⸢エᵉラᶫᵃフᶠ⸥

Except corvids don’t only do this as a distraction. Sometimes they seem to just being doing it to mess with other animals/birbs. But to use my lunch room analogy, there are times you might thwap someone sneakily on the back of the neck just for amusement. Primates exhibit behavior that appears to be just be annoying other animals for amusement. Given how intelligent crows are, its not unlikely that this is a manifestation of an innate desire to just fuck with someone else for the fun of it. Such as this from the link above:

‘Where the hell is the seatbelt on this thing?’

I mean they deserve a medal for having such huge bird balls imo

In a future where still-functional relics of a high-tech war wander the streets of otherwise peaceful Japan, eager rookie Koga joins the SHWD, a grizzled group of office workers-meet-special forces. Under the tutelage of the grumpy but caring Sawada, Koga gets prepped for her first mission out on the field - but is she ready for the horrors that await?

Another new pickup, of sorts! This is by sono, the same author as the absolutely beautiful Your Warmth, and while this is a very different kind of story, it’s equally well told and with great, charming characters! also look at koga on the left here. bless the buffwife.

(Note that this is a doujinshi series, and not an actual serialised manga, so new chapters will comes out When The Author Wants To - but a second one is out already, and from that it definitely seems like we’re getting more!

While I was reading chapter 32 spoilers I noticed that this statement by Yashiro might be lost in translation, so I thought about elaborating it for those that are interested. Explaining how second person is used in the context of Japanese conversation is actually pretty damn complicated but hopefully I can explain it in a way that makes sense ^^

In general, Japanese people avoid using the word “you” when conversing with others as it is impolite under most circumstances. If the person has a title, you would use that e.g. Sensei, Kashira, Senpai. If not, you use their names e.g. Yashiro, Yashiro-san etc. to avoid using the word “you”  

So, when is it appropriate to use the word “you”?

Before we get to this, it’s helpful to note that there are several ways of saying the word “you” in Japanese. I’ve listed the most common ones used nowadays (in order of politeness)

Anata (あなた) – most polite way of saying the word “you” (tend to be used more by girls than guys but can be both genders). In general, only used when referring to someone equal or lower than yourself, can be both formal and impolite depending on the context you use it in.

Kimi (君) – used when referring to someone equal or lower than yourself (used more by guys than girls) less polite compared to Anata but much politer than Anta/Omae

Anta (あんた/アンタ) – can be used by both genders, comes from the word “Anata” but way more informal. Impolite way of saying “you” in most context

Omae (お前) – used only by guys and similarly to Anta, impolite in most context  

Teme (てめえ)/Kisama (貴様) – used only by guys and rudest way to say the word “you”. You often hear it in anime/manga to insult/express anger at another person but in real life it is not generally used  

So back to the question about when it is appropriate/okay to use the word “you” without necessary being rude…

1.      When older person is using it to refer to someone younger/less authority (e.g. teacher to student, boss to his subordinates, senpai to kouhai)

Yashiro often refers to his subordinates (Doumeki/Nanahara) as “Omae” and Misumi refers to Yashiro as “Omae”. While older person can refer to someone younger/less authority as “you”, in general, younger person should never be using the word “you” at someone who is older/has more authority unless they want to be disrespectful.

2.      When there is strong desire/need to emphasise the word “You”

e.g. I like you [Kimi/Anata ga suki], I need you, what is your name? etc (but even in this case, it is unusual for someone younger to use the word “you” when conversing with older person and whether it’s rude or not is very context dependent).

3.      Between two people that are intimate/close

Husband can refer to his wife as Omae and wife can refer to husband as Anata and it can be an endearment in certain context (more commonly accepted in western Japan than eastern).

Similarly, close male friends can use the word “Omae” especially in the context where their relationship is solid enough that formalities don’t matter. (e.g. Yashiro and Kageyama)  

So how is Doumeki using the word “you”? From volume 1-3 there is two instances where Doumeki uses the word “Anata (you)” at Yashiro

“I’ll do anything if I can be by your side” (volume 1, chapter 3)

“I can’t ask for it to stop if that’s what you want to do” (volume 3, chapter 15)

We see Doumeki using the word “Anata (you)” during a more intimate scene with Yashiro when there is only two of them together. While he should really be saying “Kashira (boss)” instead of “Anata (you)”, he uses it here to emphasise the word “you” and to make his statement more personal by breaking the boundary between boss/subordinate relationship. While Yashiro is clearly noticing this, he doesn’t comment on it. If it was coming from any of the other subordinates, like Nanahara or Sugimoto I’m pretty sure they’ll be thoroughly beaten up. (He later does mention that he has a soft spot for Doumeki and it shows in this instance too)

From end of volume 4 onwards we start to see Doumeki use “Anata” much more frequently. He says it a total of 5 times at Yashiro during the time they spend together at his apartment.

Some examples: “I have always loved touching your hair”; “No if I hadn’t met you I would be…” (volume 5 chapter 24)

Here the word “Anata” conveys a more possessive tone akin to those exchanged between lovers.

In chapter 32, Doumeki again refers to Yashiro as “Anata”

“I will not leave by your side”

Yashiro repeats the word “Anata” back  at Doumeki to make a statement that he is overstepping his boundaries as it is not a term that should be used between a boss and his subordinate. He also states right after that it was a mistake for him to sleep with Doumeki (Just because we’ve slept together, don’t think that you can boss me around is the undertone here)

Saezuru chapter 31 came out in Japan today, and things are starting to spiral out of control! It’s intense, I can tell you that. And to say that Yashiro is in deep shit is an understatement! The Yakuza plot is about to turn into a full-fledged Takeshi Kitano movie, and there’s a lot of it again. But Yashiro, Misumi, Nanahara and Doumeki all have their moments. It will take me a while to write up the summary, so here are the main details/ events:

The chapter has 31 pages! The teaser page with Doumeki is NOT the last page, but almost.

We now have an open Yakuza war.

Nakamoto, the boss of the Gouda Group is no more. He got killed by Hirata’s men.

Hirata blames Yashiro for the massacre and spreads the rumour everywhere.

Everyone left of the Gouda Group is now after Yashiro!

Also, my biggest fear came true: Inami (the cop who got beat up by Doumeki) is back, and guess on whose side.

Misumi knows that Hirata is responsible for everything, and now has no other choice than to get directly involved in the war if he wants to save Yashiro’s life.

But Hirata killed everyone who could possibly serve as a witness in the drug deal and Gouda mess, so now it’s his word against Yashiro’s in front of the Doushinkai executives.

Yashiro gets informed about the rumours by Nanahara, but pretends to be unfazed as always.

He asks Misumi to cut ties with him and kick him out of the group, as things will only get worse if he keeps trying to protect him. Misumi gets mad at Yashiro for saying that.

Sugimoto suffers a shot in his leg when the Shinseikai office is being attacked by former Gouda Group members.

He makes it back to Kageyama’s clinic where Yashiro and Nanahara are, but tells them that he was probably followed by someone.

Yashiro is only waiting for his car to arrive, with the full intention to leave Nanahara and Sugimoto behind at the clinic.

Nanahara tries to stop him, but Yashiro kicks him in the stomach and leaves him writhing on the floor.

The kick probably tore his own wound open again, because he feels dizzy when he steps out of the clinic to get into his car that just arrived.

He sees Doumeki in the driver’s seat and freezes.

A motorcycle pulls up from behind and Yashiro almost gets shot, but Doumeki pulls him to the ground instantly and covers him with his body.

He pushes (throws?) Yashiro into the car and takes off with him.

Yashiro has a long WTF moment as he stares at Doumeki from the passenger seat.

it’s captive prince except modern AU and also they’re lesbians. please don’t ask any questions

They've been healing, simultaneously.