#qa technique

[yuesya]

Hi it's double-jump anon! The technique is explained in the new volume extras, so basically it's when a sorcerer releases a small burst of cursed energy at a 'surface of space' in order to maneuver mid-air. It's pretty advanced. Sukuna used it multiple times in the manga, and I think Higuruma did too. I think Shiki would really benefit from knowing this technique!

Hi and thanks for explaining! I'll probably have to try and look that up at some point, would you happen to remember which volume extra it was included in?

On the topic of whether or not Shiki would know of it, I think it depends/leaning towards no. Because if Sukuna used it and it was an old Heian technique or something along those lines, then it probably wouldn't make sense for Shiki, a modern sorcerer, to know about it. (Sort of like how sorcerers nowadays use Simple Domain, not Hollow Wicker Basket as an anti-domain technique.)

[faetealights]

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[yethiconsulting]

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Regression Testing: A Developer’s Guide

Regression testing is a critical part of the software development process, yet it often presents challenges that can hinder its effectiveness. Understanding and avoiding common pitfalls can help developers and QA automation tools create a smoother, more reliable testing process. This guide covers some of the most frequent issues encountered in regression testing and provides practical solutions.

One common pitfall is failing to prioritize test cases. Testing every single feature can be impractical, especially for large applications. Instead, prioritize high-risk and business-critical features that are more likely to be impacted by code changes. Another challenge is relying too heavily on manual testing; incorporating automation for repetitive regression tests can save time and improve accuracy, allowing teams to focus on complex scenarios.

Overlooking test maintenance is another common issue. As software evolves, outdated tests may lead to false positives or negatives, wasting time and resources. Regularly updating and refactoring test cases can help prevent this.

By proactively addressing these and other pitfalls, developers can create a more efficient regression testing strategy that ensures software remains stable and reliable, even as it evolves.

[the-nosy-neighbor]

Hypnosis in Welcome Home, Part 3

Stills from the Commercials video, which also show intensity in the eyes:

Edit: That was half a thought. In this scene, it appears that Eddie is remembering something as images are projected on his forehead (a comparison to images running through his mind).

Eddie remembers something, has a repressed memory come to the surface?  I theorized before that this was the image of him and Frank as husbands. When I look at the image, it is similar in the white clothes, but the watchband is different, and I can't make Frank out in this image.

In this segment of the Commercials video, we see Home’s eye up close and mesmerizing.  It looks a lot bigger than it does in other shots, and is shot at an upward angle, which makes it look more threatening.  As th shot pans, more of Home’s pupils expand, almost filling the windows. 

We see an image of the pea on a plate, which resembles an eye, and watch Eddie sweat.  He appears as a tiny figure amongst the toys of the holiday sets, with all the kits jumbled together. 

We also have the cuckoo clock that moves unnaturally, with the swinging pendulum that goes back and forth, mimicking the technique of a clock used to hypnotize (and suggesting a code to the beats).  Based on the fullest part of the swing and length of pendulum movement, I would say it is . - - - . . .

I still can’t make anything of it, though.  As the scene continues, Eddie is definitely affected, as seen through his eyes going wonky:

He remembers the ornament from last night with Poppy, with gravy dripping off.  Could this image be a repressed memory?  It feels like a metaphor for a bleeding heart.  He is dripping sweat, and possibly crying from these images.  One of the next scenes has a swinging light in it, which I’ve seen in representations of hypnotism. 

Movie representations of hypnotism on people, and then some intense eye contact and stress on Sally:

We are constantly being watched or looked at, which makes us potential candidates for hypnosis. In particular, we see lots of imagery of one open staring eye (link back to The Tell-Tale Heart):

Embroidered staring eye

Sun staring eye, then record staring eye

If this is an eye, what is it looking at?

Clock eyes with dilated pupils and direct stare (with Eddie having hooded eyes).  Something about the code being there, too—accessing hidden knowledge, maybe?

More dilated pupils and strange eyes looking at us:

Did all of that really happen Julie? 

In one of the secret Spring videos, We hear an echo of Wally questioning the truth of Julie’s statement.  She is remembering when she met Frank, but is really struggling to remember events.  This leads to Wally’s statement seeming to echo the storybook about Julie.  Did all of that really happen?  It suggests that either she is making it up, it is being or was implanted (false memory) or she is in a state where she can’t remember.  Hearing the voice alone could suggest that she is under some kind of influence. And the flower looks like a hypnotic ring somewhat, plus we have the view of the sun eye. Could Julie be hypnotized in some way?

The end result is that we doubt Julie knows what she is talking about.  Her voice changes and she has what appears to be an overreaction to a simple situation. 

Finally, we have the set of secret videos where Wally is the viewpoint and he has no reaction to anything happening until his name is spoken. It's almost like he is hypnotized, but that his name is the trigger that breaks the hypnosis.

I don't think I have the tightest argument here because of the many pictures involved, but I do think we could make a case for very specific imagery related to hypnosis, examples of hypnosis in puppet world, and potentially in our world with Q, QA, and ourselves.

[shiningwonderland]

Ren Jinguji (Repeat)

Translator: Nadie (Twitter: NmoniaG)

Proofreader: Raz (Twitter: agnadance)

Editor: Snail (Twitter: herbert_snail)

QA: Rei (Twitter: wolfe_raine)

True Love End - With a Cantabile Kiss

Such a grand and magnificent voice. His technique was endlessly mesmerizing to everyone who listens.

Jinguji-san pushed the senses he was born with to the maximum. It was his greatest performance yet.

He had perfected not only the song but also every single move he made.

He had fully grasped how the audience saw and heard him and made his moves accordingly.

Even without seeing his movements, his voice alone was enough to feel the expression in his singing.

Each word was so clear that it went straight to the heart.

He made everyone here realize that once a prodigy like him puts effort into something, they're unbeatable.

Jinguji-san, you kept your promise to me.

"No matter what I have to sacrifice, I'll become a professional." You made me realize the weight of those words.

Before he went on stage, he told me that I'll understand when I hear the song.

After hearing his song, I understand that he used all his power to make my dream of debuting together come true.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Female Student A: Amazing... Not only was he cool and kind, but he's also such a talented person... I've never seen Ren-kun so passionate.

Male Student A: That was really awesome! There's no way anyone could beat him. Even if you scoured the globe, I doubt you could find anyone who could beat his voice.

Seiichiro Jinguji: Ren... you... I see now that this is a great song. I understand why you were so confident in it. You are an even more wonderful singer than our mother.

After the song ends, Jinguji-san bows deeply to the audience, then winks and throws them a kiss.

"WAAAH—!"

Almost every woman screams at the top of their lungs.

Jinguji-san makes his way to the edge of the stage, smiling at the shouts of joy as he goes.

Soon all the contestants had their turn, so now all we have to do is wait for the result.

The winner of the graduation audition will be determined by the votes of the audience and the nine judges, which include the principal.

Each of the nine judges can award up to ten points for a performance.

The audience votes for their favorite performance. First place with the most votes gets ten points, second place nine, and so on up to tenth place.

The winners will be the ones who have the most points from the two voting systems combined. They will be hired by the Shining Agency as a new idol and can take the next step towards becoming a top idol.

Students who don't win but score at least 85 points can still be hired by the Shining Agency.

There are also agents from other agencies watching the graduation audition…

Even if you don't get a chance to join the Shining Agency, you might still get scouted by other agencies.

If that's true, then that's good to know.

But it's different for me now. If I don't win, I can't become a professional.

Jinguji-san's singing and performance were perfect.

But the composition was made by me... I wonder if it could make full use of Jinguji-san's true strength...

The more amazing Jinguji-san becomes, the more anxious I get.

Ryuya Hyuga: The winner of this year's graduation audition is… Ren Jinguji!

An astonishing amount of cheering and applause erupts from the audience. And it is all directed at Jinguji-san.

Ryuya Hyuga: Here is your trophy. You imbued that song with your signature charm, complete with a stellar performance.

Ren Jinguji: Well, it's just that easy if I really try.

Ryuya Hyuga: Really, you... Well, you're not wrong. Honestly, you should have just done that from the beginning.

Ren Jinguji: That's different. It's the song that let me go all the way. It brought out my real strength, no, even more of my appeal.

Ryuya Hyuga: That so? In that case, you won this time because of the song.

Ren Jinguji: —And let's not forget the girls at the venue who cheered me on... Thank you… It's all thanks to everyone's support.

And with that, Jinguji-san lifts the trophy up high and winks at the audience.

This results in more shrill cheering.

Shining Saotome: You have secured such a large number of fans even before you made your debut? I expected nothing less!

Ren Jinguji: Well, it's more that the ladies can't get enough of me. But... there are more important things than that... Right?

Jinguji-san turns his attention to me while I'm still in the wing of the stage and flashes me a broad smile. My heartbeat quickens just by our eyes meeting.

When I heard this song earlier, I felt this overflowing love. I felt like I couldn't hold back those feelings anymore.

Although I had decided for us to remain partners as idol and composer...

I might accidentally tell him I love him again if I met him now.

I didn't know what to do, so I escaped from the wing of the stage without saying a word to Jinguji-san.

Ren Jinguji: …!

Our gazes only met for a moment, but as I was turning, I saw his eyes widen in surprise. He was about to say something.

Unable to stop, I leave this place behind.

I hurry away without a word, but it is for the best.

I can't possibly cause him more trouble after he has worked so hard, and I don't want to disappoint him.

But… I love him… I love him so much…

I can't stop these feelings, so it's better if we don't meet for now...

The door opens with a clatter and Jinguji-san bursts into the classroom.

Haruka Nanami: Jinguji-san!!

He must have been in a hurry. His shoulders heave with his ragged breathing.

Ren Jinguji: There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you, Lady. My goodness, why did you disappear so suddenly... Hah, hah...

Ren Jinguji: Did my song… not reach your heart?

Haruka Nanami: That's impossible! It clearly reached my heart!

Haruka Nanami: Your feelings about your desire to become a professional reached me to a painful degree. That's why I want to continue working with you...

Haruka Nanami: As your partner, I'll try not to cause you any trouble. So please let me stay with you!

… That… should be enough…

My love for him will only burden him. So this is enough.

Jinguji-san responds to my words by pushing his hair up with a troubled expression on his face.

Ren Jinguji: You're wrong... That's not what I was trying to convey... Besides, if that was the case, why did you run away?

Haruka Nanami: Ah, um... I'm sorry... I... got scared...

Haruka Nanami: I didn't know what to do... Listening to your song made my love for you overflow, I couldn't hold it back...

Ren Jinguji: …

Haruka Nanami: I have to organize my feelings.

Ren Jinguji: …

Haruka Nanami: With that in mind… I…

Ren Jinguji: …

Haruka Nanami: …

Ren Jinguji: … You were… scared? That should be my line.

Haruka Nanami: What…?

Ren Jinguji: … I was also scared… this whole time…

He was scared? Him?

Why…? I look intently at Jinguji-san's face.

Ren Jinguji: …

Haruka Nanami: …

Ren Jinguji: …

But he remains with a troubled expression on his face, looks as if he wants to say something, and then bites his lip hard.

Could it be because I said the word "love" again?

Could he be thinking of ending our partnership right now?

He has already told me that he is going to pretend that he did not hear it.

As professionals, our relationship should stay as composer and idol.

Just because I was irresponsible and confessed again... He must be completely fed up with me by now...

Haruka Nanami: … I'm sorry...

Unconsciously, my tears overflow.

Ren Jinguji: Why are you apologizing? There's nothing to apologize for. You're the one person I never want to make cry, and yet how did it end up this way…?

Ren Jinguji: —! …Despite loving you so much.

He mutters softly in a trembling voice, his fist slightly shaking.

Haruka Nanami: Huh…? What did you just say…?

I think I misheard. This cannot be true.

Ren Jinguji: It's so strange... I've whispered words of love so many times, and yet... When I'm in front of the person I really care about, I can't say a single decent line.

He hugs me, squeezing me tightly.

Ren Jinguji: …Haruka… I love you…

Ren Jinguji: It's hopeless, I can't think of any other words than these. But I was always so afraid... I was afraid you'd break if I touched you...

Ren Jinguji: I have never really loved someone like this. I didn't have the confidence to cherish anyone either.

Ren Jinguji: I never realized I was such a cowardly human being. The more I loved you, the more I was afraid of losing you... to the point where I couldn't touch you.

Jinguji-san…? A coward…?

Ren Jinguji: I wanted to treat you kindly, but I couldn't control these feelings well, so I ended up hurting you with my insincere attitude and words. All of this in spite of the fact that I love you very much.

Ren Jinguji: I was irritated because I was forcibly suppressing those emotions, and sometimes I even lashed out at you. Despite that, you were always kind and honest with me.

Ren Jinguji: Since I'm saying this all of a sudden, you may not believe me. But I'm going to say it as many times as it takes until you do. I'm in love with you and I cherish you very much.

Haruka Nanami: …!

Ren Jinguji: I've been in love with you ever since that day in August when you composed a song just for me. I love you so much, I’m losing my mind.

Ren Jinguji: No matter what, I wanted your dream to come true, I wanted you to become a composer. Helping you achieve this dream was my only expression of love...

Ren Jinguji: I misunderstood you, spun my wheels, and hurt you over and over again. I felt like I was being torn to pieces when I pushed you away while you were lost, hurting and barely holding on.

Ren Jinguji: Back then, however, I thought this was for the best. Because I know that spoiling people meaninglessly can make them useless so easily.

He did that… for me?

Ren Jinguji: Out of all people I didn't want you to become like that. I knew you could have collapsed under the circumstances, but I tried desperately to suppress the urge to hug you.

Ren Jinguji: I forced myself to act cold to you. But in reality, all I wanted was to embrace you, kiss you and let you cry as much as you want in my arms...

Ren Jinguji: I was depressed because I thought you hated me. I comforted myself by telling myself that as long as the results were good, I'd be okay. Now that your dream has come true, I can no longer hide my feelings.

Ren Jinguji: I love you. I can love no one but you. I love you so, so much that it's unbearable! I love you… I love you with all my heart.

He hugs me so tightly and whispers "I love you" in my ear over and over again.

Haruka Nanami: There are times when one song can convey a message better than a thousand words.

I lift my head and look into Jinguji-san's eyes.

Ren Jinguji: Huh…?

Haruka Nanami: Since the moment I heard your song I knew it. You conveyed it to me. But I was simply too scared to admit it…

Haruka Nanami: But what if I misunderstood? I didn't want to be shocked and gave up before believing it. I ran away, but now I don't doubt it anymore.

I understand without a doubt that he loves me deeply.

Ren Jinguji: Am I really enough? Are you really fine with me?

Haruka Nanami: … Yes.

I nod my head deeply.

A smile spreads over his whole face and he hugs me tightly once more.

Ren Jinguji: Thank you, Lady. I will definitely... make you happy.

He mumbles in a husky voice. His hand trembles as he gently combs through my hair.

Ren Jinguji: I love you... I love you, Haruka. So much, it's suffocating... Sorry, I can't hold back anymore...

After giving me a peck-like kiss, he smiles oh-so-softly for just a split second before leaning in for another one, longer and more passionate this time.

Haruka Nanami: …Nh…

We felt each other for what seemed like an eternity before slowly parting our lips.

And then we strongly and tightly embraced each other.

Ren Jinguji: I've… lost my composure. I'm so lame... But I like you so much that even my composure dissolves.

We look at each other and then kiss again. Then we stare intently at each other once again.

Ren Jinguji: Nh… Huff. Lady… We'll be together forever now. I won't let you go until the day I die. I'll never let you go...

Jinguji-san whispers into my ear.

And, at that moment.

Shining Saotome: Thanks, I've heard every last word!

The principal comes breaking through the ceiling of the classroom.

Haruka Nanami: What?! P-Principal!!!

Ren Jinguji: Boss… The mood was so good just now. Did you come here to interrupt us?

The moment Jinguji-san saw the principal's face, he returned to his usual composure.

Shining Saotome: YES, that's riiight! Canoodling in the classroom is a big Non Non Non!

Ren Jinguji: Excuse me, at least say that we were having a passionate moment.

Jinguji-san suddenly flashes a calm smile.

Haruka Nanami: J-Jinguji-san, you can't say that!

Ren Jinguji: It's okay, Lady. We can't hide anything from the boss, so there's no need to keep up appearances. Besides, no matter what anyone tells me, I'm not going to stop loving you.

Haruka Nanami: Jinguji-san…

Shining Saotome: Ignoring me and creating this rosy atmosphere is also a Non Non Non!

Haruka Nanami: Oh, s-sorry…

Ren Jinguji: So? What do you want to do? Expel us? Or maybe withdraw our victory? 

Jinguji-san asks, to which the principal sinks into deep thought with a "Hm."

Shining Saotome: … To do so now would only mean that society would look at ME with cold eyes...

Shining Saotome: That song was already exposed to the public. In addition, it was decided that this song would become a commercial song as soon as it won.

Shining Saotome: Things kept changing because of me, so I can't go back on my words. This song will be played on all the TV stations like crazy.

Shining Saotome: You guys will become the center of attention. You will be so famous that I can't fire you just because you love each other.

Ren Jinguji: Hmph. I was expecting you to say that, Boss.

Shining Saotome: But to think that you, someone who was raised without knowing love, got to find it here at my academy… Fate is an interesting thing.

Shining Saotome: Normally, I would pull you apart, even if it's by force... However, I believe you will grow stronger by loving each other.

Shining Saotome: Besides, your love can't be stopped even if I were to try. Looks like you two have already overcome quite a few obstacles.

The principal suddenly flashes a kind smile and looks at me.

Shining Saotome: I'm sure you'll be able to handle idol-work and "love" well at the same time.

Ren Jinguji: Naturally!

Jinguji-san's smile is brimming with confidence.

Shining Saotome: …"Naturally," you say? There you have it. Then let me see with my own eyes the future you are heading for.

Shining Saotome: I'm going to make a special exception for you just this once. BUT! Make sure the people around you don't find out!

Ren Jinguji: O.K., Boss. I'll show you my flawless acting.

Shining Saotome: I have high expectations for you!

And like that, the principal leaves the classroom.

Ren Jinguji: We should also get going. I can't pledge my love to you here properly.

Jinguji-san softly pulls me closer by my shoulder and starts walking.

Seiichiro Jinguji: There you were, Ren. You weren't in your room, so I looked everywhere for you.

Now Jinguji-san's big brother has appeared.

Ren Jinguji: What did you come here for?

Seiichiro Jinguji: I went to see Saotome earlier. Technically, I'm still your guardian, so I came to affix my seal on the letter of consent.

Seiichiro Jinguji: Starting tomorrow, you'll be a full-fledged member of the Shining Agency. Isn't that great?

Ren Jinguji: Thanks, I guess.

Seiichiro Jinguji: It was a great song. You shone so brightly. You seemed so bored of your life until now, but I'm glad you've finally found something important to you.

Ren Jinguji: Yeah, singing… and the love of my life.

Jinguji-san glances at me fleetingly.

Seiichiro Jinguji: I see... That's great to hear.

Ren Jinguji: Great to hear...? Do you really think so? It could be the source of a scandal.

He wrinkles his face, looking unconvinced.

Seiichiro Jinguji: I know you'll be fine. And if you love her, then I'm sure you won't try to expose her to the inane mass media.

Seiichiro Jinguji: And to be honest, I'm relieved. I wasn't sure if you could really love someone since you never received parental love.

Seiichiro Jinguji: Looks like that worry was unnecessary. Your eyes... they’re kinder now. That's why you're going to be okay now.

He flashes a kind smile. It's a smile that looks a lot like Jinguji-san's.

Seiichiro Jinguji: Besides, that person is no longer here. He had us at his mercy for too long. You’re free now.

Ren Jinguji: Free…? Brother, what are you talking about—

Seiichiro Jinguji: Well, I'm the heir, so I have to inherit the conglomerate. But you can live your life however you want, Ren...

Seiichiro Jinguji: I won't let anyone complain as long as I'm the head of the conglomerate.

Ren Jinguji: Brother... I always thought you hated me. I thought you hated me just like Daddy did...

Jinguji-san mutters in a dumbfounded tone.

Seiichiro Jinguji: I could never hate you. You are my precious little brother.

Seiichiro Jinguji: It’s true, we haven't had a conversation like this for a long time. Our age difference is quite big, and it seems that we have neglected to try to understand each other.

Seiichiro Jinguji: And... I'm sorry, I couldn't protect you because I couldn't stand up to our father. I'll make sure to protect you from now on.

Ren Jinguji: No need. From now on, I'll start a new life with my lady. So I don't need your help.

Jinguji-san tightly grasps my hand.

Ren Jinguji: It's enough for you to watch over me, brother. I'll go my own way without losing my way. So don't worry.

Seiichiro Jinguji: You have grown up, Ren. That must be thanks to you, Nanami-san. Looks like I'm in the way here, so I'll leave now... I wish you every happiness.

Haruka Nanami: Your big brother was a nice person after all. He really cares for you, Jinguji-san.

Ren Jinguji: Seems like it… He was always next to me, but I was so busy thinking about myself that I never noticed his real feelings. Looks like I've still got a lot to learn.

Ren Jinguji: I did not notice his affection when we were close. I notice it now at a time when we are separated. There was nothing I could give back to him...

Haruka Nanami: That’s fine! You can just focus on restoring your bond, one day at a time!

Haruka Nanami: We can work hard and help revive your brother's company together!

Haruka Nanami: For you and your brother, this would be like a collaboration!

Haruka Nanami: There are so many things we could do! …Oh, we should make a song first! —!! I just got inspiration for one phrase!

Haruka Nanami: I have to write it down… Um, where is my notebook…

Ren Jinguji: Here are your music sheets. You always work so hard. Not just for yourself, but for others as well. That's one of the reasons why I fell in love with you.

Jinguji-san hands me blank music sheets and a mechanical pencil.

Haruka Nanami: T-thank you very much! Um…

Ren Jinguji: You really are such a music lover... But... That's why you shine the brightest when you compose.

He whispers into my ear and gently pats my head.

Jinguji-san stays by my side and watches me tenderly until I've finished writing the composition.

Ren Jinguji: Ohhh… This is good. This song is just your style, it's nice.

Jinguji-san smiles happily at the finished sheet music.

Ren Jinguji: Oh, that's right. Lady, do you have some time later? I want you to spend some time with me.

Haruka Nanami: Of course!!

Haruka Nanami: U-um… Is it really okay for me to be here?

At Jinguji-san's insistence, I went to the boys' dormitory and to Jinguji-san's room.

Ren Jinguji: We're going to be saying goodbye to this place soon, so I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to make some memories while we still can.

He pulls me closer by my shoulder and kisses me on my cheek.

Haruka Nanami: Memories…?

What? What kind of memories?

He hugs me tightly from behind and whispers into my ear.

His breath tickles my ear and my body shudders instinctively.

Haruka Nanami: U-um… This is also Hijirikawa-sama's room... Won't it bother him if he comes back and I'm here...?

Ren Jinguji: Don't worry, he won't be back today. He'll be eating somewhere else with his father and little sister, since they've come to visit.

Haruka Nanami: Ah… I see…

Ren Jinguji: So... yeah. You get it, right? I can't contain myself anymore.

Jinguji-san puts his palm on mine and intertwines our fingers.

The heat I feel through our firmly joined hands reaches deep into my heart.

Ren Jinguji: I love you, Lady. I would like to do anything for you. What would you like? What do you demand from me? 

Haruka Nanami: Ah…um… I would be happy if we could stay together... I can't think of anything else... Um, I'm happy right now...

Ren Jinguji: How modest. I can't think like that. Lift your head… Nh…!

Haruka Nanami: …!

The kiss is so fiery I might melt.

Ren Jinguji: Just being together isn't enough. I want to touch you, kiss you and leave my marks all over your body to show that you're mine. Nh…

Haruka Nanami: … Ah…!

Jinguji-san's lips trace a line from my nape to the back of my neck.

Ren Jinguji: I love you. It's the first time I've ever loved someone like this.

Haruka Nanami: Ah… I… I love you too.

Loving someone for the first time and being loved for the first time can be quite confusing.

Ren Jinguji: Yeah, I know, Lady.

He hugs me securely and kisses the area around my eye.

Ren Jinguji: I want to treat you carefully, but at the same time I want to hug you so tight you might break. Even I am at a loss as to what to do.

Ren Jinguji: Surprisingly, I seem to be quite clumsy. I want to be gentle, but I can't hold back. I love you so much it's driving me crazy. All I want is you.

With his eyes gazing directly at me, I can feel my heart beating fast, thumping hard in my chest.

Ren Jinguji: I can't imagine a life without love or a future without you.

His arms tighten around me.

At this rate, he might hear my uncontrollable heartbeat.

Ren Jinguji: I'll keep saying it with my voice, with my hands, with my eyes. I love you. No one else, only you… Nh…

Haruka Nanami: … Nn…

It's an intense kiss that almost leaves me gasping for air, making me dizzy.

But it's so pleasant that I want to devote all of myself to him.

Haruka Nanami: … Ah…!

Everything is spinning, and the moment I start to wobble, Jinguji-san supports me lightly.

Ren Jinguji: …Huff… huff… Sorry, I guess that was a bit too passionate.

Haruka Nanami: …Ah… no… I also… want to feel you more… So…

Ren Jinguji: Are you sure you should say that? Remember, there's just the two of us here. You can't be sure what I'm going to do.

Ren Jinguji: Not even I seem to be able to hold back these emotions anymore. Will you still say yes to me? Are you sure, Haruka?

Haruka Nanami: … Yes.

Ren Jinguji: I love every part of you. I will cherish you more than anyone else in the world, so please... become mine. Nh—

And then Jinguji-san kisses me so passionately that I almost lose my mind.

Such fiery, intense and passionate love melts my heart. The time we spend in this delirium passes in the blink of an eye.

After that, Jinguji-san's workload increased every day. And so did his popularity.

I support him as his own special composer and his partner.

While things have been hectic, there has been no time for just Jinguji-san and I. But I'm happy that we're working hard together.

And then, one day…

Jinguji-san invited me to a party venue.

When I woke up this morning, I found a dress in my room with a note on it that said: "I want you to wear this dress and come to the party."

Confused, I put the dress on and hurried to the party venue.

Ren Jinguji: I've been waiting for you, Princess. Mm-hm, my choice was perfect. You look beautiful in this dress.

Haruka Nanami: U-um… What is this?

Ren Jinguji: Happy Birthday.

Haruka Nanami: Huh…? Oh… Today is my birthday…

My birthday… He remembered it.

Ren Jinguji: Come on. You even forgot your own birthday? Are you, by chance, working too hard again?

Haruka Nanami: But I won't forget your birthday… It's February 14th, Valentine's Day.

Ren Jinguji: Correct. As a result, I mostly get chocolate for my birthday. That's not too bad, but I would have preferred it to fall on a different day.

Haruka Nanami: In that case, I'll make something that isn't chocolate. Is there anything you want?

Ren Jinguji: That's an easy one. What I want is you, Haruka.

He takes my hand and kisses it.

Haruka Nanami: M-me? B-but wasn't I already yours…?

Haruka Nanami: I mean… Since I'm technically your… girlfriend…

Aaah, I'm blushing.

Since we started working together, Jinguji-san has been shining brighter and brighter. Is it really okay for someone like me to call herself his girlfriend?

From time to time, I get insecure about it. 

Ren Jinguji: Yes, you are my girlfriend… for now.

For now... Yes, he's right. The day may come when I'm not his girlfriend anymore.

Since Jinguji-san is so wonderful, I have these wistful thoughts occasionally.

I still want to stay as his partner. Even if this might sound greedy.

At least, let me give him my music.

Ren Jinguji: Why are you making such a sad face? Come on, lift your face, Princess. My future wife is not supposed to look so sad.

Haruka Nanami: What…?

Ren Jinguji: Ah, I guess I'm taking things a bit too far for now. But... one day... I'd like to live with you.

Ren Jinguji: I can't imagine a life without love or a future without you. I'll definitely make you happy, so please entrust your life to me...

Haruka Nanami: …Okay.

Ren Jinguji: Thank you, I love you, Lady!

Jinguji-san smiles happily and kisses me on my lips.

Ren Jinguji: The ballroom belongs to us tonight. Let's have fun and dance the night away.

Haruka Nanami: Yes…

And then we go hand in hand and dance to our hearts' content.

Sometimes we caress each other, whisper to each other, or hold each other close.

To spend a time like this together, alone, is the greatest treasure.

And the best birthday present of all.

Fin

[rabbiteclair]

i showed a QA how to spoof a JWT with the correct claims to access our systems if we failed to validate the signature somewhere, and then had to spend the next ten minutes convincing him that it was safe to put this in the test case and he wouldn't be arrested for documenting these elite hacking techniques

[orfartina]

Summary of Art 2023

2023 - it's a story of how I jumped into the real world.

Most of my life, I enjoyed being alone with my art. But this year was like a wake-up call. It all began when I kept working as a barista, thinking about how I drifted away from my artistic path.

People, coffee, new tasks, and uncertainties...

This year introduced me to more people than ever before, pulling me out of my artistic bubble and closer to real life. Being alone in my creative world made me think I had control over everything. Stepping out, I faced a new reality. Working at the cash register didn't feel right, and getting let go signaled it was time for a change. I realized I'm a creator, not just a seller, and decided to stick to what feels right. Despite challenges, I don't blame myself. This year brought lots of self-reflection, and I learned to accept who I am.

Dealing with the job market for artists was tough. Despite looking for jobs all the time, I felt lost and stuck in a job I didn't like. Moving and losing a job was stressful, but I got through it!

Finally, I found a job as a QA tester, even though it's not connected to art. Now, I live with my loved one and have a steady job. Though stress is still there, it's less. Regarding creativity, I'm happy that I emerged from a crisis.

The answer was in acceptance: accepted that I can't draw as much as before, accepted my strengths and weaknesses. I'm proud that I could create and find new techniques in any circumstances. Life throws challenges, and I don't think 2024 will be easy.But I hope to handle whatever comes. I wish myself and everyone else to embrace life's changes and find support in ourselves and our loved ones.

Happy New Year, dear friends! ❤️

[datageeksociety]

Transfer Learning in NLP: Impact of BERT, GPT-3, and T5 on NLP Tasks

Transfer learning has revolutionized the field of Natural Language Processing (NLP) by allowing models to leverage pre-trained knowledge on large datasets for various downstream tasks. Among the most impactful models in this domain are BERT, GPT-3, and T5. Let's explore these models and their significance in NLP.

1. BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers)

Overview:

Developed by Google, BERT was introduced in 2018 and marked a significant leap in NLP by using bidirectional training of Transformer models.

Unlike previous models that processed text in a unidirectional manner, BERT looks at both left and right context in all layers, providing a deeper understanding of the language.

Key Features:

Bidirectional Contextual Understanding: BERT’s bidirectional approach allows it to understand the context of a word based on both preceding and following words.

Pre-training Tasks: BERT uses two pre-training tasks – Masked Language Modeling (MLM) and Next Sentence Prediction (NSP). MLM involves predicting masked words in a sentence, while NSP involves predicting if two sentences follow each other in the text.

Impact on NLP Tasks:

Text Classification: BERT's contextual understanding improves the performance of text classification tasks like sentiment analysis and spam detection.

Named Entity Recognition (NER): BERT enhances NER tasks by accurately identifying entities in the text due to its deep understanding of the context.

Question Answering: BERT has set new benchmarks in QA tasks, as it can effectively comprehend and answer questions based on given contexts.

2. GPT-3 (Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3)

Overview:

Developed by OpenAI, GPT-3 is one of the largest language models ever created, with 175 billion parameters.

It follows a unidirectional (left-to-right) autoregressive approach, generating text based on the preceding words.

Key Features:

Scale and Size: GPT-3’s massive size allows it to generate highly coherent and contextually relevant text, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

Few-Shot Learning: GPT-3 can perform tasks with minimal examples, reducing the need for large labeled datasets for fine-tuning.

Impact on NLP Tasks:

Text Generation: GPT-3 excels at generating human-like text, making it useful for creative writing, chatbots, and content creation.

Translation: While not specifically trained for translation, GPT-3 can perform reasonably well in translating text between languages due to its extensive pre-training.

Code Generation: GPT-3 can generate code snippets and assist in programming tasks, demonstrating its versatility beyond traditional NLP tasks.

3. T5 (Text-to-Text Transfer Transformer)

Overview:

Developed by Google, T5 frames all NLP tasks as a text-to-text problem, where both input and output are text strings.

This unified approach allows T5 to handle a wide variety of tasks with a single model architecture.

Key Features:

Text-to-Text Framework: By converting tasks like translation, summarization, and question answering into a text-to-text format, T5 simplifies the process of applying the model to different tasks.

Pre-training on Diverse Datasets: T5 is pre-trained on the C4 dataset (Colossal Clean Crawled Corpus), which provides a rich and diverse training set.

Impact on NLP Tasks:

Summarization: T5 achieves state-of-the-art results in text summarization by effectively condensing long documents into concise summaries.

Translation: T5 performs competitively in translation tasks by leveraging its text-to-text framework to handle multiple language pairs.

Question Answering and More: T5's versatility allows it to excel in various tasks, including QA, sentiment analysis, and more, by simply changing the text inputs and outputs.

Conclusion

BERT, GPT-3, and T5 have significantly advanced the field of NLP through their innovative architectures and pre-training techniques. These models have set new benchmarks across various NLP tasks, demonstrating the power and versatility of transfer learning. By leveraging large-scale pre-training, they enable efficient fine-tuning on specific tasks, reducing the need for extensive labeled datasets and accelerating the development of NLP applications.

These models have not only improved the performance of existing tasks but have also opened up new possibilities in areas like creative text generation, few-shot learning, and unified task frameworks, paving the way for future advancements in NLP.

[erwinw]

What is High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is a sophisticated analytical method used to separate, identify, and quantify components within a mixture. This technique is pivotal in fields such as pharmaceuticals, environmental testing, and food safety. Introduction to HPLC HPLC is a core technique in analytical chemistry, often utilized for quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) in…

[guiltycorp]

Do you think there's a chance of Suguru Geto regaining control of his body?

Oh personally I think yes (but unlikely)!

This has been discussed in the fandom a lot, main argument against it is the QA author answer to 'how much of Geto is left inside' which was that basically none, his movements being like a dragonfly's spasming after its neck gets broken. And main argument for it is what Kenjaku said to Mahito right after their arm moved on its own -

This was more about their ongoing philosophical debate with Mahito over the true essence of one's soul and whether it's a separate entity or not, but like still, if Geto's soul and body are one and Kenjaku is suppressing the soul with their own then why wouldn't Geto be able to break through that technique somehow, especially if there's outside help. But more than that I just think that jjk's lore is inconsistent enough that basically anything can happen. I do think there's less of a chance of that if Gojo dies without coming back in any way, especially since Gojo had that hallucination/purgatorial plane reunion with him, but well that's not 100% certain for now either... I think with Gojo, Nanako and Mimiko dead it wouldn't make much narrative sense for Geto to return since he doesn't really have close ties to anyone else and he hadn't changed his genocidal views before dying either, buuut it could still be possible as a sort of last blow to Kenjaku whenever it's their time to be the final boss. I do think that Geto's personal character arc isn't completely over as long as there's a question of what form the sorcerer society will take in the future, but it doesn't really have to involve him at all ether. Also to be honest I think Gege's answer in the fanbook is pretty cut and dry and I fully believe that Geto is one of those characters he planned ahead and thought about the most, so I doubt he'd change his mind about it. I'd love to be wrong though! At least there's always hope for more flaaashbacks hehe.

[mercyjuliet1512]

Path to Selenium Mastery: Your Comprehensive Guide to Automated Testing

In today's dynamic digital landscape, ensuring the quality and reliability of web applications is paramount. Enter Selenium, the premier automation testing framework that has transformed the way web applications are tested. Whether you're a seasoned QA engineer or a budding tester aiming to elevate your skills, mastering Selenium unlocks a myriad of opportunities in automated testing.

This comprehensive guide is your roadmap to mastering Selenium and advancing your testing expertise.

Foundations of Selenium Mastery

Embarking on your Selenium journey requires a strong understanding of its fundamentals and automated testing principles. Start by familiarizing yourself with the core concepts of Selenium, including the Selenium WebDriver and its architecture, and how it interacts with web browsers to automate testing tasks. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for your Selenium proficiency.

Selecting Learning Resources

Choose reliable and comprehensive learning resources to support your Selenium learning journey. With a multitude of online tutorials, courses, and documentation available, platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Pluralsight offer tailored courses catering to various skill levels. Find resources that resonate with your learning style and preferences to maximize your learning experience.

Hands-on Learning Experience

Practice is paramount when it comes to mastering Selenium. Dive into hands-on practice by setting up your development environment, downloading the Selenium WebDriver, and crafting test scripts in your preferred programming language, whether it's Java, Python, or JavaScript. Through practical exercises, you'll deepen your understanding of Selenium's capabilities and functionalities.

Building Practical Projects

Apply your newfound knowledge by undertaking small-scale Selenium projects. Start with simple tasks like automating form submissions or navigating web pages, gradually progressing to more complex scenarios. Building projects not only reinforces your Selenium skills but also enhances your problem-solving abilities and boosts your confidence as a tester.

Exploring Advanced Techniques

Advance your Selenium expertise by delving into advanced topics and techniques. Learn how to handle dynamic elements, work with frames and iframes, implement synchronization strategies, and integrate Selenium with popular testing frameworks like TestNG or JUnit. Mastering these advanced concepts equips you to tackle real-world testing challenges with ease.

Community Engagement

Joining Selenium-centric online communities and forums provides invaluable support and insights. Platforms like the Selenium WebDriver Google Group or the Selenium subreddit offer opportunities to connect with peers, seek advice, and share experiences. Engaging with the community fosters collaboration and accelerates your learning journey.

Enrolling in Online Courses

Enroll in online courses offered by reputable platforms to gain structured learning paths and expert guidance. Courses on platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or Pluralsight offer hands-on exercises, real-world examples, and practical insights from industry professionals. Continuous learning through online courses ensures you stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in automated testing.

Practical Application

Apply your Selenium skills to real-world testing scenarios by contributing to open-source projects or collaborating with local businesses. This practical experience not only enhances your skills but also strengthens your resume, making you a competitive candidate in the job market. Real-world application solidifies your understanding and prepares you for future challenges.

Staying Informed

The field of automated testing is ever-evolving, with new tools and techniques emerging regularly. Stay informed by following industry blogs, attending webinars, and participating in online conferences. Keeping abreast of the latest developments ensures you remain at the forefront of the industry and positions you as a trusted expert in Selenium testing.

Continual Growth

Remember, learning Selenium is a journey, not a destination. Challenge yourself to explore new features, experiment with different approaches, and expand your knowledge base. Mastery requires dedication and persistence, so embrace opportunities for growth and development along the way.

In conclusion, mastering Selenium is an enriching journey that requires commitment, practice, and continuous learning. By following this comprehensive guide and embracing hands-on practice, community engagement, and ongoing education, you'll navigate the path to Selenium mastery and unlock endless possibilities in automated testing. So, dive in, embark on your Selenium journey, and embark on a rewarding career in software testing. Happy testing!

[yuesya]

Shiki kinda reminds me of acheron from honkai star rail, did you draw any inspiration from her, or just a coincidence

... My friend, zenith of stars was written and posted before Honkai Star Rail was even released. xD

[ebslon]

A Comprehensive Guide for Job Portal App Development Company In India

Introduction to Job Portal App Development

Job portal apps have become integral in connecting job seekers with potential employers. Their significance has grown exponentially due to the ease and convenience they offer in job searches. With the proliferation of mobile technology, job portal app development has witnessed a surge in demand.

Understanding the Essentials of Job Portal App Development

Developing a successful job portal app necessitates incorporating crucial features and functionalities. The user interface and experience play a pivotal role in engaging both job seekers and recruiters. A seamless and intuitive design enhances the overall user satisfaction.

Technological Aspects in Job Portal App Development

Behind the scenes, job portal development rely on robust backend technologies and frontend frameworks. Choose Ebslon Infotech technology stack is crucial for scalability, performance, and future enhancements.

Security Measures in Job Portal App Development

Ensuring data protection and user privacy is paramount in job search portal app development. Implementing stringent security measures safeguards sensitive information and builds trust among users.

Monetization Strategies for Job Portal Apps

Monetizing a job portal app can be achieved through subscription models or generating revenue from advertisements. Balancing profitability with user experience is key.

Challenges and Solutions in Job Portal App Development

Competitor analysis and overcoming technical challenges are essential aspects. Analyzing competitors helps in understanding market gaps, while addressing technical hurdles ensures a smooth user experience.

Optimizing Job Portal Apps for SEO

Employing effective SEO strategies like keyword optimization and ensuring mobile responsiveness enhances the app’s visibility and accessibility.

Testing and Quality Assurance in Job Portal App Development

Rigorous testing and QA methodologies guarantee a bug-free and reliable job portal development India, ultimately boosting user confidence.

Launching and Marketing Your Job Portal App

Strategizing pre-launch activities and employing post-launch marketing techniques are vital for app visibility and user acquisition.

User Feedback and Continuous Improvement

Constantly gathering user feedback and implementing improvements based on their suggestions ensures a dynamic and user-centric app.

Scaling and Future Trends in Job Portal App Development

Considerations for scalability and insights into emerging trends prepare job portal development for future growth and advancements in technology.

Conclusion

Developing a job portal app involves a comprehensive approach, combining technological prowess with user-centric design and robust marketing strategies. As the job market evolves, continuous improvements and adaptability are key to staying competitive.

[yethiconsulting]

Benefits of No-Code Automation Testing for Faster, Efficient QA

Introduction to No-Code Automation in QA

Begin by explaining the rise of no-code automation tools, which allow quality assurance teams to create and run automated tests without programming. Highlight how this shift accelerates the testing process and enables non-technical team members to contribute to QA efforts.

Key Benefits of No-Code Automation for QA

Faster Test Creation:

Describe how no code test automation tools, with drag-and-drop functionality and pre-built templates, speed up the creation of test cases, reducing setup time and enabling rapid adaptation to changes.

Reduced Test Maintenance:

Many no-code tools offer self-healing features that adjust tests in response to minor changes in the application, decreasing maintenance time and improving test reliability.

Enhanced Collaboration Across Teams:

With no-code platforms, non-technical stakeholders like product managers and business analysts can actively participate in testing, resulting in a more collaborative QA process.

Lower Entry Barriers and Costs:

Explain how teams without extensive coding expertise can utilize no-code testing, cutting down training costs and making testing accessible to a wider group.

Conclusion

Summarize by underscoring how no-code automation accelerates testing cycles, enhances efficiency, and promotes inclusivity, ultimately enabling QA teams to achieve faster, more reliable results.

[amaryllis-sagitta]

In retrospective, the shift whose culmination we see today seems to be about making hardware more uniform and the system infrastructure less opaque to anyone who isn't a developer.

Looking back as a millennial, I feel like the Gen-X are the most literate computer-wise because they dealt with all the weird pre-Windows systems and physical LAN party setups before the Internet at homes became fast enough to hold online gaming. Still, it's strange to read posts like this as a Millennial who was taught to use a PC in primary school because it was a new thing for the entire generation, and then I had to pass this knowledge on to teach my own parents to send an email and not to panic whenever "my window disappeared".

What I see in my boomer parents is a sort of a mental blockade from engaging with a typical window-based UI, like every time you could literally read something on the menu and click accordingly to perform an unknown activity, my mum has a little meltdown and wants to be taught the activity step by step so she can perform it by muscle memory. The greatest peril of my mum's boomer PC experience is that she doesn't watch what's going on on her screen outside the application in focus, she is not used to interactivity on a basic level, a robust system UI is too much for her because you need to learn to "dwell" in a structure of a certain complexity, you need to get used to the thought that a PC has a massive hidden side among all the nested folders, settings and policies. I think my dad has less problems with using a PC because he had vocational technical education before, he understands mechanical schematics and electrical installation charts and abstract structures of that sort. A classic menu is a little like this.

As a kid, I was taught basics of the structure of a pre-XP Windows system. I was taught a common technique to type using as many fingers as possible, without looking at the keyboard as you do it. I was taught how to use the Office suite, how to build a simple website using the ugliest incarnation of HTML, and how to push it to the teacher's host using a FTP manager. I was even taught basics of programming in one of the code-free visual gamified editors made solely for teaching purposes. All of it to familiarize us with a certain innate logic of software that was norm at the time.

Even as an IT worker nowadays, accessing most things I need on mobile devices as a QA tester is locked behind a hidden procedure of enabling Developer tools, and even then, if you look at the folder structure on the device when accessing it from your PC, the said structure is more code-like and obviously not meant for any end user. Or, I need to use workarounds through third party applications like iTunes to even access some stuff in the first place. iOS is a true nightmare when it comes to trying access the things Apple does not want an average end user to access.

What mostly changed since my childhood is that hardware is becoming uniform to the point building your own PC and setting it up to work is easy and foolproof, and Windows is trying to be quicker in providing some template behaviors and more "transparent" in its inner workings. The mobile device design simplified user experience to the levels of "Go to store, download app, tap and swipe, the system takes care of everything else". At the same time, the systems are more intrusive, and they heavily discourage messing around and finding out. Everything is meant to be done from the status bar, or a popup that appears right at your main screen.

Teaching my parents smartphones was a different experience insofar as notifications and popups from Android keep appearing without their consent, so to speak. They feel like they have no agency over their own phone, all they want is to make a call, the entire device with its apps and ads and intrusive messages is the enemy, and "they don't want IT" (where "IT" is an SMS from the provider, a system update notification, a push notification, information about used data, there's too many icons again, there's too much everything, yada yada). Once they learned the basics of using a laptop to click things on an Internet browser, phones started to be the opposite thing.

So this was originally a response to this post:

****

****

Which is about people wanting an AO3 app, but then it became large and way off topic, so here you go.

Nobody under the age of 20 knows how to use a computer or the internet. At all. They only know how to use apps. Their whole lives are in their phones or *maybe* a tablet/iPad if they're an artist. This is becoming a huge concern.

I'm a private tutor for middle- and high-school students, and since 2020 my business has been 100% virtual. Either the student's on a tablet, which comes with its own series of problems for screen-sharing and file access, or they're on mom's or dad's computer, and they have zero understanding of it.

They also don't know what the internet is, or even the absolute basics of how it works. You might not think that's an important thing to know, but stick with me.

Last week I accepted a new student. The first session is always about the tech -- I tell them this in advance, that they'll have to set up a few things, but once we're set up, we'll be good to go. They all say the same thing -- it won't be a problem because they're so "online" that they get technology easily.

I never laugh in their faces, but it's always a close thing. Because they are expecting an app. They are not expecting to be shown how little they actually know about tech.

I must say up front: this story is not an outlier. This is *every* student during their first session with me. Every single one. I go through this with each of them because most of them learn more, and more solidly, via discussion and discovery rather than direct instruction.

Once she logged in, I asked her to click on the icon for screen-sharing. I described the icon, then started with "Okay, move your mouse to the bottom right corner of the screen." She did the thing that those of us who are old enough to remember the beginnings of widespread home computers remember - picked up the mouse and moved it and then put it down. I explained she had to pull the mouse along the surface, and then click on the icon. She found this cumbersome. I asked if she was on a laptop or desktop computer. She didn't know what I meant. I asked if the computer screen was connected to the keyboard as one piece of machinery that you can open and close, or if there was a monitor - like a TV - and the keyboard was connected to another machine either by cord or by Bluetooth. Once we figured it out was a laptop, I asked her if she could use the touchpad, because it's similar (though not equivalent) to a phone screen in terms of touching clicking and dragging.

Once we got her using the touchpad, we tried screen-sharing again. We got it working, to an extent, but she was having trouble with... lots of things. I asked if she could email me a download or a photo of her homework instead, and we could both have a copy, and talk through it rather than put it on the screen, and we'd worry about learning more tech another day. She said she tried, but her email blocked her from sending anything to me.

This is because the only email address she has is for school, and she never uses email for any other purpose. I asked if her mom or dad could email it to me. They weren't home.

(Re: school email that blocks any emails not whitelisted by the school: that's great for kids as are all parental controls for young ones, but 16-year-olds really should be getting used to using an email that belongs to them, not an institution.)

I asked if the homework was on a paper handout, or in a book, or on the computer. She said it was on the computer. Great! I asked her where it was saved. She didn't know. I asked her to search for the name of the file. She said she already did that and now it was on her screen. Then, she said to me: "You can just search for it yourself - it's Chapter 5, page 11."

This is because homework is on the school's website, in her math class's homework section, which is where she searched. For her, that was "searching the internet."

Her concepts of "on my computer" "on the internet" or "on my school's website" are all the same thing. If something is displayed on the monitor, it's "on the internet" and "on my phone/tablet/computer" and "on the school's website."

She doesn't understand "upload" or "download," because she does her homework on the school's website and hits a "submit" button when she's done. I asked her how she shares photos and stuff with friends; she said she posts to Snapchat or TikTok, or she AirDrops. (She said she sometimes uses Insta, though she said Insta is more "for old people"). So in her world, there's a button for "post" or "share," and that's how you put things on "the internet".

She doesn't know how it works. None of it. And she doesn't know how to use it, either.

Also, none of them can type. Not a one. They don't want to learn how, because "everything is on my phone."

And you know, maybe that's where we're headed. Maybe one day, everything will be on "my phone" and computers as we know them will be a thing of the past. But for the time being, they're not. Students need to learn how to use computers. They need to learn how to type. No one is telling them this, because people think teenagers are "digital natives." And to an extent, they are, but the definition of that has changed radically in the last 20-30 years. Today it means "everything is on my phone."

[shiningwonderland]

Ren Jinguji (Repeat)

Translator: Mimi (Twitter: _mimisaurora)

QA: Rei (Twitter: wolfe_raine)

September — Countdown to the Moon's Surface

It seems Jinguji-san likes the song I wrote, and has been putting in serious effort to practice it lately.

Haruka Nanami: The way you sang it this time was seriously the coolest.

Ren Jinguji: …I see. You like the way I did it this time…? Alright… then, let’s go at it again. I don’t want to forget this feeling…

Haruka Nanami: Got it!

Ren Jinguji: You are really…

Haruka Nanami: ???

Ren Jinguji: …Oh, it’s nothing. Anything else you’d like to share?

Haruka Nanami: Ah… Well…

Select the Phrase!

息の使い方を... About your breathing technique… (+20 Love, +5 Music)

Haruka Nanami: I think… that if you could find a way to better control your breath, it would help to add the subtle nuances to your singing that would improve how cool you sound…

Haruka Nanami: Let’s see, it should be good if you try to be mindful of your midsection. 

Ren Jinguji: My midsection…? Like here?

Jinguji-san pokes my belly.

Haruka Nanami: Ah.

I let out a noise in surprise.

Ren Jinguji: Hm? What’s wrong? Why did you make that noise?

Haruka Nanami: I-I’m ticklish.

Ren Jinguji: Hmm. You’re quite sensitive. Then, what about over here…?

Jinguji-san runs his finger along the nape of my neck.

It sends a chill down my spine.

Haruka Nanami: Ah!!

T-That tickles.

Ren Jinguji: This is fun. Let’s go in for a little more…

Jinguji-san’s eyes narrowed.

Haruka Nanami: P-Please stop! It tickles way too much!

Ren Jinguji: When you put it that way, it only makes me want to do it more, you know?

He lets out a gleeful laugh.

Haruka Nanami: Ugh.

Ren Jinguji: I’m joking. I only teased because you were so responsive. Are you really that ticklish?

Haruka Nanami: Yes… It’s pretty bad. I was so ticklish when I was little that the hairdresser would complain that she couldn't trim my hair…

When I said that, Jinguji-san laughed at me again.

Ren Jinguji: You are fascinating, lady. I never get tired of being with you. Truly charming.

Then one day.

Hyuga-sensei instructed the entire class to draw lots during homeroom.

Ryuya Hyuga: Alright. Everyone’s drawn one.

Syo Kurusu: Yeah, we drew, but what for? What is this lottery deciding?

Ryuya Hyuga: Right, well…

Hyuga-sensei is about to explain when a loud bang was heard.

The school principal bursts through the floorboards into the classroom.

Shining Saotome: I will answer! It’s been decided! S Class Only! Overcome the Saotome Academy Principal! A championship where the one who defeats him will debut immediately!

Shining Saotome: This is what the lottery is for! Dodonpa!

Silence.

Everybody in class fell quiet, clueless as to what he was talking about.

The silence was broken by—

Tokiya Ichinose: …What a joke.

Ichinose-san mutters under his breath, rips up his ticket, and throws it away.

Shining Saotome: Woah! What are you doing all of a sudden!!

Tokiya Ichinose: Nothing, I don’t agree on making my debut like this.

Tokiya Ichinose: I want to follow the proper order and achieve my debut by winning the graduation audition. I just wanted to make that clear.

The principal sulks a bit and lets out a groan at that.

Shining Saotome: You’re very stubborn, Mr. Ichinose! Then you can sit on your hands and watch as your classmate debuts first!

Tokiya Ichinose: Please, be my guest.

Shining Saotome: Grr… In any case, I am pleased to announce the results. Congratulations to the winners... Lottery number 5... Ren Jinguji.

Ren Jinguji: That’s odd. I didn’t say anything. How did you know I had lottery ticket number 5?

Shining Saotome: Hahaha. I am all knowing! Now, let us be off!

Ren Jinguji: The fact you knew everything leads me to believe this was set up from the very beginning... But, well, it would be silly to complain about every single thing you do…

Jinguji-san shrugs his shoulders, smiling softly.

Shining Saotome: And YOU will be coming too~.

Select the Phrase!

はい, お供します。 Alright, I’ll come with. (+20 Love, +0 Music)

Ren Jinguji: This is a mission straight from the boss. To be honest, I don't know what he's got up his sleeve. You're still willing to stick with me?

Haruka Nanami: Of course, we’re partners.

Ren Jinguji: Well, then, I won't stop you anymore. The only thing I ask is that you leave as soon as you see it's dangerous. Okay?

Jinguji-san places his hand on my cheek and stares straight at me.

He must be worried about me.  Ahhh. He's so kind!  I'll do my best to not be a burden!

Haruka Nanami: Okay!

When we head for the back garden, we find Hijirikawa-sama already there for some reason.

This is kind of similar to what happened in June...

I have a bad feeling about this. I hope it's for nothing...

Masato Hijirikawa: Tsukimiya-sensei instructed me to come here… but… for what?

Shining Saotome: Hahaha. For this!

The principal suddenly grabs both Jinguji-san's and Hijirikawa-sama's arm before shackling their hand to a chain.

The length of the chains were about a meter, which means they didn't have to stick so closely to each other, but it’s still a little cramped.

Ren Jinguji: What!! Boss, what is the meaning of this…

Masato Hijirikawa: What is this prank?

The principal ignores their questions. He then approaches me and picks me up.

Haruka Nanami: Huh? A-Ah! W-What are you…!

Ren Jinguji: Wait, Boss, what are you doing with her!

Jinguji-san panics, rushing to reach out for me, but just short of making it, the chain pulls him back and away from me.

Then, the principal proceeds to strap me to a rocket marked with the phrase, "to the moon".

Haruka Nanami: Uh…

W-what should I do?

Select the Phrase!

レンに助けを求める。 Ask Ren for help (+20 Love, +0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: A-Ah, Jinguji-san. What… What’s going to happen to me…?

I'm not sure I could survive on the moon.

Ren Jinguji: Nothing. I promise I will save you. I don't want to lose my partner over something like this. This is such a terrible thing for the Boss to do.

Haruka Nanami: T-Thank you. I’m so sorry… for being so clumsy. I must give you a lot of trouble…

Ren Jinguji: Forget about all that. This is not your fault. Besides, I’m also stuck. I’m in no position to talk about others.

Shining Saotome: World peace is possible if you two work together. Love is the key to saving planet earth. Friendship leads to the eradication of war!

Ren Jinguji: Hah…? What are you going on about? Y-You… You don't expect me to be friends with this guy, do you?

The principal's abrupt and mysterious remarks cause Jinguji-san's eyes to widen.

Masato Hijirikawa: It is fair to say that if the Hijirikawa and Jinguji conglomerates were to partner together, the general idea is possible.

Haruka Nanami: But that it could achieve world peace… Of course he’d say something like that. The ask is too big.

Shining Saotome: By the way, the rocket will launch in 3 hours.

Shining Saotome: If you don’t want to lose your dearest and most precious partner, you have to do your very best! Since she’s so important to you!

Haruka Nanami: What!!

T-Three hours until launch… If this continues, I will undoubtedly be assured a one-way ticket to heaven.

Oh, God! I still have things I need to do.

I want to live a little longer... At the very least, let me survive until the graduation audition.

Hijirikawa-sama's face grows tense, and Jinguji-san glances at me.

Ren Jinguji: So you're saying that at this rate, in three hours, we'll have to say goodbye to the lady for good.

He clenches his fists tightly and murmurs to himself with an expression uncharacteristically serious.

Shining Saotome: The only ways to stop this rocket is to defeat me or to press those switches here and there at the same time.

Shining Saotome: The system operates on a fingerprint authentication system, so it will not respond if someone else presses the button. Be sure you both do it!

Ren Jinguji: Both of those switches… We can't just do it normally, regardless of how hard we try. Well, I’m at a loss.

The two switches the principal pointed out were each further than 2 meters away from the rocket I was strapped to.

It would be impossible for the two of them to press the switches at the same time while handcuffed together.

Haruka Nanami: U-Um…

Select the Phrase!

わたしなら大丈夫です。 I’ll be okay. (+10 Love, +0 Music)

Ren Jinguji: Okay…? Do you plan to go to the moon without any equipment and come back in one piece?

Masato Hijirikawa: In your condition, you'll be dead before you even leave the stratosphere, let alone before you reach the moon.

Haruka Nanami: But I can't let something like this be a problem for the both of you... I’m sure that I… that I can manage on my own…

I know I can’t manage it on my own. I really want to be rescued.

But I couldn’t bring myself to say the words out loud.

I didn't have the confidence in myself to be able to ask for "help" in such a near-impossible situation.

Ren Jinguji: If that’s true… then why are you trembling like that? You can act tough all you want, but your shaking and blue face give away how clearly frightened you are.

Ren Jinguji: Hey, lady. You know there's no need to put up a front in a crisis like this.

Jinguji-san smiles faintly, a troubled look on his face.  He then looks me in the eye, grins fearlessly, and points at me.

Ren Jinguji: You are now like Andromeda, awaiting Perseus' aid. A hero never abandons the princess. Engrave this gallant figure into your memory.

J-Jinguji-san…. T-Thank you…

It was then that—

Jii: Young Master~~~!!! I’m finally here to save you~~!

The ground trembled. 

And with a cloud of dust in the air, Hijirikawa-sama’s butler, Jii-san, rushes to the scene looking frantic.

George: It looks like you’re in trouble.

Then, a little later, George-san arrives with graceful strides.

Masato Hijirikawa: Jii…? Actually…

Hijirikawa-sama explains the situation in detail to the two of them.

Jii: I see, leaving the young girl aside, I cannot allow for the Jinguji child and you to remain bound together!

George: I could say the same thing. It’s a terrible pity that my young master has to be stuck to the Hijirikawa boy like this.

Jii: What was that!?

George: Shall I kill him?

Jii-san and George-san almost had their foreheads pressed against each other, glaring intently. 

Jii: Mmm. Behold the power of the Hijirikawa conglomerate!

George: Hmph. The Jinguji way is 100 times better. Allow me to show you…

Masato Hijirikawa: Jii…

Ren Jinguji: Hey, George… Ha… There he goes…

They both manage to sigh at the same time.

Jii-san and George-san return a few minutes later.

Between the two of them, they carry shears, a drill and a saw.

George: When it comes to a good cut, this Jinguji-made tree pruner is the only way to go. There is nothing a high-performance diamond cutting blade can't handle.

Jii: Not so fast there! That’s for young boys! Men use drills!!

Jii: This Hijirikawa model super-electromagnetic drill is capable of shattering even rocks!

George: Absurd, these clippers are superior!

Jii: No, no, this drill is truly remarkable!

George: Clippers!

Jii: I said it's the drill!

George: Grrr.

Jii: Grrr.

George: Clippers!

Jii: Drill!

George: Clippers!

Jii: Drill!

They both continue to glare at each other.

Ren Jinguji: I don't care which one you prefer, but can you make it quick?

George: Alright then…

George takes the tree pruner to clip off the chains… but…

George: What! Dear goodness… this is… Was it able to put a chip in it?

The chains did not chip the slightest bit, but it was rather the blade of the tree pruner that did! 

Jii: Hehehe. Fool! I knew we should have used the drill all along…

Jii: The destructive power of this product is 3 times stronger than our previous model, and that's not just for show! Now, let this baby whirl!

Jii-san turns the drill on and applies it to the chains.

However…

Jii: What is this! Is this drill really doing nothing! I can't believe the drill lost!

Both George-san and Jii-san fall to the ground on their knees in disappointment.

George: There is… There is still a way.

Jii: That’s right… This still isn’t over.

The two continue to try various tools, like a universal saw, a chainsaw, a light saber, a legendary demon sword, and many others…

They use all kinds of blades, but nothing worked.

George: …! This can’t be. The Jinguji family's scientific technology shouldn't have been defeated…

Jii: Curses! There are no other options… I’ve failed!

Ren Jinguji: I guess this means we're gonna have to… take down the boss.

Jinguji-san sees the condition Jii-san and George-san are in and murmurs to himself, "Oh dear..."

Haruka Nanami: Fight the principal? You can’t do that.

Ren Jinguji: It's the only way, right? We don't have time to pick and choose.

He licks his lips.

Masato Hijirikawa: Are you out of your mind? Do you even have any ideas?

Ren Jinguji: No, not at all. Then again, there are times when things just have to be done.

Saying this, Jinguji-san chuckles.

Masato Hijirikawa: You… truly haven't changed a bit since you were a child. Even back then, you would charge ahead with no plan and get yourself into terrible trouble.

Haruka Nanami: Back then…? 

Masato Hijirikawa: I remember once when we were kids, we both snuck out of a party hall and headed to a nearby beach.

The two of them? At a party hall…

Ah, that’s right, they were childhood friends. If I’m remembering correctly…

Ren Jinguji: Yeah, you’re talking about the one where we were swept out to sea in a boat. So what about it, I mean, we got out of it in the end.

They were swept out to sea in a boat!? T-That must have been scary…

Masato Hijirikawa: It wasn’t fine! I thought we were going to die.

Ren Jinguji: But it was you who wanted to go see the ocean. Considering how close it was.

Masato Hijirikawa: While that may be true… it was your idea to get on the boat.

It looks like things are taking a turn for the worse. The quarrel between the two of them starts to heat up a little bit.

Ren Jinguji: We were already out of an otherwise dull venue. It would have been a waste if we didn’t at the very least enjoy our night. Was I so wrong to think that?

Masato Hijirikawa: What I’m saying is that you should keep others out of your asinine plans.

Hijirikawa-sama raised his voice.

Ren Jinguji: It’s not like I meant to drag you along. I asked if you were coming, and you followed.

Jinguji-san smiles coldly.

Ren Jinguji: Well, it was a miracle that we made it out of such a hopeless situation alive with no food, no water, and our boat washed away.

Masato Hijirikawa: All it took was a fishing boat that happened to pass by. One wrong move and we really would have been dead.

Ren Jinguji: And yet, we're still here. It's our destiny, don't you think? We are meant to be alive.

Ren Jinguji: That continues to be true even now.  We can't lose in a game like this. Don't you agree?

His smile turns into a grin.

Masato Hijirikawa:  Surely, we could just be done with this if we were to give up now. But if we don’t… I see.

Ren Jinguji: Good, so, now this is where we go after the boss. And in order to do that, we’ll have to partner up. Think you can handle it?

Masato Hijirikawa: Who do you think you’re talking to? I know all of your quirks. Don't worry.

They had been fighting just a moment ago, but now Hijirikawa-sama wears a smile brimming with confidence.

Could it be that the two of them share a mutual understanding somewhere in their hearts?

I had a feeling this was the case.

It would make sense. They may not be close now, but they were childhood friends.

I'm sure their hearts are still connected.  It's a nice thought, isn't it?

Ren Jinguji: OK! I still can’t stand you, but let’s set that aside for now! My only enemy right now is the boss.

Jinguji-san goes to strike the principle. However…

Woosh.

The president easily dodges his fist with a light step.

Ren Jinguji: I see… If power alone won’t win us the fight… then…

Jinguji-san uses his link to Hijirikawa-sama to his advantage, making clever use of the chains on the handcuffs to drive the principal into a corner.

Masato Hijirikawa: Oho, so that’s how it is. Well then…

Without Jinguji-san needing to say anything, Hijirikawa-sama reads his next moves, and relocates himself into the best position.

Likewise, Jinguji-san observes Hijirikawa-sama's actions and steps accordingly.

The two of them were in perfect sync, approaching the principal with such quick footwork that it’s hard to believe they were bound together by handcuffs.

At times, Jinguji-san and Hijirikawa-sama both simultaneously threw their fists.

A coordinated double kick has the principal at their mercy.

Shining Saotome: Heh. Not bad, not bad. However… it won’t work!

They made good use of the rigid parts of the handcuffs and chains, and had their opponent been a normal person, they surely would have had an overwhelming victory.

It was easy to think so, their teamwork is brilliant.

But none of them managed to deliver a fatal blow to the principal.

Shining Saotome: Hahaha. We’re not done yet!

The principal remains almost completely unharmed.

In comparison, Jinguji-san and Hijirikawa-sama were both breathing hard, and at times received blows from the president himself.

Shining Saotome: Take thisss. Shining Kick!

A kick…

Shining Saotome: Come on!! Saotome Punch!

Ren Jinguji: Agh…

They were already wrecked after taking the principal's fist.

Masato Hijirikawa: Guh… He’s on a completely different level. He is beyond the capabilities of mankind. No human could stand against him…

Ren Jinguji: No kidding. I don’t need you… to tell me that. But…

A glance. I feel as… Jinguji-san looks at my face for a second.

Ren Jinguji: Every man has to face whatever challenge he's presented with head-on, regardless of how difficult it may be. Don't you agree? For me, that time is now.

Shining Saotome: Five minutes left until launch!

Haruka Nanami: F-Five minutes left…

Where did the time go? The moon…

I looked up at the sky and gulped.

The rocket will ignite and fly rapidly through the air.  I'm sure when that happens, the force of gravity will knock me out...

But if I remain conscious... The air will gradually become thinner and thinner. When subjected to the piercing cold of the sky above, a vacuum will eventually form, and my blood will boil...

Just imagining it is terrifying!

Ren Jinguji: Lady…

Jinguji-san bit his lip and let out a deep breath.

Ren Jinguji: …Is this… the end? Hijirikawa! Cut off my arm!

Masato Hijirikawa: What!?

Haruka Nanami: Huh!?

Shining Saotome: Ha!? You’re own arm…?

Jinguji-san, why would you take it this far?

Ren Jinguji: If I cut off my arm, the handcuffs are useless. We’ll be able to flip the switches at the same time. Am I wrong?

Masato Hijirikawa: And you will be one arm short as a result… Don’t be so ridiculous. 

Ren Jinguji: You’re right. But if this is the only way to do it, then so be it.

He talks about it like it’s the easiest thing in the world.

Haruka Nanami: Y-You absolutely mustn't! 

Ren Jinguji: This is something I want to do. Let me go through with it. Besides, isn’t it a price worth paying if I can save your life with just one arm?

Masato Hijirikawa: But you'll be cutting off your arm because you have no other choice…

Ren Jinguji: If you can't cut it for me, then I'll do it myself…

Masato Hijirikawa: No, why don't you just cut off my arm instead of yours? Aren't you the one who's always concerned about the way you look?

Ren Jinguji: Wouldn't it be a problem if you couldn't play the piano anymore? And isn't it the job of the upperclassmen to play it cool at a time like this?

Jinguji-san picks up a fallen machete off the ground and swings it down on his arm.

Haruka Nanami: D-DON’T!!!!

Shining Saotome: Stop!

The principal stops the machete with a single finger.

Haruka Nanami: Huh? Principal? 

The principal tosses the machete away with his fingers and stands in front of Jinguji-san and Hijirikawa-sama, his eyes going wide.

Shining Saotome: That is love!

Ren Jinguji: Huh?

Masato Hijirikawa: It’s… love?

Both of their eyes go wide too.

Shining Saotome: I found world peace at the sight of you both. Thank you… I have lost.

Shining Saotome: Through this crisis, the three of you have finally developed bonds with each other! A truly precious treasure!

Shining Saotome: Happy friends, happy life! AND fighting is a no-no!

Shining Saotome: I could feel your love, therefore, I will stop the timer.

With that, the principal removes the handcuffs, turns off the rocket's launch switch, and walks away.

Ren Jinguji: Hey, now. How could you make this such a big deal to begin with, and then end it like that? That was awfully simple…

Ren Jinguji: … Geez. It makes no sense whatsoever. He's still an indecipherable gentleman, but I suspect this was his own way to put an end to our fight. Well, who knows?

Masato Hijirikawa: Perhaps he was trying to mediate our quarrel. Hm, I am not sure how true that is though.

Ren Jinguji: I guess he may have seen through our convoluted rivalry and wanted to mess with us. Or, he could have just been trying to be funny.

Ren Jinguji: Whatever the case, one thing is clear. We are God's favorites. 

Haruka Nanami: God…?

Ren Jinguji: Yeah. The winds of miracles will blow before those who never give up. 

Staring straight ahead, Jinguji-san asserts in a bold tone.

Ren Jinguji: Even if you don't qualify to get through the door, you can always pry it open.

Masato Hijirikawa: Door? That reminds me, you once said something like that before... I believe it was during a conference between the two conglomerates.

Conference? I do recall Jinguji-san talking about that a while ago…

He hadn’t been allowed inside, but Hijirikawa-sama was present.

I remember how Jinguji-san was so upset by this that he began to make an enemy out of Hijirikawa-sama.

Masato Hijirikawa: Indeed, only heirs were allowed to enter that room, but… it's not a place you should be envious of.

Ren Jinguji: Whatever the case may be. It doesn't matter to me now. It's just like you told me back then.

Masato Hijirikawa: I agree. Now there is no disparity in our standings. We should put our best foot forward for the graduation audition despite our differences in musicality.

Ren Jinguji: Heh. I’m sure I'll be one of the victors.

Jinguji-san flashes Hijirikawa-sama a grin, who looks a bit annoyed.

Masato Hijirikawa: I'm not one to enjoy conflict, but... this is different. I swear, my music will prevail over yours.

Ren Jinguji: What a joke. Of course I will win. There wouldn’t have been any meaning in me putting my body on the line otherwise. Right, Lady?

Haruka Nanami: Huh?

He suddenly looks at me, and for a moment I had no idea what he was talking about.

Ren Jinguji: Are you playing around? You're writing my song, aren't you?

Haruka Nanami: I-I am!

C-Could it be that he'll put in more effort from now on? I’d be overjoyed if that is the case.

Even if it’s to beat out Hijirikawa-sama, if it gets him to face the music, then…

I will give my all to write him a song! One that is suitable and attractive.

Ren Jinguji: I risked my life to save you. Of course, you’ll make me the best music.

Select the Phrase!

絶対いい曲にします. I will definitely make this the best song. (+10 Love, +10 Music)

Ren Jinguji: Great. Then… let's get you started on writing it right now. A song worthy of even a God.

Haruka Nanami: Of course! I’ll do my best!

Ren Jinguji: Ok, Lady. That’s what I like to hear.

Jinguji-san reaches out his arms to untie me from the rope holding me to the rocket, lowering me down.

Haruka Nanami: I-I’m free…

The moment my feet hit the ground… That’s when it hits me that I have been rescued.

Haruka Nanami: Ah…

I was strapped on for so long that I couldn’t stand very well, and I stumble.

Ren Jinguji: I see your legs are still shaking. That must have been scary. You did a great job.

I couldn't keep myself upright, so Jinguji-san held me tight and patted me on the back.

Haruka Nanami: Ah… I’m sorry. Um… I… was scared…

Ren Jinguji: It’s alright. I'll hold you like this until you are comfortable. There's no need to try to stand up right away.

Haruka Nanami: Thank you.

I cling to Jinguji-san as I cry.

He continues to embrace me tenderly in his arms until I stop crying.

He risked his life to save me.

So, I too will do my best at the risk of my own life. For his sake, I will…

No matter what the cost, I will do it.

Mini Game

Ryuya Hyuga: All right, let's get started. How is it, getting used to your private lessons?

Ryuya Hyuga: Well, this is the final one for this assignment. It sounds like you're getting a better understanding of the song as you play it.

Ryuya Hyuga: Your arrangements are also improving. Keep up the good work when you write your own compositions!

Ryuya Hyuga: This will be a comprehensive test using the assigned song. I want you to use all the instincts you've developed up to this point, and play it nice and calm.

Ryuya Hyuga: Heh. Are you ready? 3, 2, 1, start!

S RANK

Ren Jinguji: It sounds like you're getting used to it. There is a sense of stability. I suppose it's the result of hard work. I hope you keep it up.

Haruka Nanami: Of course. I will. 

I want to debut together with you, so let's strive to do even better.

Chapter End