finishes, waving at the dark blue haired girl.

Oka bows slightly, responding with a sheepish, “Hi.”

Kaoru and Hikaru playfully admonishes their senpai for not searching for Oka as was discussed as introductions are made around, but asked when confronted with the same, they lamely cross their arms dismissing any wrongdoing.

The rapidly expanding group of Ouran and Akademi students make their way to the second floor.

Ayano suggested they make a pit stop before continuing their search for the rest of host club, picking up  a friend of theirs as her club had usually let out around this time.

There was an interesting sight when they came upon the club.

On the far end of the sat three figures, facing a large flat screened television. A girl with long green hair dressed in a similar uniform as Ayano and the others is standing over the shoulder of short brown haired young man dressed similarly to the other host club members as the green haired girl gives him instructions, presumably for the fighting game being played, it’s action taking place on the large television mounted on the wall in front of them. Sitting next to the young man is anther, taller young man with spiky blue hair with ponytail over his shoulder, patchy facial hair, circular glasses and headphones around his neck. He’s dressed in a similar uniform as the other males around the school.

One of the characters on screen life bar is depleted and falls to the ground defeated as an announcer dramatically yells ‘K.O’.

“You did it Haruhi-chan!” Yelled the green haired girl.

The addressed young man, Haruhi presumably, stands, humbly stating, ”Thanks Midori-chan, but it was your instruction that lead me to the win. I couldn’t have done this without you,” finished Haruhi, smiling brightly at the taller girl, slightly tilting her head as she does so.

Midori blushes brightly at Haruhi’s kind words, bringing her hands to her face attempting to cover her rapidly darkening cheeks so fast it creates an audible slapping sound. “Haruhi-chan! Thank you!” She said. Midori then turns her attention to other young man, “Gema-senpai, it was a good game, right?”

He stands turning to Midori and Haruhi, his anger an apparent on his face at losing to an amateur.

But before the blue haired club leader can say anything, Haruhi says, “It was a good game, Gema-kun,” extending her hand, earnest smile having never left her face.

The anger melts from Gema’s face, but he relectanly shakes Haruhi’s hand, “Good match,” he mutters before he goes off to a corner to some game or another on his phone.

“Well, this is surprise isn’t it?” Exclaims Hikaru, with a mischievous smile on his face.

“Indeed. Our usually responsible and studious Haruhi, slinking off and playing video games. For shame!” Followed up Kaoru, with faux dramatics.

She loses her smile, her expression turning to a more even tone, “Sorry. I know we were to find Oka-chan, but I met Midori-chan and she invited me to the gaming club. She’s very difficult to say no to. Besides, it looks like you guys found her on your own.”

After more introductions are made, the group takes their leave, but not before Tamaki pulls Haruhi behind.

“Midori was calling you ‘Haruhi-chan’, does she know you’re a girl?” He asks.

Haruhi shrugs her shoulders noncommittally, “If she does, I didn’t tell her. And what does it matter anyway? We don’t go to school here, nor do we live in this town, plus Oka-chan and her friends seem pretty easy going to me.”

“I guess you’re right, Haruhi.” Responded Tamaki.

Their next stop is still on the second floor, as they come upon Kyoya in the Art Club of all places, speaking with the club’s president.

“Excellent, Tsuka-san. And I can expect those potraits to be delivered on the agreed upon date?” Asked Kyoya.

“Of course,” replied young man of few words.

Kyoya bows to the club’s president and says, “I look forward to seeing your work, Tsuka-san.”

He turns to the sorted members of the host club, plus Ayano, Midori, Oka and Kuu, and says, “Oh, it looks like you’ve all found Oka, it’s nice to see you again Ruto-san.”

“Kyoya,” Haruhi addressed, “what scheme-hatchery are up to?”

“Oh, Haruhi,” said Kyoya, a look of mock hurt on his face, “it was nothing more than having paintings of the club commissioned to be actioned off on our website. How little do you think of me? Don’t answer that. Now, where’s Mori?”

****

Osoro and the others warned him something like this would happen.

Umeji was convinced it was just a passing fancy, and that things would just move forward.

That his little companion would just wander off school grounds the same way he wondered on.

But here he is now, faced with an absolute giant of man, his back to a wall of the outside of the school, dressed to the nines in a powder blue suit coat adorned with an unfamiliar crest on the left breast, a white shirt, black tie, pressed black slacks, and black shined dress shoes. He’s staring Umeji down with a determination that states a willingness to throw down. And in this giant’s hands is a kitten with a grey and white coat being scratched behind its ears as it purrs contently.

At first glance Umeji thought this giant was a new member of the school’s staff, but his youthful face and spike-styled hair betrays that of a much younger man than his size would infer.

“Is there something I can help you with?” Said the giant, his dark grey eyes boring into Umeji’s.

Umeji nervously fiddles with the bag of dry fish in his pocket as he responds, “Put the cat down, and get out of here. Unless you want to end up like the last clowns who tried to invade Akademi.”

The kitten fidgets in Mori’s grip, mewling at the spiky, blonde haired, orange eyed delinquent, presumably in recognition of shorter boy.

This ignites an anxiety within Mori.

What could this guy possibly want with this kitten?

Based on the way the kitten is mewling and fidgeting it can’t be nothing good.

This little guy just had to approach him as he searched for Oka.

Oh well.

“Sorry, but that’s not going to happen.” Responded Mori.

The orange eyed delinquent pulls a brown baseball bat from the box on his back, “Wrong answer,” he muttered.

Umeji brings the bat in front of him, holding it like how a kendo student, but Mori being one of the top kendo players in the country sees holes in his stance.

“Just walk away. It doesn’t have to be like this,” says Mori.

Umeji responds by bringing the bat above his head and charges Mori, going for a sloppy overhead swing.

Mori slightly tightens his hold on the kitten as he effortlessly evades Umeji’s clumsy swing.

Umeji charges Mori a few more times, getting visibly more frustrated and tired with each successive swing.

“Stay still you son of a bitch!” He yells, baring his teeth as he goes for another swing of the bat.

“Umeji!” Yells a low, yet feminine voice.

Both Mori and Umeji turn to see a group of four young men and one young woman making their way toward them. The tanned skinned, blonde haired girl is situated in front of the other 4 boys, 2 of them flanking either of her shoulder. The four boys have wearing the same uniform and have similarly dyed hair the same as Umeji, but they are of varying styles befitting that of a delinquent.

The young woman has an ‘x’ shaped scar on her left cheek and her blonde hair is wild, almost unkempt with a fringe styled over her face. Her brows are creased in annoyance, her lips in a straight thin line and her brown eyes are trained on Umeji and Mori. She dressed radically different from the other female students in this school. She’s dressed in a short sleeved white button up shirt, missing the bow that every other girl’s uniform had, with white wraps adorning her hands and forearms and a slightly oversized tattered black jacket around her shoulders like a cape. Her lower half is covered by a black skirt with gray shorts peeking from up under it with more wraps taped around her toned legs and faded black shoes on her feet.

“Having trouble there, Umeji?” She said, as the group closed the distance between them.

He flushes out of embarrassment and because he’s out of breath and answers between wheezes, “I got it under control, boss. No need for you guys to step in.”

The tan skinned girl breaks her gaze from Umeji, leveling it at Mori. She cracks a smile and says, “I told your obsession with that little pussy would bite you in the ass one day.”

The group of four flanking her laughs at her quip.

The gray coated cat in Mori’s pops it’s claws, digging them into Mori’s hand. He loosens his grip as he hisses in pain. The kitten bounds it way to Umeji, stopping in front of the boy, meowing expectantly.

Mori’s confused by this.

“Yeah, yeah, I got you,” he says, pulling the bag a of fish and piece of aluminum foil out his pocket. He situates the foil in a bowl like shape, then pours the bag of fish into it.

The kitten then looks up Umeji, meowing his appreciation, before it starts to eat it’s fill. Umeji then starts to scratch the kitten behind its ears as it purrs in contentment as the delinquent smiles down on it.

“I can see you’re confused, big guy. Our Umeji’s got a soft spot for the little furry things. To the point he risks his reputation as one of us on campus.” Said Osoro. “It’s not like he’s any good at concealing it either. Oka and that green-haired ditz caught him babying the little one here one day,” she finished under her breath.

“Oka? As in Oka Ruto?” He said, wondering why the apple of his eye would associate with these types. “Are you friends?"

“Nah, more like an acquaintance. She’s more of friend to Umeji and my boys then she is to me. Though I get the impression she doesn’t get that.” Responded Osoro.

“What’s it to you anyway?” Asked Umeji, stepping away from the feasting kitten.

Mori looks away from the group of blonde hairs, his cheeks darkening slightly. “I have something very important I wish to discuss with her.” He said lowly.

“And what makes you think we would let you, huh? There’s a toll for messing with one of us,” said Umeji as he once more went for his bat.

“No,” interjected Osoro, as she stepped in between the two boys, pushing at Umeji’s chest, “rich boy here gets a pass. Plus, from the way things seem, you attacked first Umeji. Besides, do you even know who this is? You wouldn’t have stood a chance.” She then turns to face Mori, leveling her eyes with his despite their disparity in height, “Takashi Morinozuka.”

Umeji’s eyes widen in realization, now cognizant of the young man he attacked. “The Takashi Morinozuka?”

Mori nods in the affirmative.

“Huh,” he says simply, looking to Osoro, then back to Mori, “not a chance in hell.”

Mori and then group of delinquents are then interrupted by the footsteps of the Host Club, Oka, Midori, Ayano and Kuu as they enter the scene.

Ayano takes point stepping in front of Mori, suspicious of Osoro and her cohorts.

She looks back at the tall host and says, “You are Takashi, are you not?”

He nods.

“I believe you have something to say to Oka-chan, but that can wait.” Finished Ayano, as she turned to face Osoro and her group. “Shidesu, do you mind telling me why Takashi-san is bleeding?”

Osoro stares down the shorter dark-haired girl, shrugging her shoulders in indifference at the accusation leveled at her and her friends. “I don’t know what you mean Aishi. You know, I don’t appreciate having a finger pointed at me every time someone at Akademi gets a papercut. Maybe you’ve been hanging around that feather haired goody-goody too much, his habits of jumping on my case are starting to rub off on ya. It’s starting to piss me off. You know I saw that tournament you were in the other day, we both know I can do you a whole lot worse than that,” Osoro finishes her statement as steps into Ayano’s personal space going toe-to-toe with her.

“Um,” mutters a soft voice, “Yan-chan, Oro-chan, please…” finished Oka obviously put off by her two friends’ conflict.

Osoro then turns to Oka, as the blue-haired occultist nervously looks away from the two girls, fiddling with her fingers.

“Damnit Ruto! I told you not to call me that,” Osoro yelled, snapping Oka to attention. Osoro stares her down for a moment before she says, “Alright, you get pass today, Aishi.” She snaps her fingers and says, “Come on troops! We’ve gotta meet Odayaka at the bakery, it’s cheesecake day.”

Osoro her friends go on their way, but not before Umeji utters, “And you complain about my obsession with pussy…”

Osoro smacks him upside his head, “Show some respect! It’s Amai.”

“Well, now that’s taken care of I believe you have something to say to Oka-chan,” Intoned Ayano to Mori.

“Hn,” he responded.

Ayano walks toward Oka, placing a hand on her shoulder, “If he tries anything funny, don’t hesitate. OK, Oka-chan?”

In response, she looks up Mori giving him a shy smile. “I don’t think you need to worry about that, Ayano-chan.”

Ayano nods, then walks over to their assorted group of friends, new and old, and says, “Midori-chan,” said Ayano, as she clapped her hands together smiling at Midori, “how would you like to take some pictures with our new friends?”

“Oh my god! Would I ever!” Screeched the green haired girl.

Oka walks over to Mori, taking him by the hand and leading him to a nearby bench. She produces a bandage wrap and what appears to be a hemostatic agent placing them on the bench next to Mori. She then walks over to a nearby water fountain, wets a handkerchief and makes her way back to Mori, sitting next to host.

“Takashi-kun,” she starts, as starts to clean the wounds on his hand, “I apologize for Umeji-kun and Nao-kun.”

“Nao-kun?” Asks Mori.

“Um, the uh, kitten.”

At the mention of his name, Nao the kitten mews up at the two as he walks toward them. Nao’s finished his fill of fish and is now looking to be pet again as he continues to mew.

“Nao-kun!” Scolds Oka. “You can’t expect to scratch a new friend and be rewarded for it.”

Nao folds his ears submissively at Oka’s light scolding. He mews cutely once more in an attempt to smooth things over with the dark-blue haired girl.

She shakes her head at the kitten and pats her lap.

Immediately, Nao’s eye’s glow and his ears return to their original position and he leaps up into Oka’s lap, padding around until he finds a comfortable position and curls into himself, purring contently.

Mori laughs lightly at the display.

She applies the agent in response, and the host’s laughs are replaced with a hiss of pain.

“Sorry.”

She begins to wrap the gauze around Mori’s hand, having cleaned the scratches and applied the hemostat. “Like I was saying, Umeji-kun’s got a reputation he wants to protect and very much desires not be seen tending to a kitten, despite his obvious soft-spot for Nao. And as far as Nao-kun, it’s best not to get in between him and his favorite food.” She said, as she finished wrapping the gauze around his hand. “There!”

“Hm.” Went Mori. “Oka-chan, may I ask where you learned to clean and treat wounds?” Requested Mori.

“W-Well,” she said, her hands still holding Mori’s freshly treated one, “Ayano-chan and Budo-kun are in the school’s Karate Club and sometimes have more than their share of scrapes and bruises after sparring days. I guess I kind of fell into doing it, as they didn’t have anyone else to treat them after their club time. And as I’m sure you know both Umehito-kun and I share very similar hobbies. Fiddling with herbs and other ingredients for potions and elixirs has given me a little bit of skill in the subject. That mixture I applied to your scratches is my own design even!” She continued as she lightly caressed his freshly treated hand.

Her eyes widen, recognizing what she’s doing and let’s go, busing herself scratching Nao behind his ears.

Mori laughs again, much to her chagrin.

“Hey, don’t laugh! Otherwise, I-I’ll-“ said a red-faced Oka, “I’ll get Nao-kun to scratch you again!”

To emphasize her point she holds the grey coated kitten in Mori’s face as he mews softly.

Mori gently takes the kitten from Oka’s grasp. He places the kitten in his lap petting him while smiling at her, “I’m not in the way of Nao-kun’s fish, so I think I ‘m good on that front.” He said in his deep baritone.

He then levels a serious look her way, as she turns to meet his gaze. His eyes boring into hers with an unspoken determination. It’s like his stare is penetrating her down to her very core. It stirs a fluttering in her that’s just as exciting as it is terrifying to her.

“Oka-chan,” he starts seriously, “I know we’ve just met, but I can’t help but feel there’s something here.” He takes her hand gently in his to emphasize his point.

Oka, who’s at most times very resistant to letting most other people touch her, lets it go, just like when they first met.

Her heart is hammering in her chest and palms are starting to perspire at her anxiety.      

He slightly tightens his grip on her hand, as if non-verbally communicate that’s fine to be nervous.

Because if he were honest with himself, he would let her know he’s just as nervous.

Mori breaks his gaze from Oka, looking ahead, determination still shimmering in his eyes.

“I spoke with Nekozawa-san not long after the little episode he and I had. He talked about you. He couldn’t help himself. You’re incredibly important to him, you know. He told me how when your parents passed away that there was no one but him and his parents to take you in. He told me he was simply acting in your defense when he confronted me that day. He went on to say that you very vulnerable when you were younger. That you were bullied a great deal because of your interest in the occult. He said he hated himself because he couldn’t do much to protect you and had to lean on Budo-kun heavily to look after you. He said that he hated that things didn’t really turn around for you until you met your current group of friends in high school.” He re-levels his gaze to the dark-blue haired girl. “He told me a lot about you, Oka-chan. He showed me that through everything, you have the strength to show the world that you can be who you are proudly regardless of what the world thinks of it or what it throws at you. That’s not a strength you find in many people and,” he smiles at her once more, “that’s a strength I can admire.”

“A-admire? No one's ever said that a-about me before,” responded a cherry-red faced Oka, as she nervously fiddled with the edge of her skirt, looking down. “Y-you mean you-“ she trailed off.

“Every word, Oka-chan.” Responded Mori. “I’d like to take you out sometime, maybe for lunch, or tea. To maybe get better acquainted. May I see you phone?” Asked Mori.

She digs into her uniform coat pocket, fishing out a smartphone adorned in a black case with a white spider webs, matching her stockings and cut-off gloves and hands it off to him.

He takes it, releasing her hand and then hastily begins typing something in.

“What’re you-“

Before she can complete the thought, he offers her back to her. Right there on the screen is a new contact, Takashi Morinozuka, it read with an accompanying phone number.

“You don’t need to answer now, Oka-chan. But if you so choose, don’t hesitate to contact me so we can hash out the details, if you simply just want to talk, or if you just want to be friends if you so desire.” He then carefully takes the napping Nao, places him in Oka’s hands, and stands to his full height, looking down to Oka, “I eagerly await your correspondence, and thank you for taking the time to listen to what I have to say, Oka-chan.”

“Takashi-kun,” she utters before he has a chance to go, “I think there might be something here too,” she said leveling a shy smile at the host.

He returns it in earnest, as he goes to join their assorted group of friends as they take pictures and converse with one another.

****

Well they seem to be hitting things off, thought Kyoya as he observed Oka and Mori while writing in his notebook.

He hears two pairs of footsteps coming up behind him, before he’s softly tapped on the shoulder.

He turns, finding Oka’s two friends, Ayano and Midori, looking at him expectantly (more Midori did, Ayano looked more neutral than anything).

“Excuse me, Kyoya-kun, was it?” Asked Midori, “Would you like to take a picture with us? You’re the only one of your group, besides Takashi-kun we haven’t taken a pic with,” she finished, barely containing her excitement.

“I would be glad to, Gurin-san. For until I miss my guess, I think we’ll be seeing more of each other,” Kyoya said, gesturing towards Oka and Mori. “I can’t think of better way to commemorate the new friendship between us.”

Kyoya stands between the two girls, slight angled off as they prepare to take the picture. Midori budges in close, standing at Kyoya’s right shoulder, grinning widely while throwing up two peace signs on either hand. Ayano, standing at Kyoya’s left shoulder angles her phone in front of trio, taking great care to catch Kyoya’s face (maybe seemingly more care than necessary for just a group selfie), making the third son of the Ootori’s the centerpiece of the picture. The dark-haired girl smiles subtilty and throws up a peace sign of her own, snapping the picture on her phone.

“Oh, oh! Let me see Ayano-chan!” Screeched Midori, as eagerly reached for Ayano’s phone. “Perfect. Please don’t forget to send me copies those pics Ayano. I really want to post them on Facebook.”

Interesting, thought Kyoya, as he observed the two girls (though mostly, Ayano). Taiso-san had warned him about Ayano, sighting a look her eyes and pretending to emote. He did note that she wore a bored expression that gradually turned slight softer the more she interacted with his friends. He also observed genuine flashes of affection whenever Midori said something seemingly without thinking or when Kuu went to correct the green haired girl. Interestingly enough, she appears to be immune to Tamaki’s charms. Judging by how similar he and her friend Midori seemed, she’s used to the exuberance of bright-haired idiots.

From what Kyoya can deduce, Ayano seems like any other schoolgirl. More reserved than most but he’s not seeing anything that give off any red flags.

Although something did seem deliberate about the way she went about taking pictures of Kyoya and the host club. Like she’s going to use them for something other than just commemorating meeting new friends.

Oh well, thought, Kyoya. It’s just something he’ll have to keep an eye on.

He sees Mori approach from his conversation with Oka. He’s sporting a small smile as he closes the distance. He sees Oka on the bench, looking after the kitten that scratched Mori earlier. He catches her looking up to Mori briefly, a shy smile and a blush on her face before she looks back the kitten in her lap.

“I hope this took you out of your funk, Mori-senpai. I hope I can put your name back up for reservations. Although, I’m not sure how long it will take to win back the goodwill of your clientele. Oh, well. I’m sure we’ll come with something.” Said Kyoya to his upperclassman.

Mori responds by affectionately rubbing the top of Kyoya’s head, playfully messing his hair.

“OK, Ok, enough of that, senpai!” Complained Kyoya.

“Hey, Takashi-kun, come take a picture with us!” Yelled Midori, as she waived him over to their group of assorted friends.

****

Later that night, Ayano’s sitting at her desk, going through the photos she’s taken today. She looks at them fondly, remembering how she made Midori so happy by such a small gesture. She lands one of all her assorted friends new and old, wondering what experiences a wait her and her friends now after being acquainted with Ouran’s Host Club. She particularly wondered about the tallest among them, Takashi Morinozuka, considering his interest in Oka.

She learned a lot about the hosts today.

Tamaki. Princely, charismatic, but loud, animated and incredibly dramatic. Her years of being friend’s with Midori taught her the experience and know-how to deal with it.

Kyoya, intelligent and calculating. He tries his best to play the part of detached egoist and may even fool some into believing that that’s who he is, but Ayano can see the genuine care and affection he has for his clubmates.

The Hiatchiin Twins, Kaoru and Hikaru. Playful, mischievous, and very affectionate towards each other. That last bit had the usually unflappable Kuu very interested. Ayano had played the ‘Which one is Hikaru?’ Game, winning several times in a row where her friends were unable to tell the two apart. That had won her the respect of twins instantly.

Haruhi Fujioka, the most earnest and modest of the club was by far the easiest to get on with. The girl dressed as a boy for a reasons that have yet to have been revealed to Ayano was easy to talk to and understood the world around her in a way that belied her age. She has since become desensitized to her friend’s antics, but still carries a deep affection for her friends. Speaking of which, she did seem a little more affectionate with Tamaki than anyone else, perhaps the two are dating. Maybe she could give some advice on…never mind, thought Ayano.

Mitsukuni Haninozuka or Honey, as he’s known by his friends is not what he seems. She actually is familiar with the diminutive blonde is through Budo’s stories of never having bested Honey in a fight. There’s way more underneath his child-like nature than at first glance, that much is obvious. He’s actually the oldest of the club members and shares an interesting kinship with Takashi.

And on the subject of the tall host, the quiet dark-haired young seemed steady and reliable, but she didn’t really get a chance to get know him, as he spent most of time speaking with Oka.

The two are clearly enamored with each other despite not having only seen each at least twice and that worries Ayano.

While she will always be thankful to Taro to awakening the emotions within her, her own experience with a first crush had her ready to ruin her own life and those around her in order to win his affections. She luckily had Budo to talk her down, making her realize exactly who’s right for her heart.

Ayano doesn’t want that for her friend, so she’s going to do everything in her power to make sure this budding romance with Takashi Morinozuka isn’t just some passing fancy, especially on Mori’s part.

Ayano isn’t sure Oka can take that kind of heartbreak.

“It hurts when people leave, I don’t want to be hurt again,” Oka said in reference to hesitating befriending each other.

Oka won’t be hurt, I’ll make sure of it, thought Ayano, as she steeled herself for what she’s going to do.

She takes out her phone, going to her contacts and swiping down until one name comes up.

‘Info,’ it read, as Ayano’s finger hovered above her screen.

She sighs, hitting the name, then pushing the option to text.

Hey, she texted.

She waited for a few minutes before she received any correspondence.

Well, well, well. This is quite the surprise, read Info-chan’s response. What can I do for you?

How do you know I want something? Maybe I just want to talk? Ayano typed back.

You haven’t contacted me in months, Yan-chan. You couldn’t even be bothered to send me an upskirt for old time sake? You want something, no question. So, what do you want? Finally decided you want to go after your precious Senpai and looking for my help? But word around the school is that you have the hots for Budo Masuta. Oh, are you trying to have two boys at the same time? My innocent little Yan-chan’s not so innocent after all, messaged Info-chan.

This was a mistake, thought the incensed Ayano.

No, you idiot. I need information on the people in the pictures I’m about to send you. Anything you can dig up will be helpful. Ayano texted.

She sends the photos of the host club, with their names and waits for Info-chan’s response.

Ayano, do have any idea who these guys are? Texted Info-chan.

The twins and short blonde for sure, but everyone else is anyone’s guess. Ayano messaged.

I’ll get your dirt, Ayano. If there’s any to find out. But you’ll owe me Ayano. Responded Info-chan.

What do you want from me? Ayano sent.

I’ll let you know later. I’ll contact you later with what I find out. Catch you later, Yan-chan! Texted Info-chan, with smiley face emoji.

“Great,” intoned Ayano aloud, “now I’m indebted to the devil and I have no idea what she wants in return.”

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Making Up by Helena Hunting

Shacking Up #4

Cosy Felton is a college student working in an adult toy shop to make ends meet. When Griffin Mills stops by the store to buy a list of items for a bachelor party Cosy makes a less than fun shopping trip a lot less embarrassing. As Griffin is drawn to Cosy he returns later to ask her on a date...and though she says no they do eventually go out. For awhile the eleven year age difference seems it might be a stumbling block but not for long...nope...soon other things seem to pop up that cause problems. There are ups and downs in their relationship but throughout the story it is impossible NOT to see them together.

What I liked:

* Griffin: WONDERFUL book boyfriend!

* Cosy: a nice balance to Griffin and his soul mate

* The meet cute

* The way the two usually ended up talking things out rather than giving up

* The steamy scenes

* Griffin’s family

* Knowing how the characters were feeling and what they were thinking – first person dual points of view

* How it all worked out

What I did not like: * Imogen – Griffin’s Ex-fiance

* Armstrong – Griffin’s cousin

* The drama of the ups and downs though they did allow for a lot of making up

* All the comments about the age difference although there were times Cosy seemed younger than 22

Did I like this book? Yes

Will I read more in the series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars

Synopsis:

A new standalone, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting.

Cosy Felton is great at her job—she knows just how to handle the awkwardness that comes with working at an adult toy store. So when the hottest guy she’s ever seen walks into the shop looking completely overwhelmed, she’s more than happy to turn on the charm and help him purchase all of the items on his list.

Griffin Mills is using his business trip in Las Vegas as a chance to escape the broken pieces of his life in New York City. The last thing he wants is to be put in charge of buying gag gifts for his friend’s bachelor party. Despite being totally out of his element, and mortified by the whole experience, Griffin is pleasantly surprised when he finds himself attracted to the sales girl that helped him.

As skeptical as Cosy may be of Griffin’s motivations, there’s something about him that intrigues her. But sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas and when real life gets in the way, all bets are off. Filled with hilariously awkward situations and enough sexual chemistry to power Sin City, Making Up is the next standalone in the Shacking Up world.

Excerpt

We’re a couple of minutes away from my apartment, which also means we’re almost at the end of our date. End-of-date protocol often means a goodnight kiss.

And I’ve eaten onions. Lots of them. What the hell was I thinking? I feel around in my shorts pocket, hoping I have a random stick of gum. I find a tiny square packet and pull it out, along with an old tissue. I shove that back in my pocket and sigh with relief as I carefully open the Listerine Pocketpak. There’s one strip left. I pop it in my mouth, wishing I had water since my mouth is dry and I’m suddenly super nervous.

Griffin pulls up in front of my apartment building. I swallow a bunch of times, trying to get the strip to dissolve on my tongue and glance out the tinted window, seeing it from his perspective. I don’t live in a bad part of town, but I sure as hell wouldn’t leave this car sitting out here for any length of time unless I wanted it keyed or stripped down.

Griffin shifts into park and turns to me, one hand resting on the back of my seat near the headrest. “I had a great time, Cosy.”

“Me too, thanks for dinner.” I tried to fork over my share, but he was quick on the credit card draw.

“It was my pleasure.” He leans in the tiniest bit, a nonverbal cue that he’s going in for a kiss.

I mirror the movement, giving him the go ahead. My stomach flutters in anticipation. I exhale slowly through my nose. Even though the Listerine strip should be doing its job to mask the onions, I don’t want to ruin the moment by breathing that in his face.

His fingertips skim my jaw, and I close my eyes. And then his lips brush my cheek. I wait for them to move a couple of inches to the right, but after what feels like a lot of seconds—and is probably only a few—I crack a lid.

Griffin is still close, a wry smile on his lips and a smolder in his eyes.

“Seriously, that’s it? A kiss on the cheek?”

His smile widens, making his eyes crinkle at the corners. He’s nothing like the guys I usually end up on dates with. College boys don’t take things slow. If I were out with one of the guys from school, I’d be sitting in a beat-up Civic with some stupid music playing, and he’d be all over me with his tongue halfway down my throat, copping a feel.

“I thought all the onions you ate were the equivalent to garlic for vampires.” Griffin fingers my hair near my shoulder. I’d really like him to finger something else. Wait. I mean I’d like to feel his hands on me. Not in my pants. Okay, maybe I’d like them in my pants, but not after date number one.

“I wasn’t thinking, and I really like onions. A lot. In hindsight, it’s not a great date food. I feel kinda dumb. And I guess at first I wasn’t so sure about you. How was I supposed to know you’d actually be kind of normalish?”

“Normalish?”

“Well, you drink club soda on purpose, so you can’t be all there.” I tap his temple.

Griffin circles my wrist with his fingers and drops his head, lips brushing over my knuckle. “We can’t all be perfect, now, can we?”

“I suppose not, and perfect is boring.”

“That it is.” He hums against my skin, and I feel it through my entire body. “I would like to try that kiss again, if you’re still interested.”

Buy-Book Link: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250253378

Author Bio:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

Helena Hunting Blog Tour Q&A 

What inspired you to write Making Up?

I’d introduced Griffin in the previous Shacking Up Series novels, Shacking Up and Hooking Up—he was a bit of a mystery for readers because he was talked about, but not really present. I had a very clear picture in my mind of who he was, and the kind of woman who would end up being the perfect fit for him, and it was not his fiancé from the previous books.  

Introduce us to your main characters!

Griffin Mills is the oldest of the three Mills brothers. At thirty-three he’s had several very long term relationships and was formerly engaged, but that relationship went up in flames. He’s gorgeous, smart, loves the numbers side of the family business he’s part of—a chain of hotels he’s set to inherit with his brothers. Also, he’s a little awkward, which I love, because there’s nothing quite like a hot guy who doesn’t have all the lines and fumbles a bit when he’s dealing with someone he’s attracted to. It makes for some hilarious banter with his love interest, Cosy Felton. Our heroine is a twenty-two year old who has been a bit of a nomad for most of her life, but is finally finishing school and happens to work at an Adult Toy Store part time. It’s definitely not her favourite job, but it pays the bills. She’s sassy, not much of a planner and definitely more than Griffin bargained for.

Lots of aspiring authors out there. Any advice for them?

Just keep writing. Every day put words on the page and surround yourself with positive people who are there to support you. Ask questions, join book groups, be an avid reader and an observer.

How is Making Up different from your other books?

Making Up has a trope I’ve never really explored or played around with before, so it was a lot of fun to write. While I’ve written age gaps before, it hasn’t been a key part of the storyline, or had a significant impact on how the characters perceive the relationship. Griffin and Cosy are from two very different worlds and balancing their expectations and insecurities was one of my favourite parts of writing their story. Making Up has my signature quirky, sassy heroines and I love writing heroes that are sexy, yet a little awkward. While it’s a light read, there’s some drama, and some heavy baggage, which I think grounds the story and balances out the hilarity.

I know asking someone’s all-time favorite book is a loaded question so what’s your current favorite read?

I’ve been so lucky to read so many amazing books this year but I’m going to go with Broken Knight by LJ Shen which releases this August. I love YA/NA romance and angst, and she knows how to deliver both flawlessly.

Alright, the ultimate question: why should we read your book?

We all need a little escape from our own realities once in a while and Making Up is a fun, sexy romance that’s perfect for the summer. Also, Griffin is hot, and not particularly suave at times. I think we can all appreciate a guy who doesn’t have all the lines, especially if he looks like he should.

A famous movie producer wants to make your books into movies and they want you to cast your characters from Making Up. Which actors/actresses make the cut?

This is always a fun question and I’ll be 100% honest, I never actually look at actors prior to writing a story because I generally have a picture of the character in my head. But, I went on a Pinterest mission and Alex Morgan (she’s a soccer player, not an actress) would make a fabulous Cosy if she suddenly switched career paths. Hailee Steinfeld (Bumblebee) is super sassy, and could definitely play up the humor in this story, so she would be a legitimate actress choice. Gabriel Macht has a great smolder and can rock a seriously sexy suit, so I think he’d be great as Griffin.

Favorite quote or scene you wrote in Making Up?

Making Up is definitely a rom-com with some incredibly hilarious moments, but Griffin has some heavy baggage, which means there are also serious moments, and this is one of my favourites: “Talk to me. Fall apart on me. Show me your weakness so I can give you my strength.”

What inspired you to become a writer?

I’ve always loved to write, but finding time was a challenge during university and then afterward I was building a career and we renovated a house down to the studs—which takes up a lot of time and doesn’t leave much of an opportunity for putting down words (but it was an amazing experience). When I gave birth to my daughter she struggled to sleep—or rather stay asleep—and that meant I spent a lot of time awake in the middle of the night. So I started writing again during those late nights, and finally penned my first full novel.

What is a typical writing day like?

I usually start with a run and then copious amounts of coffee while I manage the administrative side of things—ie emails, social media posts etc. But when I sit down to write I have a playlist I put on repeat, more coffee, sparking water (so I can stay hydrated) and my cat Pumpkin generally lies on top of my closed laptop and supervises me for the day.

Do you have any interesting writing quirks or habits?

I listen to the same playlist while I write a novel. So if it takes me two months, then I listen to the same set of songs for two full months. I’ve destroyed A LOT of albums for my husband over the past several years. I just need the background noise, and listening to the radio or unfamiliar songs can be distracting.

What has been one of the most surprising things you’ve learned as a published author?

I’ve only been in the industry for five years and there has been so much change, learning to adjust and adapt and just staying true to your personal goal is really the most important thing I’ve learned. I think when you start out there are just so many unknowns, and taking risks can be scary, but if you don’t take those risks, it’s hard to grow as an author.

Can you tell us about what’s coming up next after this for you writing wise?

I have one more book in The Shacking Up Series, HANDLE WITH CARE, which releases at the end of August! Griffin’s cousin and best friend, Lincoln Moorehead, is the hero and if you didn’t know, he is also Armstrong’s brother. Lincoln is the polar opposite of Armstrong so it was so fun to write. I can’t wait for people to meet Griffin and Cosy and Lincoln and Wren.

How can readers connect with you online?

They can connect with me all over social media! (add links)

Website→  http://www.helenahunting.com/

Amazon → http://amzn.to/1y6OBB7

Twitter → http://bit.ly/HelenaHTwitter

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Pinterest → http://bit.ly/1oQYRVN

Instagram → http://instagram.com/helenahunting Goodreads→ http://bit.ly/GoodReadsHH NEWSLETTER → http://bit.ly/HelenaHnewsletter

Bookbub → http://bit.ly/BookBubHH

Facebook Reader Group  → http://bit.ly/TheBeaverDenHH

[nadiineross]

Chlodine with kids!!!!!! Maybe Nadine’s little siblings I can imagine her having a huge family. Or Chloe having a secret son or daughter from her more wild days and Nadine not finding out for like years and being like !!!

imma do nadines family bc my thoughts on chlodine + kids are Complicated and also someone else wrote a fic abt chloe w/ a secret kid im waiting on an update !!! lots of e•mo•tions

this got rly long

Chloe Frazer is, without a doubt, an only child. Nadine had never assumed anything else and would’ve been very surprised if she learned otherwise, but as it stands, this is not the case. 

Nadine, on the other hand, has four siblings. She’s the oldest, having the responsibility of inheriting Shoreline and bearing the brunt of her father’s expectations. He wasn’t a bad father, all things considered. Sure, he had his faults like everyone does, but he never neglected her nor did he seek to pressure Nadine into a future with Shoreline. That was all on her and, upon realizing this, he had only tried to push her into it further, to support her. 

In the end, it didn’t really pan out, huh? 

No one in her family blamed her for the loss of Shoreline. In fact, they had all tried to pitch in when Nadine had truly hit rock bottom and did their best to make her feel better. The incessant phone calls and hugging, she accepted. Their money? She did not.

Now, two years after the fact, she finds that she’s much happier, lighter, in her new career path and her family seems to agree.

“Nadine!” her brother, Junior, hollers the moment she steps through the door. “You look great!”

He’s the second child, only two years younger than her at 30, and the one she is the closest to because of it.

She barely manages a greeting before she’s engulfed in a tight bear hug. Quickly, another weight is wrapped around her back and one of her legs is ensnared by a pair of smaller arms. Like moths to a light, her family.

The compulsory family reunion in their old family home in South Africa is something Nadine secretly looks forward to, though she would never say that aloud, lest she wants to be razzed to death by her siblings.

After Junior comes Mia, who turned 29 only last week (Nadine had flowers delivered and mailed her a beautiful bracelet she’d found snooping through old Greek ruins), and finally Grace, 24.

As it turns out, it’s Grace that barreled into her first. Behind her, her mother fusses with her hair and around her leg is Junior’s 6-year-old son, Blessing.

“Ma,” Nadine croaks out around a mouthful of Grace’s hair. “Leave me alone, I’m going to the barber next week.”

Her mother does not leave her alone. “You don’t call for three weeks and this is the first thing you say to me?”

Grace lets go, snickering at Nadine’s apprehension. Nadine glares.

After Junior and Mia get their turns hugging her, she ducks away from her mother’s grabbing, muttering a quick “love you!”, and scoops Blessing up into her arms. He instantly shrieks with glee, trying to claw up her arms and settle on her shoulders.

Junior’s wife, Vivienne, a plump Filipina with enough wit to beat Grace in an argument, presses a brief kiss to Nadine’s cheek as she passes by.

“Don’t mess with Auntie’s hair, boy,” she says, sternly. “Grandma will make you do the dishes.”

Blessing giggles, clearly unaware of what’s going on. Nadine rolls her eyes. “All right, all right. Where’s Rose?”

“She’s at a friend’s birthday party. It’s a sleepover. Apparently turning 10 is a really, really big deal.”

“2 months until you have to throw that party for her,” Nadine says with a laugh.

“Ugh, don’t remind me.”

It’s then that Mia cuts in, only pausing to poke Blessing on the nose, and stands directly in front of Nadine just to annoy her. “Viv, I need pregnancy advice. Is it normal having to pee this much? I hate it. This is why I didn’t drink enough water when I was in high school.”

Well, that’s her cue. She elbows Mia sharply in the back before hurrying into the kitchen where her mother and Junior are to avoid retaliation.

They’re preparing to set the table, so she makes to hand Blessing off to Junior except he does an impressive job of wrapping himself around her back like a sloth on a branch. Junior bellows out a laugh.

“He likes you more than me.”

Nadine pulls a face. “Ma likes you more than me, so it evens out.”

Nadine’s mother thwacks her over the head. “I don’t play favourites.” Grace whisks by, picking up the plates as she does. Her mother follows after her with the rest of the plates. “Never mind, Grace is my favourite.”

Junior makes an indignant sound from the back of his throat.

“Can—Can you take a picture?” Nadine asks, gently removing Blessing’s entire hand from her face. “I’d like to show my— Chloe.”

“Sure,” Junior says, raising an eyebrow. “Your Chloe?”

“Shut up,” she huffs.

Blessing chooses this exact moment to sling himself over her shoulder, making her yelp and grab onto his arms to steady him. He laughs, waving his fists in the air like he has won something.

Chloe will love that picture.

“Eish, what are you feeding him?”

Junior tucks his phone away and grins a boyish grin. “Love.” Nadine wrinkles her nose. “Viv learned how to make some kind of pasta and he’s obsessed with it. We have leftovers still in our fridge.”

He stops disjointedly, in a way that makes it clear he expects a reaction from Nadine.

She frowns. “Okay?”

“Where’s Chloe?”

“Australia, with her mum. She flies in on Sunday.”

Junior hums and pushes a salt shaker with a single finger, looking too nonchalant to actually be nonchalant. “You and Chloe are welcome to come over for pasta, if you want and if you’re still around next weekend.”

Nadine, jaded from years of being the oldest sibling, is instantly wary, narrowing her eyes at him. “What’s the catch?”

“There is no catch.”

“Liar.”

Junior huffs, plucking Blessing out of her arms and setting him onto the island. “Seriously. No catch.”

“Okay,” she says slowly, cautiously, “We’ll come over for dinner next Friday?”

“Great! Show up at 6:00.” He claps his hands together. “Reheat the pasta and have a glass of wine, on me. Rose needs help with math homework and Blessing likes to watch Kim Possible, we have DVDs. Bedtimes at 8:30; Blessing usually passes out earlier. We’ll be back midnight at the latest.”

“You said there was no catch!”

“Does spending time with your beloved niece and nephew really count as a ‘catch’?” he asks, snooty, with air quotes to top it all off.

Nadine sighs. “Yes, but we’ll be there.”

She loves family reunions, really. Especially the fact that it’s only compulsory once a year, barring Hanukkah.

Chloe has met her siblings and her mother before. Not during the family reunion due to unfortunate timing, but on separate occasions over the year and a half they’ve been working together. She has never met Rose or Blessing.

Junior and Viv like her enough to have a group chat with her (one that Nadine has tried to join, but had been ruthlessly denied entry by her partner after a sharp cackle), so she’s not surprised that the first thing Chloe says to her after catapulting herself into Nadine’s arms at the airport is: “Heard I’m a babysitter. Try not to crush on me, china.”

Nadine had laughed into her neck at that, made a quip about how she smelled like an aeroplane.

Now, they’re on Junior’s porch, seeing the happy couple off on their date night.

“What are your intentions with Viv?” Chloe jokes, nudging Junior with a conspiratorial wink. Viv snorts.

“Curfew’s eleven,” Nadine calls after them.

“They grow up so fast.”

“Ja.” Nadine smiles then, leaning against the door so Chloe can pass through first. “Ready?”

“To eat good food, drink, and watch 2 kids for a couple of hours? Not that hard, is it?”

Nadine bends to take off her shoes, about to reply with something smart, but Blessing comes pounding down the hallway, blowing right past Chloe and taking an impressive leap onto Nadine’s back. He snakes his arms around her neck and wiggles his legs until she stands.

Nadine gives Chloe a look.

“All right, maybe I misjudged.” Chloe leans closer in, curious, face startlingly close to Nadine’s. “Hey, I’m Chloe. You’re Blessing, right?”

Blessing squints, puckers his lips, then gives one decisive nod, chin digging into Nadine’s shoulder. “This is Auntie.”

Chloe’s face dissolves into an endeared beam. “I know her!”

Nadine tries very hard not to flush out of pure adoration. She’s not sure if it works because Chloe doesn’t mention it.

“Where’s your sister, B?”

“Here,” Rose says, skidding down the hallway in her socks. “Who’re you?”

Chloe holds out a hand which Rose takes and shakes enthusiastically. “Chloe. I work with your Auntie.”

When she turns, Nadine furrows her eyebrows, hands tightening imperceptibly under Blessing’s legs. She tilts her head when Nadine brushes by, suddenly feeling bereft.

Before Nadine can disappear into a room, Chloe stops her with a hand on her stomach.

“Don’t tell, but I think she has a crush on me,” Chloe stage whispers to Rose. “I told her not to.”

Rose’s eyes grow wider. “Do you like her back?”

Chloe stands then, smiling at Nadine brilliantly. “I do.”

This time, Nadine’s certain she’s blushing and judging by how Chloe’s started to leer at her, she must look redder than usual.

Before Rose can ask any more questions, Nadine hikes Blessing higher up and moves towards the end of the hallway.

“C’mon, Rose. Let’s watch some TV while Chloe heats dinner up,” she says, jerking her head towards the kitchen door for Chloe. “Your dad said you need help with math?”

Rose lets out a very loud and long groan at that.

After Nadine is directed to the collection of Kim Possible DVDs and sets it up, she sends Rose off to grab her homework. Then, she pries Blessing away from his Barbies and props him against one hip.

Chloe’s humming a tune and opening random drawers when Nadine finds her in the kitchen. She’s got an apron hanging from her neck, even though she’s literally just popping something into the microwave and opening a bottle.

Blessing reaches for the counter, so she sets him down. “Chloe, I’m hungry!”

Chloe spins and catches Nadine’s eye briefly. “Yes, yes,” she says, “give me a minute, love. Impatience runs in the family, I guess.”

Nadine chuckles, crossing the distance and tugging the loose ends of the apron. “You’re one to talk.”

“Oh, hush.” She leans back a little, into Nadine’s warmth.

She turns after a beat, corners of her mouth tipped up, and catches Nadine’s mouth in a kiss. It’s nice, for about two seconds, then Blessing starts drawing out an “eww” and smacking his palms on the table.

Chloe pulls away, eyes still half-lidded. “I was gonna say they were adorable, but…”

Nadine huffs a laugh and narrows her eyes at Blessing. “What are you complaining about?”

“Rose does that when mama kisses daddy,” he says matter-of-factly.

“Hm,” she says, “keep doing that, champ.”

Chloe barks out a laugh, lightly slapping Nadine’s arm. Nadine grabs her wrists, kissing her chastely before pulling away completely.

“The forks are behind you.”

“Thanks,” Chloe says, not moving and hauling her back in. Nadine looks unimpressed.

Blessing groans again.

“What does the apron say, soldier?” KISS THE COOK. That’s probably Junior’s. She grimaces at it with great disdain. “So?”

In response, Nadine untangles herself from Chloe and places Blessing into his usual spot at her hip.

“Ah, figures.”

Rose is waiting in the living room when they all return, pasta in hand; one bowl each for the kids and a big plate for Chloe and Nadine to share. Fewer dishes to do this way. Plus, Nadine only has one hand to spare, the other keeping Blessing from wriggling onto the floor.

After setting the bowls down, Chloe presses play on the first episode and puts the volume lower so Rose can concentrate.

Poised over the couch, Nadine cranes her neck to watch Blessing tuck his face into her back, holding on stubbornly.

”Off! Off, off, off.” After a moment, he grabs tighter onto her shoulders. “No?”

Blessing shakes his head. “No.”

“You asked for it.” She grabs onto his legs for safety and starts to hop in place—once, twice, three times. Blessing squeals in her ear. On the fourth time, she drops into a squat, so that his legs are on the couch and scrapes him off her back. “Time for dinner, B.”

He pouts, eyes wide. “Aw, boo.” It takes her a hot second to resist that. Atrocious.

She pushes the lime green bowl and matching plastic fork into his hands. “If you want to grow taller than your sister, you gotta eat up.”

When she looks over to Chloe, she’s on the floor next to Rose with her homework out on the coffee table some ways away from the couch. She’s watching Nadine, jaw cupped in her palm, with a soft look.

Nadine, self-conscious, looks away and scoots closer to Rose’s other side. “What?”

“Nothing,” Chloe says after a beat, bending closer to look at Rose’s paper. Almost immediately after, she touches Rose’s hand before she can write something down and quietly points out her mistake.

They get through two episodes in relative peace before Blessing decides that he’s done with his dinner and bonks the bottom of the bowl lightly on Nadine’s head. Chloe stifles a laugh at Nadine’s exaggerated outrage.

She takes the bowl from Blessing, towering over him as he giggles madly into a pillow.

“This is my shield,” he declares.

Nadine crosses her arms. “That’s not fair. I don’t have a sword.”

“Victory!”

Chloe doesn’t try hiding her delight this time.

It’s only another Kim Possible episode later that Blessing calms down enough to sit still on the couch. Nadine scrapes his leftovers onto their shared plate.

Rose has picked her entire bowl clean and has been sipping at a glass of milk Chloe had gotten for her when Nadine had been busy entertaining Blessing. When Nadine offers her a second serving, she just shakes her head, brows furrowed at the question on her paper.

Finally, she turns her attention to Chloe who is, funnily enough, engrossed with the Kim Possible episode playing.

She jerks her head up when Nadine places her hand on her back, startled.

“Go eat on the couch, I’ll watch Rose.” She promptly shoves the plate into Chloe’s hands and plops down onto the ground, leaving no room for argument.

“Last one,” Rose says, tapping her pencil on the table.

Nadine leans over her arm to look at the paper. “Do you need any help?”

“Nope,” she replies, popping the p. She scribbles something down, then crosses it out. “Auntie?”

“Ja?”

“I think Chloe likes you,” she whispers, glancing back at Chloe who’s using Blessing’s head as an armrest while he squirms under her, mouth open in his best attempt at a roar.

Nadine tries not to smile, turning back to Rose. She fails. “You mean like-like?”

Rose puts her pencil down and scowls at her. “I’m not 8. I can say love.”

“You’re 9.”

Rose scoffs, pointedly going back to her homework.

Nadine feels nervous all of a sudden, and bizarrely, embarrassed. She’s 32, Chloe 35, and they have yet to say the L-word. Not that she can presume to know how Chloe feels, but she knows how she feels.

They’ve been officially together just over a year now. The months before it, they had spent sleeping with each other sporadically when they met up for a job. Back then, Nadine knew how she felt too. Her feelings hadn’t been quite as deep as they were now — maybe fondness. She felt that whatever they had, if they both allowed it, would last and for a very long time.

A year, they’ve lasted so far. She knows all the little things now. Chloe’s morning routine, her weird figures of speech, which side she sleeps on. She knows the important things and the unimportant things that Nadine cherishes equally to the former.

They have lasted and strengthened, taking Nadine’s feelings lightyears past simple fondness. She wonders sometimes, considering the trajectory, if she can find the words to describe it if her feelings stretched past love. For now, that word will do.

She loves Chloe, this she has known for months. Chloe certainly likes her in a way that extends past the shallow.

She drags a hand down her forehead. It’s one thing to think it, another to confront it head-on, but Nadine Ross has never been a coward. Cautious, yes, but not cowardly.

She puts her chin on the table, watching the top of Rose’s pencil wave in the air as she writes.

“I like Chloe too,” Nadine says, voice low because if Chloe overheard, she would never hear the end of it.

Rose finishes what she’s written with a flourish, then copies Nadine, putting her chin on the table. “Only like?”

“More than,” Nadine replies, pausing to gather her courage. Then, scandalously: “Love.”

“Ooh, Auntie,” Rose teases, mocking, in a whiny tone that you’d expect from a pre-teen boy sneering “cooties!”

“I thought you were mature,” says Nadine, reaching out to poke Rose’s cheek.

Rose turns her nose up. “I’m only 9.”

Nadine laughs. Rose is so obviously Junior and Viv’s child, she can’t help the sudden urge to hug her.

She gets away with swinging Rose into the air and carrying her over her shoulder, running twice around the room as she laughs and lets Nadine do this without complaint. Afterwards, they collapse onto the couch where Chloe’s got Blessing in her lap, the both of them watching the screen intently.

Rose gets comfortable, settled between Chloe and Nadine, while Nadine tries to sneak pictures of them all together.

She gets away with two before Chloe cuts away from Ron Stoppable in his tree house and looks directly at the camera. She gives Nadine a winning grin, tightening her arms around Blessing’s middle.

By 8:30, Blessing’s dozing off on Chloe’s sternum, snoring lightly. Similarly, Rose is nodding off against Nadine’s arm.

Sharing a look, they both get up, carrying a Ross in their arms. Nadine shushes Rose when she jolts awake, instinctively rocking on the balls of her feet in an attempt to get Rose to fall back asleep.

They go up the stairs to another hallway, Nadine leading Chloe to a door that has the letter R painted on it in baby blue. She sets Rose down in her bed, pulling the blanket over her shoulders and turning the A/C off in case it gets colder at night.

“The night light,” Chloe whispers. Nadine flips it on before ushering Chloe out, towards the door with B painted in mauve.

Chloe does the motions: tucking Blessing in, checking the A/C, and finding the night light.

Nadine leans against the doorframe, waiting for her to finish with the curtains. It’s weird, seeing Chloe like this. Not in a bad way, no. Nadine finds that she can watch Chloe do this for hours, fascinated.

There’s a warmth blossoming in her chest, the kind she feels when she’s come home for the first time in a while for Hanukkah and her family is gathered around the room, closer together because it’s cold outside.

Nadine is not entirely sure what she’s supposed to do with this.

In the end, Chloe finishes up and interrupts her introspection, shooing her away so she can close the door. As is natural by now, Chloe grabs her hand and gives it a pull towards the stairs. Nadine grips back before she can drop her hand away.

They don’t speak until they’re back in the living room, Kim Possible still playing on low volume. They won’t leave until Junior and Viv get back, in case the kids wake up again.

Out of nowhere, Chloe makes a thoughtful noise after easing onto the couch with a sigh.

Nadine examines her face, eyebrows hiking up when Chloe’s eyes flick to meet hers and discovers that they are arrestingly determined.

She uses her free hand to pull Nadine in for a languid kiss. It’s fairly innocent for them, so Nadine’s unsurprised when Chloe settles back into the couch after they part, focused on the TV.

“Liefie,” she says, waiting for Chloe to look over. “I think I like the babysitter.”

Chloe chuckles, pressing into Nadine’s side. “That’s convenient. I think I like the babysitter, too.”

It’s quiet then. Nadine’s content like this.

They get through three and a half episodes of Kim Possible before Chloe makes a really undignified noise at something that happens on screen and Nadine has to hide a laugh behind a cough. Chloe catches it and scowls at her.

“Hey now, Ross, that wasn’t—”

“Calm down, I won’t tell anyone that you’re a die hard Kim Possible fan.”

Chloe harrumphs, sprawling onto Nadine more so that she’s half on top of her.

Nadine winds her arm around Chloe’s waist and turns so her nose brushes Chloe’s cheek.

“Liefie,” she says again.

“Mhm,” Chloe replies distractedly.

“I love you.”

Chloe stiffens, and in quick succession, relaxes, tenses, and relaxes again.

She turns her head, swaying back so she can see Nadine’s face properly. Then, she smiles, eyes wrinkled at the corners and all, and says, “I love you too.”

Nadine can’t help but kiss her. This one is longer, more earnest.

And Chloe pulls away, sucking in a breath. “We should pick this up when we go back to the apartment.”

“Self-control? For once?” Nadine says against her jaw.

“I want to watch my favourite show: Kim Possible,” Chloe replies, voice light with mirth. “You’re just here for the commercial breaks.”

“It’s a DVD.”

Chloe blindly pats her face, mhms absentmindedly, and accepts a kiss to her cheek.

Nadine loves her for it.

[loli--dolly]

Vanity - Death Note 1

Parties like these were not among Vanity’s interests, yet she always seemed to get roped into them. She guessed that was just the way it was when you were the Heiress to a multimillion company, but there were still other ways she’d rather spend her time. She was 19 after all, who could expect her to just stand around, drinking champagne with men twice her age and actually engage in business conversation? Well, besides her mother who had a habit of bribing her into these things.

It was another one of their famous deals with each other. If Vanity could behave and act like a proper Heiress until the merge with Yotsuba then she would allow her to stay in Japan to work at her cousin’s salon. While Vanity had already accepted her fate as the next CEO of her family’s company, she still had dreams to be a makeup artist and hair stylist. That’s where her passion was, and she wouldn’t pass up the chance to pursue it.

Her mother had already kept to her word, and bought Vanity a high end apartment to live in while she did her internship. So Vanity had to keep to her word and attend this stupid party. She sighed and tossed back her glass, just wishing the night would be over. It had only been hour, and she had at least another two to go. At least afterwards she could call her friends and talk about how lame the whole thing was.

She glanced over and saw her Mom charming some men, which wasn’t surprising. As much as she hated to admit it, her Mom was really attractive. Hell, if Vanity was older they could have almost been twins, excluding the icy blue eyes she inherited from her Father. Vanity had wished she had took more after her Dad than she did, but unfortunately she closer to her Mom than she would like.

It wasn’t like Vanity hated her Mom, but their relationship was extremely tense. She was sure that her Mom was ecstatic to leave her in Japan for a few years, she wouldn’t have to be ‘embarrassed’ by her anymore. Well that was fine with her, Vanity had no issues in not seeing her for years either. Still, there was something about the knowledge that she was being dumped here that was enough to make her skin crawl. She wanted revenge.

She glared at her Mom, who laughed lightly at something one of the men had said, and decided that she couldn’t stand to watch anymore of it. She sat her glass down on one of the nearby tables, and went out onto a nearby balcony for some air. The sounds of the party inside was muffled out, and she was grateful for it. As she leaned against the balcony, enjoying the light breeze in the air, Vanity wondered how exactly she could even get revenge.

The time window was short, so it wasn’t like she could do anything over the top. She could call her Dad and cry about how she felt abandoned, at least that way she could get them to argue. Her Dad was the only person beside her that could truly get under her Mom’s skin. She was still salty about the divorce, and was constantly trash talking her ex-husband, it was kind of funny. Yeah, maybe that would work, but Vanity still wished she could do something more. Something that would truly piss her Mom off, so much that she would shake with anger.

As she pondered this she failed to notice someone else had joined her, and jumped when they spoke,

“Excuse me, I don’t mean to bother you, but you don’t seem like you’re enjoying yourself.” Looking up she saw an older man beside her. He was probably around her Dad’s age, bald, and wore sunglasses. She recognized him as one of the heads of Yotsuba, but she couldn’t be bothered to remember which one. Disinterested she looked back out towards the city, admiring how pretty it actually looked at night,

“Hm, aren’t you observant. I guess you can say I’m not a fan of these types of parties.”

“I see. I can almost agree with you.I also don’t particularly enjoy these types of things, but they are necessary. You’ll learn that when you take over your parents’ company.” Vanity wrinkled her nose as she said this, not wanting to think about having to spend the rest of her life networking.

“Solo matame ahora.” She mumbled, not worried about her choice of words since she was sure he probably couldn’t understand Spanish. She kind of just wanted to be alone, but decided that maybe it would be good for her to play nice. After all it was part of the deal with her mom.

“What about you? Nothing better to do than to talk to me?” He seemed slightly amused by her question, but answered nonetheless,

“I’ve been watching you all night, and I suppose I was curious. Our companies are going to merge soon, and it’s rare to meet the next in line. Considering your mother’s age I would’ve assumed she wouldn’t have an heir until years from now.”

“She had me young,” Vanity shrugged, “And I’m not even the oldest in my family. My sister is older than me by 6 years, but she’s too much of a hot mess to take over anything. So it got dumped on me instead.”

“I take it you have no interest in it?”

“Nope,” she shook her head, not caring how bad it sounded, “I’m doing it purely out of obligation, and I’m pursuing a different career path right now anyway.”

She crossed her arms and leaned against the railing, wishing she had never been forced into this mess. She hated that she had been handed this company that she didn’t want, and she hated the fact she couldn’t drop it without her family going broke. It sucked!

“You said it yourself too, my mom isn’t very old. She can stay the CEO for at least another fifteen years, and by that time she’ll probably remarry and have another kid anyway. So this might not even end up my problem.” She realized this probably wasn’t a good thing to say to someone that she was about to merge with, but at least she was honest. She couldn’t pretend she was happy about being the next CEO, she was just accepting of it.

The man didn’t seem offended by it, however, and even chuckled a bit. Vanity was actually a little surprised and looked up at him with big blue eyes,

“You really are a fiery one, aren’t you? I don’t think your mother would be happy to hear any of that. She doesn’t seem like an easy person to deal with.” Vanity couldn’t help but crack a smile when he said that,

“Yeah, well, now you know why she’s divorced. And you’re right, she’d probably throw me off this building if she heard me say that. It makes me kind of glad I won’t see her for a few years.” Maybe it was because insulting her Mom was her favorite past time, but Vanity felt herself ease up a bit.

“Off to college?”

“Yeah, I’ll be going to To-Oh University in a few months. My cousin has a salon in town so I’ll be working there too.” Honestly it was the only thing she was looking forward to. She’d miss her friends, but she was charismatic enough to make new ones here. At least she hoped so. She had Bella to hang out with if anything else, so it’s not like she’ll get lonely.

“To-Oh University..that’s a pretty prestigious college. Congratulations on being accepted.”

“Is it? I just applied because it was close by.” It was the truth, and Vanity felt embarrassed when he started laughing. So much so that she raised her voice, “¿Qué? ¡No te rías! ¡Yo podría comprarte!”

That only seemed to humor him more, and in hindsight the sight of a small Hispanic girl yelling at a large Japanese man was pretty funny. Still she didn’t enjoy being laughed at, it was a pet peeve. To save herself the consequences of slapping him she turned to leave, deciding to spend the rest of her time sulking in the bathroom, but was stopped when he lightly grabbed her arm,

“My apologies, that rude. I wasn’t trying to offend you.” Vanity glared at him, firmly pulling her arm away.

“Well, you did. Don’t you know how to talk to women? They typically don’t enjoy being laughed at.”

“No, I guess they don’t. Please forgive me, it won’t happen again.” Vanity couldn’t help but pout a little bit, but she decided to give him some leeway. At least he admitted that what he did was insulting, and he apologized. Before she could say anything else, however, he said, “Allow me to make it up to you. There’s a nice restaurant downtown, we should go sometime. You’ll be in Japan awhile, and it will be good for you to get some understanding about what’s around.”

Vanity considered this, wondering if it was a good idea or not. On one hand, she loved free food, but on the other she barely knew this guy. He was more than twice her age, and if she fucked anything up then this merge would be a bust. Finally she shook her head,

“I’ll pass. For one I don’t want you to feel obligated to treat me. And for two, I doubt you want to spend your time with a teenager. Apparently we’re annoying and difficult to deal with.” The man shook his head,

“I disagree. You’re very mature for your age. You’re honest, clearly intelligent, and you have goals you want to accomplish. That’s more than a lot of people your age have nowadays. You’re also quite beautiful as well, I would be honored to spend more time with you.” Vanity flushed a bit. She was used to people complimenting her appearance, but never her personality. No one had ever called her mature, or even acknowledged she had her next five years planned out. It was...nice.

Still, going on a date with an older man..She had never done something like that before. She didn’t necessarily have Daddy issues, and she had never thought about dating someone over 26, so how was she supposed to date a guy who was probably in his forties? And if her Mom found out she’d be so pissed off who knew how badly she would tell Vanity off.

That’s when it clicked; Vanity’s perfect revenge. After her Mom left for America Vanity could do whatever she wanted. Her end of the deal would be fulfilled, so it’s not like her Mom could say she was breaking any rules. She would just be embarrassed by her daughter being able to date her own coworkers. It was as funny as it was pathetic, and it would surely be enough to make her Mom squirm.

With that thought in mind Vanity pushed back some hair over her ear, and smiled a little bit, “Ok then, Mr...”

“Call me Ooi.”

“Ooi...Just tell me when.”

[bluelionlogs]

Blue Lion Log: Entry 2

It’s been about two days since my last log and things haven’t changed all that much. Blue’s systems seem to be undamaged from the crash, so they’re working perfectly fine in keeping the air fresh and temperature bearable for now. I have no idea how long that will last. If Coran were around, or Hunk, or even Pidge, they’d be able to calculate the time remaining with scary precision, and then would probably be able to double, if not triple, that time with their equally scary mechanical abilities. But, of course, they aren’t here. It’s just me. The most useless paladin of this Voltron group.

Why am I the one still left here? I just don’t get it!

I mean there was Shiro, and he was just… just everything really. A legend, even before becoming a paladin. A natural leader, a genuinely good person. He was the best of us. And then he was…

And Hunk! Hunk should have outlasted us all with his strength and genius! No one in the universe can match his mechanical abilities! He and Pidge should have been able to build their way out of what happened, or come up with some plan, or something. Especially Pidge, who was too smart for this whole thing. Too smart for all of us.

And… and Keith… Godammit Keith...I just…

I don’t understand. I don’t understand any of this. I feel like I’m going crazy here, but I can’t tell if it’s because of the situation or because of the noise. You would think a deserted planet would be too empty and too quiet and that’s what would send a man into insanity, but no. These blizzards just slam right up against Blue and surround us with screaming, and honestly I don’t know how much more I can take before I’m trying to mutilate my own ear canals. And the overwhelming amount of whiteness when I look out Blue’s windows— I swear I’m starting to go blind from it. Won’t be long before I start hallucinating, and then who knows what’ll happen to me.

Heads up: if you find my body frozen somewhere out in that wasteland, it’s probably because I went insane and thought I was taking a nice, long stroll along some beach or something.

That actually doesn’t sound like too terrible a way to go, to be honest.

This would all be so much easier to handle if I just had someone to talk to. I’ve always been surrounded by people, ever since I was born. And even when I was floating out in space billions of miles from home, I still had all of the paladins and alien beings we met along the way to keep me company, so this whole solitude thing really isn’t working for me. Like at all. I need conversation, and warmth, and the feeling of having someone on my side.

You’re on my side, aren’t you? Whoever you are? I mean I know we’ve only just met— in like the vaguest possible way of meeting anyone without actually ever meeting them— but I really feel like I can confide in you. Like we have some sort of bond.

And, to be frank, I really need someone to talk to and you’re the closest thing I’m going to get, so you’re just going to have to deal with my rambling. And if you don’t want to, well… screw that, I’m going to do it anyways.

But since we’re just meeting each other and all of that, I guess I should start by telling you a little about myself and where I come from. Maybe a bit about my family too, because, to be honest, my family is the absolute best. And I’m not just saying that because I’m biased.

See, I was born the youngest of four siblings in a tiny, private institution near Cardenas, Cuba called Galaxy Garrison Outpost #3, because yeah, my parents are awesome like that.

Now I get that you, whoever you are, probably don’t understand why this can be considered awesome because either a) you aren’t from Earth at all and these words are all meaningless, or b) Earth has changed so much by the time you find this that Cuba and/or Galaxy Garrison no longer exist and therefore hold no significance to you, so let me just say once again that my parents are awesome.

See, where I come from, Galaxy Garrison exists as a space exploration agency that was originally founded as a military project. It still holds a lot of military influence in the way it’s run, what with all the personnel rankings and specialized academies and a rulebook the size of a fully-grown Arusian, and that kind of makes being a Garrison officer and a parent at the same time really difficult.

That’s only counting for one kid. My parents had four. And they were still the best parents any kid could ever ask for. So yeah, they’re just a little bit badass.

Galaxy Garrison kind of runs in my family, to be honest. I’m pretty sure I have at least one great-great-great-grandparent on both my mom and dad’s sides that were part of the original organization, and every generation after that usually had one or two Garrison officers. All four of my grandparents had at least some connection to the Garrison that ranged from secretary (my paternal grandfather) to fleet commander (my maternal grandmother). My aunt on my mom’s side eventually inherited that fleet commander position when I was about six or seven-- a responsibility that meant I always saw less of her and my uncle than I liked.

(My uncle, surprisingly, actually wasn’t part of the Garrison, but he was still badass in his own way. He owned a surf shop near the Garrison outpost in California, and taught me how to surf when I eventually moved there for the Academy.)

My parents, in comparison, were pretty low-ranking officers, and they liked it that way. They met when my mom was sent from California to Cardenas to help establish a training center for the Garrison outpost and had to work side by side with my dad for several months. From what she’s told me, she originally hated my dad’s guts when they first met, but then they ended up engaged by the time the project was finished so that first impression apparently didn’t last long. And my mom was happy to pick up a desk job in the newly-expanded outpost so they could stay together, just as long as my dad took her last name when they married, which he did, and Mom always gloated over that fact.

“He got the place, but I got the name,” she’d crow whenever the story came up. Then my dad would huff and start talking about how the only reason she agreed to marry him was because he was willing to take the McClain name when all her other suitors wouldn’t, and Mom would smile but she’d never deny it. Not completely. I don’t know for sure why that was so important to her. It might have been a legacy thing. Or maybe she just didn’t like the name Sanchez.

That’s one thing I really wish I had asked when I had the chance. I guess I’ll never know now.

But anyway, despite being officers, or perhaps because they were so lowkey about it, I was the only one of my siblings to actually pursue a career with Galaxy Garrison. My oldest sister thought about it for a while, but she ended up deciding it wasn’t the path for her the year before she needed to apply to the Garrison Academy and instead pursued a passion for teaching that led her to a local primary school, a loving husband, and two impossible children-- my niece and nephew.

(I’m afraid to say they took a little too much after me and drove my sister nuts. Hopefully they won’t choose to follow in my footsteps. We don’t need more McClain’s disappearing into space, after all.)

My other sister didn’t even consider joining Galaxy Garrison. Just hopped on a plane as soon as she had the money and worked her way around the globe doing odd jobs, like the free spirit she’d always been. My brother, on the other hand, decided his future was in medicine. He was making his way through med school when I found Blue and… disappeared on them, I guess. For almost five years...

God, that must have been painful when Galaxy Garrison contacted them. I wonder what they said about me. I wasn’t even cleared for space stuff yet, so they couldn’t do another cover-up like with Shiro’s Kerberos mission. Maybe it would have been better if they had though. At least my family could have gotten some closure. Could have felt like I died for something important.

Not to say that I regret joining Voltron, but-- well no, actually I do regret it. At least a little. I mean, I wouldn’t be in this situation if I hadn’t joined Voltron. I wouldn’t be stranded alone on this godforsaken planet, just waiting to die because there’s nothing else I can do. Wouldn’t be going insane from the screaming of wind and ice scraping against Blue. Wouldn’t be alone and grieving for the two families I loved and then lost.

If I hadn’t joined Voltron, I wouldn’t have known this pain existed.

The only thing I’m thankful about right now is that, by joining Voltron, no one else had to suffer this in my place.

[safehavengleerpg]

Welcome to Save Haven Apartments, CRISTAL FRANS COHEN-CHANG! Please check in at the reception area and move in within 24 hours!

OOC PORTION:

NAME: Violet

AGE: 21

PRONOUNS: she/her/hers

RP EXPERIENCE: 8 years

TIME ZONE: GMT

IC PORTION:

FULL NAME: Cristal Frans Cohen-Chang

FAMILY NAME/TWIN: Cohen-Chang, Cousin.

BIRTH ORDER/AGE: Oldest

SEXUALITY: Lesbian

LYRIC/QUOTE DESCRIBING YOUR CHARACTER: “There are two of you in my head, and the other wins all the time; the one that pulls me down the abyss of regrets.”

FC: Im Jinah

HOMETOWN: Manhattan

TRAITS:

+ loyal, committed (to her work, anyway), meticulous

- (overly) skeptical, sarcastic, stoic

BIO:

tw: gun violence, depression, suicidal thoughts

Cristal grew up in the heart of Koreatown, Manhattan. While her family has numbers of residences scattered around the area, her parents were so focused on their business that they practically lived in their restaurant. Said restaurant was probably the very first Korean restaurant ever made — maybe even the reason why Koreatown began to exist in a country that was definitely not South Korea — and with Cristal as an only child by a young couple who’d just finished their degree in business, she, of course, was expected to follow the steps of her father: take over the restaurant, let it reign for another decade or more. Of course, like most cliche teenager story, Cris was not interested in taking over the business. She wanted to do something that involved art — turning images in her mind into images that could actually be seen. But here’s the thing: her parents wouldn’t take her seriously because Cris was horrible in drawing. Cris and a pencil on a paper was equal to disaster, so they continued pushing her towards the path of being a business-minded person. For the most part, she decided to go for it. She took subjects that would definitely help her out with that career in high school, and she was successful, in some way. Maybe it’s the inherited brain from her mother and father, but school was never hard for her. It was never hard to memorize answers for finals and familiarize herself with theories and definitions for oral recitations.For the most part, she seemed to be getting there. But even as she showed good grades and awards to her parents, they were never satisfied with what she had. They expected more — what else could she honestly give them? She was acing her exams, she was ruining people with her explanations and/or opinions. What else did they need from her? (Did they find out about her little stint at school where she volunteered to do the makeup of the actors for this little musical they’re doing for Christmas?) She got tired of it, so she left. She went on to live with her cousin, worked for a two years to sustain herself and help her cousin out with rent and other things, before finally moving out to live in her own apartment — and in the midst of it, she was recommended to study in this beauty institution — perhaps, one of the best in New York. She took it. It was the closest thing to what she actually wanted — maybe it was what she wanted, given the fact that she enjoyed it more often than not. And someone told her that her height was definitely model material, so she took that. Life was great. She was comfortable. Finally. But some things just don’t stay that way for some people. Things went shit when she was on her way to her class — a case of someone standing in the wrong place at the wrong time. She had been in the line of a gun’s range, and if she had noticed the man running towards her direction, maybe she would have been able to avoid the bullet that was supposed to him. It pierced through her thigh and shattered her bone. It was a fatal shot and, if it hadn’t been for a doctor nearby and the quick response from 911, Cris would have become a bed-ridden human. But she didn’t. She survived the incident, lived through the operation, got a metal bone as a replacement for her femur (an innovative idea of the hospital, apparently), and was resting on a hospital bed she resented so much. No one was beside her, mostly because she hadn’t listed anyone at all for emergency purposes. Not like her parents would care. Not like she would care after what she did. Well, there was her cousin, but she could only do so much during Cris’ brief stay at the hospital. So Cris was back to square one after all the mess. She couldn’t go back to school because she needed to recover — that’s what the doctor said. She couldn’t put too much pressure on her right thigh yet because it might cause further damage. She couldn’t do so much work because she might end up lying on a bed at the hospital again. She shouldn’t do anything if she actually wanted her body to get used to the foreign object inside it.

Cris was a useless mess for the weeks following that, wallowing in self pity inside her apartment whilst looking at the scar that ran down her right thigh. With that ugly scar on her thigh, who would actually contact her again to wear their clothes or wear their makeup? Maybe should have died of blood loss — that would make things less messier and harder — maybe shouldn’t feel as useless as she did. And maybe she was ready to do just that, but then someone was metaphorically knocking on her door, offering her the luxury to recover and do something about her life at the same time.

It was suspicious — at first. What if he was one of the men who had almost killed her? Who’s to say that they weren’t there to end what they accidentally started? She saw too much, didn’t she? But he introduced himself as Adam, said that he was definitely not affiliated to anything that involved drugs and — maybe,she believed him as soon as she heard his name.

IC PARA: (Read above before completeing)

ANYTHING ELSE: Nick apparently loves me but he ignores me most of the time.