Team Crimson Flame

Like a madman with a death wish, I am going to attempt... three posts this weekend. One for each of the Aetheria trio - Waruna, Kurane, and Yoshiko. (人◕ω◕)** Why? Because this is the harem series lagging behind, and honestly... There's gonna be overlap with these three in particular. I'll isolate the parts that are different as best as I can so that we taste the distinct flavors of each actress. I won't disrespect them and lump them into a single post... That's just not polite. (人◕ω◕)***

It means more work for me. But what you gonna do? There won't be as many pictures involved because fanart of these gals is few and far in-between. I'll still attach some from a buddy of mine, but that might be it.

The Beginning

Yoshiko~ \(人◕ω◕)/ The leader of the Aetheria trio. The one who always views herself as only ever being second-best to Aiko, second-in-command, a cheap imitation of the best friend they lost... Yoshiko is extremely critical of herself. And why wouldn't she be? Yoshiko steps up to lead the theater club when Aiko dies; being the backbone of a whole club of competitive would-be actresses... that type of responsibility weighs and eats away at your soul. Especially when you try so hard to fill the void of someone as precious as Aiko. ... It's a lonely, thankless battle. Day in and day out. (人◕ω◕)

To be honest, Yoshiko has heavy parallels with Sayaka Maizono. ... Probably why I enjoy her so much. XD Aiko, from what we know of her, radiates heavy Makoto energy - and Yoshiko tries so hard to imitate her in ways that matter because she admires Aiko. (人◕ω◕) Yoshiko has a certain... plainness to her. Her parents are toy makers/researchers at Amaterasu, so she's not quite as well off as Waruna (parents run Marunomon Bank, only bank in the city) and Kurane (whose parents/family are from the old Kanai Ward aristocracy). As a result, Yoshiko has a fondness for stuffed animals, and even developed a hobby of sewing.

... Although needles... Like, medical needles... (人◕ω◕);;; Yoshiko dreads those... Get that **** away from her. (人◕ω◕);;;;;;;;

Still. Even if she's plain, Yoshiko works hard to be one of the best actresses in the club. Hence, she does have talent, and she knows club members look up to her. She even has a healthy rivalry with Waruna and Kurane, who she also admires; sure, it doesn't feel too good to lose roles or opportunities one auditions for, but some of the sting is taken away when it's your best friends getting those roles. (人◕ω◕) ... Though if Karen gets the roles........ (人◕ω◕);;;

Anyway, Yoshiko did have a great deal of hero worship for Aiko... So much so that the club members knew she was clear besties with Aiko (even long after Aiko passed), whereas Waruna and Kurane were more subtle with their friendship with Aiko. At least in public. And because the four of them kept their close friendship more private, it was easy to convince the club that they considered each other "suspects" in Aiko's death, and thus were bitter enemies in public for the past half year.

In reality, the trio was biding their time, keeping Karen off their trail. There was a brief period where they really did drift apart, but Yoshiko did her research into Aiko's death, and managed to get the gang back together with the knowledge of the truth. And they tried... everything within their power to expose Karen and get justice for Aiko. Yoshiko put their heads together to imagine every alternative imaginable - Waruna's blunt nature, Kurane's knowledge of detectives/mysteries, and her own research of the law and cunning plans.

But... Karen's dad was a big shot at Amaterasu. Which means the Peacekeepers were always a trigger pull away from getting involved when Karen got spooked. What's worse is that Yoshiko was the one that kept reminding Waruna and Kurane that this senior year of high school was their last opportunity to strike at Karen - once graduation hits, Karen will be all but impossible to punish. Bodyguards around her 24/7, eyes of the city on her... This is their last chance.

The constant string of failures eat away at Yoshiko. Days turn into weeks, which turn into months... Graduation is only drawing closer, and that means Karen is slipping through their fingers. Everyone else is fooled into thinking Aiko took her own life, and that's... Yoshiko can't stand it. Whereas Kurane suffers in anguish and Waruna is pissed the hell off, Yoshiko is a tempered mix of the two. The frustration and hatred of Karen for taking Aiko away eats away at her, day after day. Yoshiko wants justice, and she wants resolution for Waruna, for Kurane, and... for herself. But Karen keeps the truth buried, and makes running the theater club so difficult...

Yoshiko reaches a breaking point because she heaps so much on her own shoulders. As much as she wants to believe in the power of law and getting justice the right way, Yoshiko can't see that happening while Yomi Hellsmile runs Kanai Ward. And... that can only mean they have to punish Karen themselves. ... Or Yoshiko herself, in the ideal situation.

But killing Karen... It's not something she can pull off on her own. Karen's too paranoid. If Yoshiko makes a mistake, gets exposed for trying to take Karen's life, it'll all be for nothing. ... Yoshiko needs Waruna and Kurane. She can't do this without them. It's selfish, and asks entirely too much, and Waruna is right to be upset at her for proposing such an option... But... But Yoshiko had to bring it up. They're out of time. Nothing is working. Yoshiko will go mad if she keeps this bottled up, and... and she needs them to understand that she is aware what she's asking of them. Yoshiko knows it's too much. Yoshiko believes she's prepared to take responsibility for all of them, to shoulder the guilt all herself, but she needs them to do this together... It's selfish, it's reprehensible, but this is all they have left.

... Unfortunately for Yoshiko, even after getting Waruna and Kurane reluctantly onboard, the plan to kill Karen proves exceedingly complicated to hash out and practice in secret. And about a week before the fateful performance, a few new faces show up at Aetheria, poking around about Aiko's death. It doesn't take long for Yoshiko to connect the dots and figure out Kurane is taking risks... That if this keeps up, Karen will be spooked and the play will get called off.

They can't have that. Even if Yoshiko understands Kurane's desperation for another option, it's too late to turn back now. If this "other option" fizzles out like all their other attempts, and they discarded the opportunity to murder Karen, that'll be the worst outcome. There won't be another guarantee to punish Karen, not before they graduate. What's more, Yuma's questions about living for herself, taking it easier, they strike a chord with Yoshiko. She can't afford to have second thoughts about this plan, and she refuses to regret filling the hole that Aiko left behind.

So she confronts Kurane about her choices to meddle with the plan... And Yoshiko feels horrible for shattering her poor friend. Which is why she decides to carry on with just Waruna, tweak the plan. Allow Kurane to sit this out.

The plan goes to hell. The Peacekeepers arrive far too quickly after Karen's "death", and home in on her, Waruna, and Kurane. It's a nightmare. Kurane manages to spare them by throwing one of those detectives she brought in under the bus, but everything can still go wrong. Yoshiko does her best to hold it together during the investigation, but it's... incredibly difficult with all the Peacekeepers around.

To Yoshiko's bewilderment, the incident resolves with all of them saved. The detectives were cornered, dead to rights, and Karen of all people outs herself and owns up to her crimes. Karen duped them all, and... it fills Yoshiko with so many conflicting emotions. Martina Electro even backs down and lets them all go - the detectives, the three of them... It's too good to be true, but it happens.

Kurane breaks down from her betrayals, and it takes the new guy - Yuma - comforting and calming her down before she accepts much needed TLC from Waruna and Yoshiko. Yoshiko still doesn't know what to make of the detectives; she'd rather they all keep their distance and not tempt fate. Move on with their lives. But she can't be ungrateful for the detectives helping them out...

Yoshiko will just wait and see...

The Middle Act

It's great to have Kurumi as another friend, another bestie of Aiko... But Kurumi, Waruna, and Kurane all cozy up to the detectives way too quickly for Yoshiko's liking. (人◕ω◕)** They even ditch school for it, and that... It frustrates Yoshiko to no end as an honors student, and she drags them back to school whenever possible. Because they're in their senior year. And they should know better. (人◕ω◕)***

Yoshiko reluctantly starts bonding with the detectives, to keep Kurane happy more than anything, but they're definitely an unruly bunch that gets Yoshiko's blood boiling. The theater club members are forcing Yoshiko to take a break from the club, and her motherly nature finds Yoshiko's lack of reliable leadership... very frustrating. (人◕ω◕)* Everyone just does as they pleases. Desuhiko needs a restraining order on women, Halara needs many tastes of humble pie, Aphex is so reckless (a real brute), Fubuki is so sheltered...

We don't talk about Vivia. Vivia needs to be placed in a straightjacket with that needle he always carries!!! (人◕ω◕)***

Yuma is normal compared to all these weirdos, and the poor guy has such confidence issues...! He's the least offensive out of his comrades, and he's the one that Kurane is closest with... Yoshiko would still prefer if they kept their distance from the detectives, but she does feel guilty that Yuma echoes similar sentiments and wants to bear the brunt of Amaterasu's ire... That doesn't feel right to Yoshiko, but she doesn't know what to do; she wants to prioritize Kurane, Waruna, and Kurumi, but she feels bad for Yuma and wishes she could help him.

As Chapter 3 rolls around, and things get sticky again, Yoshiko warms up to Yuma after understanding him more properly. She helps the girls keep organized and composed during the investigation, and she does worry for Yuma as situations get dicier. The sub nuked, the bombings across the city, the detectives hunted down by the Peacekeepers... It's hella stressful on all of them. ... If Yoshiko had Yuma rest on her lap to soothe them both, that's her business. (人◕ω◕)

But the incident resolves, just as miraculous as last time. The detectives get a new sub, Hellsmile's off licking his wounds... Yoshiko's not sure what to make of Kagutsuchi - doesn't trust him, but he seems friendly for now. What's important is comforting Yuma, and the other detectives impacted by all these hectic, cruel turn of events. Celebrate being alive.

... Doesn't take long for Kagustuchi to drag Yuma and the agency into more trouble, and Yoshiko tries putting her foot down, keep Yuma from going to Amaterasu without backup... But it's through good fortune the other detectives end up there anyway, and the Resistance members as well.

Chapters 4 and 5 resolve (spoilers)...

The Future

Considering how fast-paced Rain Code is, we can keep the summaries short and sweet like that. Honestly, all those events serve as how the girls met Yuma and got to know him a little better in subsequent events. The meat of their relationship lies in the post-game. (人◕ω◕)

After everything's settled, Yomi's locked somewhere dark, Amaterasu's razed for all the years of abuse to the city, and Kanai's on it's way to being a stable society again... Yoshiko graduates from Aetheria with her friends~ Kurane runs off to join the WDO. Waruna pursues her career as an actress with a side career of being an informant. Kurumi remains an informant. Aiko sticks with acting, much like Waruna...

Well. To be blunt. Yoshiko and Waruna both decided to mentor under Souta Crawford, along with Kurumi. Yoshiko proposed the idea because they felt Kurumi and Souta's "Handyman" business (Maiya and Martina staffed under him) needed more helping hands if they were going to have a reliable informant network in Kanai Ward again. They all wanted to help out the Nocturnal Detective Agency, keep their home from returning to dark, desolate times like when Hellsmile was in charge. It just doesn't feel right leaving Yuma and the agency to handle most of the vigilant watch over Kanai Ward...

Yoshiko might've loved to go into acting like Waruna and Aiko, but fact is... With Aiko returned to them, in mind and body, Yoshiko doesn't feel as passionate about the stage anymore. Time spent with the detectives revealed to her that they need someone to help coordinate things. To be on standby when things go... awry. Rally the backup reserves. Yoshiko can't be in such a position if she's in a committed role as an actress.

... So Yoshiko settles for the role of a seamstress. Making stage costumes and the like. (人◕ω◕) There's still deadlines with those, obligations, but it's more manageable than compared to auditioning for roles and staying committed to plays. ... Plus, she can make clothes/outfits for Yuma. Her favorite teddy bear. (人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)

Yoshiko has an easier time developing a relationship with Yuma than... some of the others. She's a people person because of her experience with the theater club, and Yuma-kun is a great listener~ And she's very open and supportive of Yuma. Whereas Waruna struggles with the "mushy stuff", as does Guillaume. Fubuki is a romantic, but she's still learning a lot. Kurumi and Pucci are Yoshiko's main rivals for level-headed girlfriend. ... And they each tend to scheme around each other to get more alone time with Yuma. (人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)

As far as dynamics with the other girls go, Yoshiko has this paradox of being a reliable peacekeeper... and being a passionate rival. (人◕ω◕) That's why she butts heads with Guillaume, Waruna, Pucci, and even Kurumi at times... She doesn't hesitate to chew the girls out for being... lewd around Yuma-kun, among other transgressions. Like Waruna, she's used to being competitive to get what she wants. Yoshiko may have given up acting, but she will not give up Yuma. (人◕ω◕)

She gets along better with Fubuki and Kurane, but even they have their sneaky moments... Yoshiko must remain ever vigilant. (人◕ω◕)

As for the first girl to be blessed with Yuma's children... Yoshiko will proudly make it known she's in the running for that. (人◕ω◕) This will of course be disputed, but... y'know... She and Yuma get pretty intimate a lot... And it's not always her initiating the cuddles or laying in Yoshiko's creamy, soft thighs... (人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)

WHEW. That's the Aetheria trio, really. I think I covered a lot~

First post (Kurumi): https://www.tumblr.com/pyropsychiccollector/744071239670300672/yuma-harem-down-came-the-rain-17?source=share

Second post (Fubuki): https://www.tumblr.com/pyropsychiccollector/769062324656111616/yuma-harem-down-came-the-rain-27?source=share

Third post (Waruna): https://www.tumblr.com/pyropsychiccollector/801500132956848128/yuma-harem-down-came-the-rain-37?source=share

Like a madman with a death wish, I am going to attempt... three posts this weekend. One for each of the Aetheria trio - Waruna, Kurane, and Yoshiko. (人◕ω◕)** Why? Because this is the harem series lagging behind, and honestly... There's gonna be overlap with these three in particular. I'll isolate the parts that are different as best as I can so that we taste the distinct flavors of each actress. I won't disrespect them and lump them into a single post... That's just not polite. (人◕ω◕)***

It means more work for me. But what you gonna do? There won't be as many pictures involved because fanart of these gals is few and far in-between. I'll still attach some from a buddy of mine, but that might be it.

The Beginning

Kurane-chan... (人◕ω◕) She is... a wallflower. Not entirely happy with her status as one, but Kurane uses her quiet, unseen nature to support Aiko, Yoshiko, and Waruna.

... That's how things used to be. Before Aiko died. To give a Danganronpa comparison, she's gentle, nervous, and kind like Seiko Kimura, while having a little bit of Touko Fukawa's waspish tongue when she's upset or irritated. Kurane hadn't even wanted to be an actress in the first place; her parents made her join to make her more sociable. She had been fine on her own, reading romance/mystery books...

But Kurane met Aiko, Yoshiko, and Waruna through the theater club. Things weren't perfect with how competitive the club could be, but she at least had her first real friends. (人◕ω◕) In this AU, she has an adopted older brother, Ken Historia, who's a university professor that she idolizes a great deal. ... So when Peacekeepers arrested and threw him in prison on trumped up charges three years before present day, Kurane had been beside herself in grief. Only receiving comfort from the few friends she made since joining the theater club.

... Then six months before present day, Aiko was murdered. Around that time, Waruna and Yoshiko drifted away from Kurane because they suspected each other, and it broke Kurane even more. But after offering her help, Kurane and Yoshiko look into Aiko's death, and determine Karen was the culprit, and they make up with Waruna soon enough.

They try everything they can to expose Karen's crimes, bring her to justice, but every method is met with failure - and at worst, threat of Peacekeeper reaction. Karen's father is a big-shot at Amaterasu, so clearly the Peacekeepers want to keep this incident covered up and write Aiko's death off as a suicide.

When they hit a wall of what else to do, Yoshiko... puts forward the idea of killing Karen. Waruna immediately and loudly objects, and gets in a fierce argument with Yoshiko that Kurane can tell eats away at Yoshiko; she didn't propose the murder option because she liked it, they were just... out of options. And Kurane could at least understand the desire to see Karen receive justice for killing Aiko, their best friend. It frustrated all of them to see Karen walk around without consequences for what she did.

So Kurane tries... placating both sides. She also understands Waruna refusing to stoop to Karen's level, and Kurane would prefer it if Yoshiko and Waruna didn't have to stain their hands with blood. It's just... graduation is this year, and they're running out of time to strike at Karen. They... have to keep options open, much as it pains Kurane. They can't let Karen go unpunished; once Karen graduates, it'll be all but impossible to get at her.

They reluctantly settle on the murder plot, so long as they do it together. Yoshiko and Waruna effectively gave up on other options, but Kurane always kept her eyes and ears open. Desperate. Anxiously waiting. The only detective left in Kanai Ward isn't allowed near serious crimes like Aiko's death, but she hears rumors that his agency has expanded lately with WDO sending new recruits from out of town... So Kurane goes to investigate on her own.

And what Kurane finds is... a bunch of eccentric, unruly people that might or might not be able to help them. ... Kurane is conflicted how to feel about the Nocturnal Detective Agency. But she homes in on Yuma, because he's the "rookie" of the group, very similar to herself with how nervous and shy he can be... It makes Kurane feel so rotten, but she blackmails Yuma into investigating Aiko's death. She wants to test him and make sure he can actually help...

Yuma ends up bringing along Desuhiko and Melami to Aetheria, much to Kurane's dismay. She wanted to test him, not them... And further, Desuhiko is a pervert and keeps trying to hit on her schoolmates... Yoshiko is gonna be so pissed when she finds out what Kurane did.........

Yoshiko is in fact very pissed, and it destroys Kurane on the inside when confronted. Even though Kurane refuses to take part in the murder plot any more, Yoshiko and Waruna seemingly go through with it... Karen "dies" on stage as planned, and Kurane is left devastated beyond belief. Because Yuma and the others will undoubtedly try to get to the bottom of the case, and the Peacekeepers were impossibly quick in responding to Karen's "death", and now she, Waruna, and Yoshiko are pegged as the culprits...

Kurane throws Yuma under the bus to keep the rest of them safe... It makes her inconsolable and she withdraws in on herself as the investigation progresses. She worries for Yuma and his friends as they investigate, keeping the Peacekeepers running around... And when they get cornered on stage, Kurane fears that's the end for Yuma...

But unexpectedly, Karen outs herself and confesses to her crime of killing another student to fake her death. Yuma and the detectives are released, and Yoshiko and Waruna were never murderers... Kurane is so relieved, but she's also incredibly guilty over everything that happened... Kurane runs off in grief to be by herself, and it takes Yuma coming to find her and calm her down. Kurane's blackmail and throwing the blame onto him during the investigation wasn't "okay", but Yuma understands she was desperate to protect Yoshiko and Waruna. Yuma wants to start over and be Kurane's friend, and that... means the world to Kurane. She harbors a dream to become a detective herself one day. Maybe now she can start striving for that. (人◕ω◕)

The Middle Act

In the weeks that follow, Kurane is in her happy place. (人◕ω◕) She's friends with Yuma, and she's getting used to the colorful characters of the Nocturnal Detective Agency. Waruna is giving the detectives a chance, and she has a new friend in Kurumi, who was also besties with Aiko. (人◕ω◕) Sure, Kurane skips school a lot more to be with Yuma and the other detectives, and Yoshiko has a cow over it, but she is in her happy place~ Kurane is not ignored or treated as a creep. She is content. (人◕ω◕)

Although when the sub is nuked by Yomi... And Yuma is kidnapped by the Resistance... Kurane suffers more heart attacks and rallies the troops as it were, determined to save Yuma and fix this mess. (人◕ω◕) In the subsequent incidents, Kurane helps Yoshiko and Kurumi investigate crime scenes to help Yuma out as he strives to get to the bottom of these bombings.

... If she's a little jelly about Waruna getting more time with Yuma, that's Kurane's business. (人◕ω◕);;;

The Red Rain fiasco resolves itself soon enough, and Yuma and crew get a new sub out of the deal. Yomi's off licking his wounds. Everything is right with the world. (人◕ω◕) ... Well, Yuma seems affected by this latest incident, traumatized by something, but Kurane will be there for him.

One result of the Red Rain fiasco is that her adopted brother, Ken, escaped from prison with a number of others, and Kurane is relieved to reunite with him and bring him back home. She also gets to see Yuma meet with him, and Ken imparts some encouraging wisdom that Yuma sorely needs in this turbulent time. (人◕ω◕)

Having the Resistance around as more friends is... interesting... But it's just a sign that Kanai Ward is shaping up, little by little. She and Yoshiko have Yuma attend mandatory sleepovers with them over the next week, to ensure he remains safe and sound.

... Kurane is worried sick when Yuma gets pulled into the mess at Amaterasu Corp (Chapter 4, spoilers). And even more worried when he's dropped in the Restricted Area (Chapter 5, spoilers). But they all manage to resolve these incidents, and Kanai Ward is finally freed from Amaterasu's oppression. (人◕ω◕)

The Future

Considering how fast-paced Rain Code is, we can keep the summaries short and sweet like that. Honestly, all those events serve as how the girls met Yuma and got to know him a little better in subsequent events. The meat of their relationship lies in the post-game. (人◕ω◕)

In the immediate aftermath of Chapter 5, after graduating from Aetheria with her friends, Kurane decides to go train at the WDO and become a Master Detective. It's not an easy decision, leaving home, leaving Yuma, but she wants to be a proper, official detective and not just a freelance. Yuma is a freelance, but he's tutoring under Yakou, and Kurane doesn't want to take that away from him. While at the WDO, she develops her Forte, Chameleon (name subject to change), which allows her to be "invisible" whenever she wills it. She can only keep up the invisibility for so long, though.

After completing her training with the WDO, Kurane is formally assigned to Kanai Ward, in part due to her nature as a homunculus. It's safer to station her there. And that's where she wanted to go anyway. Kurane has a nice homecoming with Yoshiko, Waruna, Kurumi, Aiko, Yuma, and the NDA. And she's slotted with Yuma at the branch office (the sub). (人◕ω◕)

Kanai Ward has healed a great deal in the two years Kurane's been away, but they're still getting back on their feet and things are still changing. Shachi and a number of the Resistance volunteered to form the police force, keeping the streets safe; Zange helped train them to be competent law-enforcers. The courts are still being ironed out, but at least they're not taking bribes from Amaterasu or anyone else thus far. Damages from the bombings is largely cleared away by now, and new construction projects are ongoing.

One of the biggest changes is seeing that... murder cases are handled very differently now. Since they're all homunculi, it's impossible to truly kill anyone. Yet this doesn't stop criminal elements from committing "murder" anyway - whether out of spite or some darker purpose. The "victims" can become key witnesses, but people can still be framed for crimes. Crime isn't completely expunged from Kanai Ward, but they're all working to be a better community overall.

This is the Kanai Ward Kurane comes home to, two years later. Yuma's doing better with some experience and training under his belt, but he's still a little green, and now Kurane's joined him as a detective. (人◕ω◕) It's not the sanest job to have (that is, keeping your own sanity while doing the work), but Kanai needs detectives to stay on the up and up. And they're developing a real community of detectives, police, informants, courts... Things will still go wrong, but it won't be "as bad" as when Yomi was in charge. (人◕ω◕)

Kurane also develops a hobby of romance/mystery writing, mostly short stories but sometimes writes novels. If she takes inspiration from their own lives, that's her business. (人◕ω◕) When the girls confess their feelings to Yuma after some time as friends, Kurane's the one bursting with ideas for dates and all the relationship details... Sometimes her overexuberance is overwhelming, but Yuma takes it in stride. Kurane's a good girl. (人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)

While Kurane sometimes butts heads with Pucci still, as the harem gets far enough along they somewhat settle down compared to Pucci butting heads with Waruna and Yoshiko. Kurane gets along with Fubuki and Kurumi, is clearly friends with Waruna and Yoshiko... Kurane and Guillaume don't interact much, though. Mostly because Guillaume retains her bullying streak a little bit. It's been reduced to mean teasing, but she's still not the easiest to get along with. (人◕ω◕) Not to mention, Kurane isn't sure what to make of Dominic, who's essentially like a father figure to Guillaume...

While Kurane isn't as much of a homemaker as Yoshiko and Kurumi, she still lends them her support. Cuz Yuma often overextends himself during the day and tuckers himself out. Hubby needs his rest. (人◕ω◕) They all settle into Makoto's old penthouse suite easily enough.

As to who gets preggo with Yuma's kids first... (人◕ω◕);;

Kurane would rather not talk about it. That's a highly divisive debate... (人◕ω◕);;

First post (Kurumi): https://www.tumblr.com/pyropsychiccollector/744071239670300672/yuma-harem-down-came-the-rain-17?source=share

Second post (Fubuki): https://www.tumblr.com/pyropsychiccollector/769062324656111616/yuma-harem-down-came-the-rain-27?source=share

Like a madman with a death wish, I am going to attempt... three posts this weekend. One for each of the Aetheria trio - Waruna, Kurane, and Yoshiko. (人◕ω◕)** Why? Because this is the harem series lagging behind, and honestly... There's gonna be overlap with these three in particular. I'll isolate the parts that are different as best as I can so that we taste the distinct flavors of each actress. I won't disrespect them and lump them into a single post... That's just not polite. (人◕ω◕)***

It means more work for me. But what you gonna do? There won't be as many pictures involved because fanart of these gals is few and far in-between. I'll still attach some from a buddy of mine, but that might be it.

The Beginning

So... Waruna. (人◕ω◕) This feisty, spunky girl took me a little time to warm up to, compared to Kurane and Yoshiko. But Waruna has her blunt charm, and no one can deny she's loyal to her friends. What makes Waruna... rough... is that in her profile, and in the way she carries herself in the scenes we see her portrayed, Waruna dislikes... sympathy. (人◕ω◕);;; Likes trendy makeup, in general she's a fashionista. Yet despite her feminine tastes in hobbies, Waruna comes off as a no-nonsense tomboy that is both adorkably naïve to her few friends and extremely hostile/bossy to everyone... not her friends. Canon shows us that a number of girls were leery of her, rude back, or gave "Waruna" (Yuma) the info she was asking about if they were meek enough.

If you care for my assessment, I believe much of the brusque behavior she displayed in Chapter 2 was due to the trio's scheme, keeping Karen off their trail. Yet some of the hostility may also be the result of Waruna being a "guard dog" for her inner circle, like Kurane, who often gets snubbed and jeered at; I can very easily see Waruna flipping tables if somebody crossed the line while commenting about Kurane. (人◕ω◕) The blunt, confrontational behavior may also be in part due to Aetheria Academy theater club's competitive nature. Basically, there's a few factors that can explain "why" Waruna is the tough girl amongst the trio. I just laid out a few potential reasons in this analysis. Waruna is like a fusion of Junko Enoshima, Akane Owari, and Maki Harukawa. ... And that's fun for everybody. (人◕ω◕)

I bring up these character traits because it's important to understand "why" Waruna fell in with the plot to assassinate Karen. Waruna isn't bloodthirsty, not at all. But because of her abrasive nature, Waruna doesn't have that many friends... real friends. Aiko, Yoshiko, and Kurane were and are her most precious people, outside of her family. Everyone else, she's wary of. Especially Aetheria students, because if girls are getting too chummy, chances are it's theater club competition at work. The way canon paints it, the theater club is cutthroat much like the idol industry; you make a name for yourself, or you get stepped on and humiliated. Waruna has at least a couple of friends outside her inner circle, but she didn't trust them enough to explain the plot to assassinate Karen.

So why did Waruna fall in with this scheme? Because Aiko was murdered. Because her efforts, along with Kurane and Yoshiko, weren't going anywhere in bringing Aiko's murderer to justice. I like to imagine - thanks to another buddy of mine - that Waruna initially opposed the murder option the strongest when Yoshiko put it forward. That the mere proposal caused a tense argument among the trio, and it's not something they immediately accepted. ... Because it's murder, you know? Even if Karen "deserves" it for killing Aiko, it's still a hell of a line to cross. The whole thing made Waruna's stomach curdle like sour milk, and it was very hard to tolerate Yoshiko after she voiced the "option". Kurane wasn't helping with her middle of the road pacifier attitude; she didn't like the murder option either, but Kurane wasn't reacting strongly enough against it...

In this AU, they wind up going with the plan because they're out of options for bringing Karen to justice... But about a week before the plan goes off, in the last few days even, Kurane "flakes out" for reasons unknown to Waruna - she just hears about it from Yoshiko, who has to modify the plan so just the two of them can kill Karen. Waruna doesn't know what to make of a few new faces around Aetheria, snooping around about Aiko's death.

Between the incognito detectives, who Kurane brought in as a last try to bring Karen to justice without bloodshed, and Yoshiko changing up the script to accommodate their plan, Karen catches on and fakes her death while attempting to frame Waruna, Yoshiko, and Kurane for murder. Waruna internally panics at how "quickly" the Peacekeepers respond to "Karen" being killed on stage, and when Kurane very uneasily throws Yuma under the bus to save Waruna and Yoshiko from being arrested, Waruna nervously goes along with it. ... Because she doesn't know what's going on anymore, and she doesn't want to be arrested by Peacekeepers.

Suffice to say, Waruna doesn't like Yuma (incognito) snooping around about Aiko. She's very aggressive toward the "new girl", and the investigation into Karen's "murder" is all the more tense because everything's out of their control. Waruna doesn't like it at all. She knows Kurane is closing herself off for weird, vague reasons, and Yoshiko is probably barely keeping it together... All Waruna can do is hope it all works out for the best. ... Because she doesn't know what she'll do if she loses either of her remaining best friends.

After Chapter 2's all resolved, and Karen mysteriously outs herself and submits herself to the Peacekeepers, Waruna finally gets to see and hear about Kurane bringing in Yuma (and Desuhiko and Melami) to help investigate Karen. Kurane still breaks down emotionally for betraying Yuma earlier, and it takes the new guy consoling her and calming her down before Kurane accepts much needed TLC from Waruna and Yoshiko. Waruna isn't sure what to make of this Yuma guy, except he seems too much of a wuss like Kurane... So they need to fix that. Because Waruna can only handle one Kurane. New guy's just gonna have to deal. It's for his own good. (人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)

The Middle Act

In the following couple of weeks, Waruna, Kurumi, and Kurane gravitate toward the Nocturnal Detective Agency, much to Yoshiko's frustration. (人◕ω◕) Kurane wants to hang out with Yuma and the detectives the most, of course Kurumi is an informant so she's excited, but Waruna is curious about them and wants to make sure they won't hurt Kurane. ... Kurumi largely handles herself, it's Kurane that Waruna chiefly looks out for. (人◕ω◕)

Getting Yuma to shape up is hella work. The guy is just too nice, lets people walk over him and is so selfless... But talking with the guy does give Waruna food for thought, and his agency buddies are hilarious to watch sometimes. That Halara chick loves cats even more than Waruna, and that is saying something! But Waruna can't deny the facts. Halara is extremely knowledgeable about cats.... to a frightening degree... (人◕ω◕);; Real shame Halara is allergic to the critters. But at least they can bond over cats. And Aphex is a cool, takes-no-shit kinda guy. And Melami's a fashionista, too. (人◕ω◕)

... We don't talk about the perv. Desuhiko practically begs to be punched. (人◕ω◕)

When the Red Rain and Resistance fiascos transpire, Waruna's parents are hospitalized while so many others in their bank were blown to smithereens. Yuma and the rest of the detectives, on the run from Peacekeepers, investigate the bombings across the city and risk their lives to bring the culprits to justice. Waruna doesn't like Yuma risking himself again so soon, but after some stressful events they manage to resolve everything. They bring the terrorists to justice, and Waruna's parents will be okay. Doesn't erase the stress from all the running around the detectives did (some of which Waruna was there for), nor the fact Yomi Hellsmile nuked their sub and they got a new one dropped into their lap... But things worked out. Waruna, just like the other girls, are relieved Yuma survived and things can cool down. (人◕ω◕);;

... Except they don't. After a week or so of hosting sleepovers at Yoshiko and Kurane's houses, Yuma required to stay with them, the detectives get dragged into the mess at Amaterasu's research labs. Several Peacekeepers die, and for a time it seems like none of the detectives would make it back out. Somehow the situation resolves, however (spoilers), and Yuma escapes death's clutches again. (人◕ω◕)

... Then a week or two after that incident blows over, Yuma is kidnapped and dropped in the Restricted Area. This prompts everyone - the detectives, the Aetheria girls, and the Resistance - to go and save Yuma. It's definitely the most nail-biting experience for all of them in that zombie-infested area. But somehow they pull through (spoilers). (人◕ω◕)

The Future

Considering how fast-paced Rain Code is, we can keep the summaries short and sweet like that. Honestly, all those events serve as how the girls met Yuma and got to know him a little better in subsequent events. The meat of their relationship lies in the post-game. (人◕ω◕)

Among the trio, Waruna is likely the one to keep at the acting gig. She was the most passionate about it, and she can also dive into modeling as a side gig. These careers don't stop Waruna from being friends with Yuma and the Nocturnal Detective Agency. If anything, she's using her talents and passions to serve as an informant for the agency in her own quirky way. Because with Kanai Ward bouncing back from its overreliance on Amaterasu, they're reinstating various industries and vocations that Amaterasu smothered (the police, the courts, among several others). Informants is one of those things the city sorely needs, so that the weight isn't all on Kurumi's shoulders. Waruna and Yoshiko both agreed to follow in their friend's footsteps, as Kurumi partners with Yakou's old friend, Souta, to grow as an informant and learn from him.

They're just a small handful of informants. But it's a start. It's a life Waruna can get behind because she doesn't want Kanai to go to crap again. Suffering anyone like Yomi was enough for a thousand lifetimes. (人◕ω◕) Not to mention it's awesome having the detectives stick around~... It means that Aiko, and everyone else, will be safe. They won't have to know the despair of losing their loved ones again.

Kurane's the only one that directly went to train at the WDO and become a Master Detective. But she has Waruna's respect for that, and she remains stationed there in Kanai Ward. Another immortal detective for the WDO. (人◕ω◕)

It takes a few months for the girls to stop cockblocking each other and formally confess their feelings to Yuma. He's more or less accepted they all like him, like him. As unworthy as he feels. Waruna's done her best to help him with that confidence, but her tough approach to TLC usually results in someone else tagging in to take a softer, gentler approach. ... Usually it's Yoshiko, who scolds Waruna. Yoshiko and Waruna squabble a lot. In truth, both their approaches help Yuma to balance out. So Waruna isn't... all wrong. (人◕ω◕) She's just learning sympathy is necessary at times, and Yuma is her chief Sensei in that regard. (人◕ω◕)

Is Waruna satisfied with sharing Yuma with other girls? ... No. But. Since Yoshiko, Kurane, and Kurumi are involved, she tries to be open-minded and stuff. They're all greedy for hubby, though. And Yuma tries so hard to make them all happy. (人◕ω◕) Yoshiko, Pucci, and Guillaume are the ones that Waruna squabbles with the most; Kurumi and Fubuki are beacons of sunshine that Waruna tries not hitting because she's not jealous, she's not; and Kurane is the baby of the group that Waruna does her best to protect. (人◕ω◕) Yuma is apprenticed under Yakou post-game, so he's... shaping up. Kurane is, too... but... Waruna's known Kurane longer. She'll always be the baby. (人◕ω◕)

Eventually Yuma will be trusted with the submarine as a branch office of the Nocturnal Detective Agency... Though he was also given Makoto's penthouse suite, and has been staying there after everything resolved. The girls kinda talked him into accepting that offer from Makoto. It's a very nice suite. Very spacious... can accommodate them all... (人◕ω◕)

Even if the rain remains, the future is very bright for Kanai Ward.

... Just don't ask who gets preggers with Yuma's kids first...

Really... don't... (人◕ω◕);;;

Waruna says it was her.

And if it was someone else, you shut up.

First post (Kurumi): https://www.tumblr.com/pyropsychiccollector/744071239670300672/yuma-harem-down-came-the-rain-17?source=share

The Beginning

Tenko Chabashira. ... Ooh boy. (人◕ω◕);;

To be perfectly candid about her: Not all of Tenko's quirks/flaws are her fault. As canon explained, when she was young Tenko was prone to anger tantrums and over-activity. To the point that her parents feared she might not fit in society if they allowed her to keep on as she is.

... So her parents tried sending her to a temple to drill some discipline into Tenko.

This... had mixed results... (人◕ω◕);;

While at the temple, Tenko bonded with a particular priest that she called "Master", and they developed an aggressive martial arts style they called "Neo-Aikido". This "Master" of hers did help to curb some of Tenko's hyper energy, but not to the extent her parents hoped for. He cautioned Tenko to not be overexcited about Christmas or Valentine's Day; to not eat more than three sweets a day; to keep the environment clean; and other semi-useful advice like that. If she wasn't careful, Tenko would sabotage her Neo-Aikido energy... that's the training method the "Master" used to keep her invested. All the wisdom he gave to her went back to their Neo-Aikido, which Tenko was over the moon about. (人◕ω◕);;;

Tenko had fun times with her "Master", not just training, but also dressing up in masks and performing Good Samaritan actions like helping old ladies with their groceries, entertaining or helping children, exposing cheaters and sex offenders (and punishing them), and helping console girls after bad breakups. Through these experiences, Tenko began fostering a distaste for men... And her "Master" only fed the flames of these feelings into a raging inferno as he advised her to keep away from boys herself - otherwise, you guessed it, her Neo-Aikido energy would deplete.

Tenko swallowed everything her "Master" fed her. (人◕ω◕);; Admittedly the advice he gave Tenko was out of protective concern for her, but Tenko took everything quite literally and zealously. She despised boys with a passion, lumping them all as "degenerate males", and never quite realizing her "Master" was a "degenerate male" himself.

Her gullibility and hyper energy were still through the roof, but she was... sort of disciplined. (人◕ω◕);;; Fortunately for her parents, Hope's Peak scouted Tenko as the Ultimate Aikido Master, and they gladly supported her decision to attend... because they didn't know what else to do with the poor girl. And so she joined the 79th Class of HPA, for the few months that they were a formal Class before the Tragedy transpired.

To be frank, Tenko did not like any of the boys in her class and gave them all a wide berth, electing to associate with only the girls. Of course some boys - like poor Kaito - tried being friendly with her, but Tenko's aggressive method for dealing with her "problems" led to Tenko seizing said boys by the arms and tossing them. Because her "Master" said there is no shame in using weapons or attacking before a match begins. (人◕ω◕);;

So to be clear: Shuichi knew of Tenko, in those first few months. But he never got too close because he saw what she did to boys. Tenko similarly had Shuichi pegged as someone shady because he wore his cap all the time, and rarely was able to look people in the eyes. Of course he was just shy... But try telling Tenko that. Won't work out for you. (人◕ω◕);;

The Hazy Middle

As brought up in previous posts, the Tragedy hits and Class 79 is abducted by a separate party from Junko and Ultimate Despair. They have no idea where they are brought to, or why they're doing any of this. But they are eventually forced through "loops" of Killing Games, where they have to kill a classmate and fool everyone so that they can get the chance to leave the Ultimate Academy of Gifted Juveniles.

Except they're not really killing each other. All deaths are faked, and at the end of each "loop" their memories are "wiped" (suppressed), and the next "loop" carries on with a new scenario, a blank slate. Sometimes they're given fake names and talents to see what they do with them, but most of the time they are just themselves. And at times, they are made to "act out" scenes - like sifting through ruins in a "city" they believe to be Tokyo - to fool themselves into believing those are real memories.

None of them realize this is some sort of research project, they just press on with each "loop" in the hopes of escaping the Killing Game. Hopefully with their friends, and without resorting to murder.

Tenko is one of the few to almost never become a murderer herself, in spite of her anger management problems at the worst of times. Not even being around the boys gets the bloodlust pumping; Tenko's noble, heroic nature saves her from falling for most of the motives thrown their way. She doesn't like the boys due to her upbringing, but she doesn't want them dead... Just away from the girls. Maybe.

But Tenko is also a gullible one, often far too trusting. And as such, this leads her to become a victim or a scapegoat for murder. Despite her clinginess to Himiko, who she loves as a friend very much, the magician never hates her enough to want Tenko dead. Really, barring the most prickly classmates, Tenko sows a great deal of good will towards herself for being perky, optimistic, if not... naïve. Her aggression towards the boys does grate at times, but the class usually manages to get Tenko to dial it back as the Killing Games progress. She doesn't quite trust the boys, but for the sake of getting the girls out alive Tenko makes compromises where she must.

There's a few rare times where Tenko accidentally kills her classmates... But the memories of those incidents never come up in subsequent cycles. After determining that such memories bring Tenko to a broken, guilt-ridden state every time, the Mastermind elects to keep Tenko in a blank slate as much as possible during the "loops". Tenko never does anything "intriguing" with her repressed memories, she's just very confused and writes them off as dreams.

Bearing all this in mind, you might assume that Tenko and Shuichi never hit it off. A lot of the time, you may be right; they often don't get too close because of Tenko's upbringing and Shuichi's desire to not set the girl off.

Nevertheless, the first few "loops" where they did form a tentative friendship, these memories and emotions bubble at the back of Shuichi and Tenko's minds. The friendship is... an odd one. Shuichi will usually timidly approach Tenko to attempt to get to know her better, and Tenko will subsequently chuck him and accidentally knock him out. This will lead Tenko to guiltily carry Shuichi back to his room, and then have conflicting emotions later when Shuichi comes to talk to her again - still not happy with his status as a boy, yet still has some mild admiration for Shuichi's willingness to listen and his attempts at helping her learn things... Which she never asked for, but, you know. (人◕ω◕)

These same sort of experiences keep happening, and eventually it gets easier for Shuichi to approach Tenko and for her to allow him to get close. On an instinctual level, they remember their bond is safe; Shuichi won't try to pull anything, and Tenko won't legitimately hurt him beyond chucking him a few times because of misunderstandings. (人◕ω◕) Eventually when they grow close enough, Shuichi opens her eyes to the fact that her "Master" was a male, and that means not all guys are trash. Some can be good. Tenko in turn helps Shuichi realize some of the roots of his insecurities, and helps him to be a better, more confident person little by little. ... Even if Tenko has proposed more than a few times that Shuichi gets a sex change so she can be comfy with holding his hand. ... That, or he masters Neo-Aikido right that second... (人◕ω◕)

As a result of their quirky friendship, they rarely edge toward a romantic relationship in the Killing Game... There's hardly ever enough time where they're both alive long enough to let Tenko fully experience and demonstrate the affection she has for Shuichi. Likewise, any fond feelings Shuichi may have for Tenko are hampered by her reluctance to give boys a chance, and dreading what she might do if he admits to anything more than friendship. (人◕ω◕)

But these feelings do bubble beneath the surface. They're good friends despite the constant blank slates, and there's almost never a "loop" where Tenko well and truly hates Shuichi. She's a puppy and kitten rolled into one, so... yeah. (人◕ω◕)

The Ending... or a new Beginning...?

Eventually Class 79 earns their freedom. For a time, they do suffer comas from all their repressed memories returning... But once that's over and they can decide their own futures, Class 79 drifts their separate ways for a while.

Tenko's the last to make her way to the Saihara Detective Agency, after months of opening up a School of Neo-Aikido and feeling like something was missing from her life. Really, she moves her School to the same city/neck of the woods as Shuichi's agency, and they pick up where their friendship from the various Killing Games left off. Kirumi watches Tenko like a hawk, refusing to let Tenko chuck Shuichi around like a ragdoll again. (人◕ω◕)

When Tenko's romantic feelings grow into full bloom, Kirumi, Kaede, and Maki are all a bit... territorial of Shuichi, not too eager for sharing. Miu's crass, lewd suggestions of orgies do not help. (人◕ω◕) But Shuichi has them all sit down and talk about it, as they've done before. Shuichi can admit to loving Tenko as well, but doesn't want to press forward if anyone's truly against the relationship. He's aware of the struggles they've had with getting the harem to work as it is, but adding Tenko...?

Well, no one can really, truly object. Tenko has matured a lot. They all have. (人◕ω◕) ... Though Kirumi will still be watching like a hawk, as will Maki. Kaede does her best to play peacemaker. ... Miu makes things horny and difficult. (人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕) Tenko vibes with Kaede the best, and can get along with Kirumi... Maki and Miu, she'd rather not deal with, but Tenko keeps up her positive, upbeat energy. ... Even if she wants to practice her Neo-Aikido on them. (人◕ω◕)

It's not a perfect life. But they're making the most of it~

Part 1 (Kaede): https://www.tumblr.com/pyropsychiccollector/743632006552993792/shuichi-harem-saihara-detective-agency-15?source=share