Isa

(image description: a three panel drawing with very simple sketched lines and only a little quick coloration. it depicts a woman sitting at a desk, with a computer keyboard, musing aloud; "sometimes I wish my creative works would just make themselves...", after which she is startled by the arrival of a stick figure with a square head labeled "generative AI," which replies; "I can do that." the final panel is the only one with detailed color and lighting, showing the artist whipping out a pencil-shaped laser gun and exploding the AI entity. end description.)

Fan Translators: hmm taking into account the intention of the original and the rules of both languages, plus the tone of the story, the best title would probably be something like Adherent of the Blade of Duality, but probably an official translation would want to shorten it to Blade of Duality, or perhaps Double-Edged Sword to borrow a popular turn of phrase that also fits thematically--

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Recently one of my friends confronted me and asked about the possibility of me being trans, and I had to keep denying it until he bought the act because he, along with the rest of my friend group, is extremely transphobic. Afterwards, I started realizing that the whole conversation felt like the opening scene of TSHD, where Yoshiki asks “Hikaru” if he’s the real Hikaru, and “Hikaru” immediately folds and reveals his true form to him.

If I had admitted that I was trans right away, I know for sure I would’ve lost my entire friend group. The friends I’ve made and kept over the course of over five years would’ve been gone in an instant.

Of course, I’ve come out to a few people that I know are allies, kinda like how Yoshiki is the only one who knows about “Hikaru.” I know that those people are good at keeping secrets, so I’m not worried about them accidentally outing me to someone else.

But even with a select few people knowing, there’s still a huge weight on my shoulders.

I’m a trans person hiding amongst a bunch of Catholic people. Much like how “Hikaru” is a 200 year old eldritch mountain spirit hiding amongst a bunch of humans.

There are already a lot of theories that TSHD is an allegory about being closeted in a homophobic environment disguised as a supernatural horror story, but after having to experience something similar to what “Hikaru” experienced, I can definitely see that interpretation of the story. Of course, nothing is said upfront about it, but the undertones are enough proof to go off of.

With all that being said, TSHD has become very meaningful to me as a closeted individual, and it’s comforting in a way to have a character to relate to.

“You’ve probably been targeted.