#syncing ship

+ 1 more comic to go along in the final release of the chapter so please look forward to it!! The comic that is promised!!!

i had drawn the whole thing so i could finangle the crop after so i figured id include it but its like. all the important stuff is in the crop i think so w/e

and an alt composition bc i was conflicted on whether or not the petals broke the balance...

i still donno. in some ways i like the balance of the one i posted more, but in other ways, i think the framing is more effective here...? maybe ill have different feelings when i wake up tomorrow, i've been up a while. worried ill wake up tomorrow and want to change a million things so we're preempting this by just yoloposting now ... tehe

I can't believe we are at the end already?!!! Congrats to you readers, we have finally reached the soft and happy part of the story :> Mainly tying up the loose ends, but also some reflection of how far everyone has come.

I have been constantly impressed by Nobody throughout the whole bang, but how Chapter 19, in particular the scene with Aoko was handled really left me impressed. There's a certain level of balance as always when addressing two ships, especially when we are doing the literal break up in the story itself rather than a backstory. And Nobody... MY GOSH I TEARED UP WHEN KAITO MET AOKO AGAIN!! I LOVE THAT THEY HUG - HOW DESPERATE AND HOW FIERCELY THEY HUGGED!! There's so much emotions and feelings within that 2 lines - and you just remember that they are friends first and foremost, that's more than 8 years of friendship right there - they care for each other regardless of what happened. And then when the breakup happened, it's done so well!! We actually have Kaito feeling hurt, we have Aoko being patient - it's just.. so present and there's just something so painful and sweet about it. Thank you Nobody for addressing their relationship QAQ (and that moment with Nakamori and Jii too)

Chapter 20 was really sweet too!! I love how Nobody included that interaction in the beginning with the Ekoda gang - it's just some cute and slice-of-life like ;w; and you know what's amazing now? Kaito actively facing his actions and challenges. That's what made this chapter amazing to me - Kaito's interactions with Shinichi in a very level-headed manner, where he's a lot more emphatic to Shinichi and KID's actions, and generally more sensitive to things. That's not say that things were glossed over - I'm happy Nobody addressed the hickey scene - the amount of relief and acknowledgement to his emotions was really great - because it is something really serious and deserves to be stated. And really, it's this interaction with Shinichi that enabled Kaito to consider merging - that despite their differences, perhaps their current state is enough to merge. Nobody and I had some discussion on how Shinichi would be convinced to hand over the watch that literally is the last hope to seeing his boyfriend, it just means so much to him and all of us!! Nobody executed it very well - with Kaito putting trust in Shinichi and being honest, to how Kaito (unconsciously!!) holding his hand out like KID (and oh my gosh NOBODY LITERALLY THE NEXT CHAPTER AHHHH), and how Shinichi's quiet words. Honestly, it's a really beautiful chapter QAQ

AND OH MY GOSH THE NEXT CHAPTER - //cues scream - I really like that there was time in between for Kaito to rest and think. I know that we are all very eager for them to merge, but in this story, I really appreciate that Kaito was given time to reflect and consider this very big decision of merging more. The moments with Jii and Ekoda gang really reminded me of Shinichi's, how Kaito too gets to keep the other side of his life even after the "journey" is over - how while some things changed, there are also parts of him that are still the same. And that's absolutely touching!! THEN THE KAITO AND KID SCENE!!! I thought long and hard about what to say about it because there's just so much - but I think I'll leave it to you guys to help praise Nobody lots because it's just amazing. I'll share some of mine though - I love how we actually have Kaito admitting that he doesn't love Shinichi yet, but he's willing to give it a shot and try it out (because we believe in the power of love being strong enough to overcome hardships haha)

And I hope you do notice how KID's the one asking all these questions, because HE'S SCARED!! //screams again// Cause he doesn't want to not exist - he doesn't want to die!!! And it's just beautiful, because the whole time - Kaito has been the one that's scared with KID being the one forced to face it and be strong. BUT THIS TIME IT'S KAITO WHO'S LEADING THEM AND FACING HEAD ON!!! AND WE JUST NEEDED TO DRAW THIS SCENE BECAUSE THE CHARACTER GROWTH!!! (we planned this scene out right at the beginning of the bang btw haha - so know that we were already planning a happy ending as well)

In this short comic - KID is actually dressed down, he's not hiding anything anymore. No top hat and monocle to cover his expressions, no cape to hide his body, no tie or jacket buttoned up. It's just Kaito!! AND OF COURSE NOBODY (my partner not nobody nobody) CAUGHT IT, their outfits this time is a lot more similar to each other to show how they are almost there to merging!! (Kaito is wearing a T-shirt unbuttoned to mimic KID's jacket!!) Another detail that I made sure to have (and encouraged by Nobody to share haha) is that the boxes in the first picture are actually the same - but thanks to the power of posture, KID shrinking on himself makes him appears a lot smaller!! (so pro-tip, actually take up that space!! You're worth it!!)

Nobody was also heavily involved with the scene planning btw - especially that last panel!! We had a lot of discussion on how to pose the hands - from ET style, to that one painting vibes to this handshake, which we decided on because of how it implies how they are now equal, and that they're starting something new - which is just absolutely fitting and beautiful. Thank you so much for being patient Nobody!!! With so much play on colours, we also had the part where the hands are joined as black to show how they are merging!! And the sparkles and shine of light to show the miracle of merging back together!!! (because remember, we have no known case of successful merging!!)

And of course, HOW COULD I EVER FORGET ABOUT ALL THESE FLASHBACKS!!! You see the amount of sacrifices that both parties made for each other - how they both question if this is really right!! You also finally get more of KID's pov that we desperately wanted to but struggled to fit into the story!! JUST SUPER WELL DONE and don't you feel so happy, that they actually made it? (ofc thank you for that Akako scene too haha)

Then the final chapter!! OUR HAPPY ENDING!!! That callback to the second chapter, that forehead touch, and them trying to fit the flowers in but now there's so much that it's overflowing like their love and time with each other now that it's not limited by the watch and how excited they are to just be with each other and AHHHHHHHHHH - we just had to draw this ending card. And for the first time in the story, green and red are finally something that goes well with each other hehe (this is what I meant btw about the colours used in the story - like how the blue and orange also calls back to the drawing on the first chapter)

Fun fact by the way, Nobody finished her first draft within a week after the first check-in - ain't that crazy!! I didn't think that this idea would have sparked so much joy and fun but I am incredibly thankful for it. Nobody's excitement was really infectious and I really REALLY appreciated how she continued supporting me and updating me while she was editing the story. Truth to be told, I don't know much about the edits - to me the story is already amazing haha - but somehow in ways I can't pinpoint at all, it just got even better??!?!? Shoutout to Ephyna, for doing her magic because it's really magic haha. Also let me thank Nobody again for being such an amazing partner I have been blessed with QAQ - THANK YOU NOBODY!!!!

OH BOY honestly there's so much in this 3 chapters I don't really know where to begin. Maybe I'll start with the drawings first

“It came in a kit, just—” he held a finger up to his head miming a gun.

This drawing of Kaito severing himself via a gun was the first one I completed. The moment I read that scene, I had an extremely vivid imagery in my head - so clear that I was able to draw it in one sitting. It's also the drawing that kick started the red and green theme, as it captured the clinical horror of severance so well!! The double of the image, one static and one impacted as implied in the story shows how Kaito is separating himself into two "lives" - one that is able to retain their current state, one that is forced out of it.

I'll touch more on the use of colours later on, but this shift in style from painterly and well- any other not red/green drawings serves to highlight the new knowledge of Kaito being severed for us. It was happy and as one may put, fluffy initially - but now we know, and it is extremely clear to us what a messed up situation the boys are in.

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Anyways, back to the second drawing! Shinichi is delibrately left white here to highlight the guilt and shock he is in, contrasting with the black backgroud. I heavily took inspiration from some horror panels on how they executed that shock factor, but seriously, it's thanks to Nobody's feedback and patience that we did not veer off to the horror and thriller vibes - that would not be fitting lol

The red and green here, with context, serves to remind Shinichi that while KID claims to be giving him all, he really can't. This body is still partly Kaito's (as indicated by the two colours), and that very act Shinichi just did, regardless of how passionate or caught up in the moment they were... he messed up.

I especially want to highlight Kaito's expression here. I know it's hard to spot it, but here's a closeup screenshot of their expressions.

There is the obvious shock expression on Shinichi, but focus on KID's - it's a soft blissful happy smile! He's even blushing dammit!! It was an admittedly awkward position that doesn't show the hickey, but we need that expression. This is the high Kaito was at before it will soon fall - when he thought his love is reciprocated, and they'll actually make it. The contrast between their expression... man I'm just getting myself sad for them again haha

THERE IS A HAPPY ENDING! I repeat, there is a happy ending!! It just gets worse before it gets better that's all :>

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There's so many parts I really loved in this 3 chapters, but I'll only touch on chapter 8 for now because that's the only one without any art.

Until this day, I am still loving the mention of the tranquiliser watch - it just really puts into context how long it has only been and his time as Conan. And right after the reveal about the significance of KIDs watch, doesn't it feel that Shinichis watch is also significant in a way that shows how both lives are merged back together (aided by the presence of both Ran and Haibara - the two people from his time as Conan and Shinichi!!)

And then the world building!! If the previous chapter did not make you realise how much thought Nobody has put into the world building, hopefully this segment would - because the fact that she just so smoothly and naturally explain the difficulty of merging, why it was banned, and the clinical implications?? It's absolutely amazing and really, you start to question how we will be getting that happy ending. (We will, we guarantee you haha)

All amazing points being raised too - we have so far taken only Shinichi's limited POV with KID's side, but hearing from Ran and Haibara from a outside POV of the relationship helps humanise everyone (esp Aoko and Kaito) and their actions - it frankly also cements what a messy and horrible situation everyone is in, such that you can't blame any one person for it (except toichi, but he's dead)

But you know what stood out the most to me though: Ran. Specifically her talking about Kaito and Aoko (as people affected).

"And about his girlfriend,” Ran added, barely audible yet deafeningly loud as it crashed through his mind and shattered his heart.

That part hits me the most, because you know who else was in an unfair situation, somewhat similar to Aoko? RAN!! NOBODY YOU FRWAKING GENIUS

Did the change in POV caught you by surprise? Nobody had planned since the very beginning about the POV switch from Shinichi to Kaito, but that segment with KID was absolutely spot on!! The amount of emotions, the rage and frustration!! The placement of this is very unique in the sense that it builds on from the previous chapter, but it also lends an incongruent feel to the current chapter - highlighting the two sides. One angry, one ignorant.

I think I forgot to mention it to Nobody, but she'll likely be reading this anyways haha - I love that you included this segment, not only because of this contrast, but also even as early as Chapter 11 actually, KID and Kaito are incredibly similar in how they react! This is my insight after rereading it the ???th time btw haha. But isn't that amazing! That every reread, you realise something that Nobody has cleverly done and it just adds on to the story! (Sometimes even flips your interpretation of the scene too because hindsight 20/20)

I feel like I'm giving out spoilers from this - let me try again with less hindsights haha.

I hope when you're reading Kaito's pov, you are already seeing the cracks in the romantic KaiAo relationship. I have to really applaud Nobody - she really did a great job creating a narrative that allows the relationship to naturally fall apart without any bashing. And this is going to be very critical in Kaito's narrative! Just like how Ran is to Shinichi, Aoko is also very important to Kaito as well - regardless of whether she's his girlfriend, or his best friend!

And you know what made me scream in chat the most when Nobody was writing this? THE IRONY - the absolute irony that despite him severing to not have to lie and continue to live a normal life - HE STILL HAD TO LIE IN THE END!!!! It's like no matter what he does, in the end, in canon or in this fic, he still has to lie. It's really sad.

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Let me talk about Chapter 11's art because OH BOY I had a lot of thoughts on this one.

This is the first time we have Kaito and KID interacting directly btw in the story timeline - this is very much a charged scene that I tried to capture in a single drawing. I didn't want to just do a standard side view, as I felt that I wouldn't be able to capture the energy - so we have an angled one here.

Kaito as the narrator is seen here, we know what he is feeling - but KID is hidden away at the back. Why? Because Kaito doesn't feel like he knows KID - I see it as KID being suspicious and dangerous, Kaito can't read nor understand what KID is thinking!! But at the same time, it's because Kaito is disregarding KID's thoughts - which is shown by how Kaito's arm is actually blocking out KID's expression! (and it's the one wearing the watch too *gasp*)

Another interesting consideration was what would KID be wearing during this fight? Especially given that it's from Kaito's POV? I had initially considered KID wearing his signature outfit, as that would be what Kaito would probably think of KID as. But I decided to have them in the same outfit for multiple reasons and interpretations. First was that KID would realistically be in Kaito's clothes - there's no way he's going to be changing outfits haha. Second was to highlight how despite fighting about how different they are and whose body it is, they are still the same person!! The third is actually a slightly horror interpretation in which that Kaito is feeling like KID is stealing his life and body - he is losing control of his own life and body because of KID's existence and action. This interpretation would later be an irony for latet chapter - smth I wont spoil haha. I'll leave it up to you how you want to further interpret this haha - there's a lot of different ways to look at this, but this is how I interpreted while drawing this.

For the background, you have to thank Nobody for having Toichi's picture as it. I was at a loss of what to have as the background when Nobody suggested the revolving door with Toichi on it, splitting them down the middle AND THE IMAGERY AND MEANING OF IT!!! It's just so fitting, given the placement of the drawing right after Kaitos declaration, and the fact that they are sever because of his dad's advice. Toichis action is very much haunting the narrative, and this can be seen by how much he's blend in, probably barely visible! The background colours are a very dark purple as its the middle ground colour.

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Anyways enough about this drawing! We move onto chapter 12 - EKODA GANG WOOOOOOO

I am so blessed to have Nobody write them in - I'm soooooo happy we have them so involved in the story and the amount of support they give to Kaito!!! What stood out to me the most here is actually how they all care so much about Kaito, but he's rejecting their help - maybe you can say that's typical Kaito fashion, but it also highlights the... room for growth. Nobody and I discussed extensively about Kaito's growth in this fic - how the lack of KID as part of Kaitos experience and memory may have led to missed opportunity to mature and grow. Hopefully you can also see the reason why

KaiAo isn't working out here. I love KaiAo, especially when considering how they would overcome all the lies and everything. For me, I believe one of the key things is for Kaito to be actively aware of his actions and accept them, to be accountable for them - not just brush off and deny his faults. I think with Aokos reaction (very wonderfully expressed with Nobody), you can guess how it'd end.

?! This is the second to last release?! Time flies doesn't it - and yet perhaps, one may be wondering how exactly will this happy ending be achieved. Trust us, everyone here will get a happy ending - but not without some reflections.

When chapter 16 was written, I couldn't believe that Nobody actually put Kaito in the cell. She absolutely captured that frantic panic and fear Kaito was feeling and I wanted to try to express the absolutely mind blank that Kaito had in that moment. Hence tadaaa

Honestly, there's not much to highlight about this piece from me. It's messily drawn like someone is just scribbling with a pencil - just to represent Kaitos state of mind. What's more important to highlight is actually the incorporation of red that is seen at the edges of the shadows. Green has so far been established to be Kaitos colours, while red is KID, and this red here serves to symbolise how KID is haunting the narrative here. He's alone with he and himself who he has locked away, without the watch (notice that his left hand doesn't have it!!)

Anyways, lemme ramble about Nakamori because AHHHHH NAKAMORI AND KAITOS INTERACTION!!!! After all the worries and thoughts about Kaito vs KID, its just such sweet relief for Kaito to know someone cares for him!!! And of course right after that mini high, Nobody went ahead and drop the news about Aoko. MAN I LOVE IT!!!. Kaito's internal panicking and helplessness is just so well written - I don't know how else to describe it - it's just devastatingly wonderful. Isn't it so painful, to think that it's your fault that the daughter of the man assuring you is kidnapped, and you can't do anything?

But that's what makes Chapter 17 so sweet! Because Kaito's interactions with Nakamori and Hakuba once again reminded him that he was never truly alone - that there are people who do care about him. For Kaito who seeks approval solely from Aoko, and who feels like he's living under KID's shadow, it really means a lot to him. But I have to say, one touch that I absolutely love in this chapter is Nakamori actually having Kaito sort out and verbalise his relationship plans with Aoko. It's one thing that Nakamori cares about Kaito, but I really love that we so obviously see that he's also thinking a lot for his daughter and prioritising her. Somehow I feel we don't see that much - often Nakamori shows up as someone against KID, or a father figure to Kaito - but he is ultimately Aoko's father first and foremost. That's not to say Nakamori is treating Kaito unkindly - he's not rushing him at all, just letting him sort out how he feels - because it's one thing to think or have a gut, but another thing to really say it out loud.

I also did not expect to have Hakuba admit he cares for both Kaito and KID. It makes the most sense since he interacts with both sides the most. I hope it also gives even more insights to his actions, because let's be real, with his suspicion, he was in a really tight spot. I think it's not often you see Hakuba actually... agreeing or suggesting Akako - often times I feel we have science against magic vibes with the detectives, but I like to think that this friendship is also a lot softer, with Kaito being friends with them due to not having memories of their confrontation - that it drives greater trust within the group.

Hopefully you do feel like we are almost there - because we are!! Chapter 18... I remember reading this and just. Feeling SOOO MUCH about this chapter and the boys. So many things being highlighted here - from their differences in their experience (i.e. processing Toichi's death, using the white space), to how similar they are (like how they both care about Aoko - WE STAN STRONG PLATONIC RELATIONSHIP IN THIS HOUSE). Something that I found very interesting was how Nobody wrote the effect of severance on what actions they would take. In canon, we often have the lone phantom thief or detective saves the day acting alone and all those stuff. But for KID who has to constantly learn and accept that there are things out of his control, and can only plan ahead on utilising others' actions to move plans forward... it's so different that what canon-KID would have done which is to save Aoko himself! The maturity to put aside their pride to maximise Aoko's chance to survive is something I greatly respect Nobody for thinking about it.

“Sorry,” he shrugged, entirely unrepentant. “Wasn’t ready to die just yet.”

But of course, how could I not address the WAY KID WAS READY TO DIE!??!?! I know we had talked about it earlier, about how once KID finds Pandora, he's expected to disappear - but to hear it so bluntly, after all the soft(?) revelations... ALL THE HOPE!!!

But no worries, we ARE going to get that happy ending! WE WILL. We guarantee you that. But... let's leave you wondering how that'd happen haha.

PS: Also I can't fit this paragraph anywhere in this post but I ALSO GREATLY APPRECIATE AKAKO BEING WRITTEN!!! Especially the last paragraph - Akako and Kaito's interaction... SO GOOD THEY CARE SO MUCH!!!

These three chapters has Kaito really going through a lot haha - Nobody and I had multiple really great discussions establishing what was driving Kaito as well as his state of mind in these chapters. I really appreciate her involving me in the discussion about the direction and vibes of the story. Having different ideas then working together to align our thoughts, that's honestly my favourite part of the bang - it's just so fun learning and being in awe at the other's ideas!! Lots of love, appreciation and respect to Nobody for literally rewriting some of the chapters to better fit the directions we were going for. Like, LOTS - so make sure to give Nobody a lot of love and comments as well ye!!!

Okay, onwards to the chapter analysis because Nobody is seriously doing so many great stuff.

Chapter 13 is seriously an amazing chapter, not only for the confrontation with Shinichi, but the undercurrents of Kaito's emotions and state of mind throughout it. Nobody included all these little descriptions into Kaito's narratives that just enriches it so much more - because Kaito is angry right? You see how he reacts in the past few chapters, but to us, anger is actually the secondary emotion - there's always an underlying emotion that is driving it. This chapter serves to... explain his actions for the audience to understand Kaito a little bit more. He's desperate, he feels like he's losing control, he feels violated, and he's also starting to see that his actions are having consequences on other people too, including his "other" self. Kaito is not a bad guy here. No one is a bad guy here. Everyone here is just stuck in an extremely horrible situation here, and Kaito is just trying his best to fix things.

And that's what makes the ending amazing - he had all these anger and big emotions directed at Shinichi and KID, but once he realises that they were also hurting, his emotions loses direction and he's just doesn't know what to do. There's no right answer to this.

Chapter 14 has Kaito reflecting on his situation. Which honestly is timely, as since his appearance till now, Kaito has been operating mainly recklessly - he wants to quickly fix things, and hopefully have things back to normal without thinking too hard about why they got to this way in the first place. His awareness now of how his actions are hurting pushes him to feel even more helpless and lost - and that's ultimately what drives Kaito be take on being KID. There are multiple layers to this action. Kaito is a good person in the end, he knows that he's hurting others, and he's been desperate for a fix - so being able to substitute Jii as KID allows him to help at least one person, intsead of none at all. Being KID for Kaito is also a way to right the wrongs he made, I think he understood that it was because he has been avoiding this (this being KID), that so many things have gone wrong. In addition, even if Kaito is scared, there is a certain amount of envy (hinted in chapter 9 too!) that makes him want to experience being KID just this once.

But boy, remember Chapter 13 when that suit looks simple but is actually complex? Kaito has no idea what he's getting into. And that's basically what Chapter 15 is. The chapter starts with Kaito's feelings about Aoko, how her being there would have stopped him from going through with being KID because Aoko really is an important person to Kaito in this story. We are not just talking about their romantic relationship, but their friendship that is built over a decade - something like this can't be easily discarded. And seriously, NOBODY WTH YOU AMAZING WRITER! Mentioning Aoko's impact on Kaito and then SHOWING UP AND DOING EXACTLY THAT!?!?!? This is story telling at its finest man the way I just audibly gasp the first time I read this.

And remember when I talk about how Kaito has no idea wat he's getting into? Yea, it's this. Man I love how Nobody includes so much well thought details on how the heist would go as a new phantom thief, unlike a seasoned one. Because the amount of morally dubious stuff that Kaito had to do is amazing. I especially love how Nobody wrote about the officer Kaito had to gas - it comes with a realisation that his actions are affecting even people in the peripheral of his contacts. Isn't that crazy the amount of stress there actually is?

One may be wondering why I am posting these updates - well, the answer is simple: This is an amazing story written by the amazing Nobody!!! And while I unfortunately do not have (finished) art for these 3 chapters, it was during this segment that really made me have lots of fun with her!

There's a certain balance that Nobody really put a lot of work into - making KID suspicious enough to lightly light up the red flags, and making him still lovable enough that we don't think he's a jerk. Of course while still making this relationship passionate yet reasonable enough as young hormonal teenagers.

It was here too that I am (still) in awe at how she's able to change the vibes of the story subtly, while still maintaining majority of the points - so well that I can sense it, but I can't even pinpoint what she has changed!!

Now onwards to the story itself - I am absolutely loving the inclusion of Haibara and Ran!!! In fact, I am incredibly thankful that Nobody listened to my request to add them in haha. For me, I really love it when the "supporting" cast gets involved because I strongly believe that it is what shapes who the boys are to be! And it felt right, for a story about their relationship to involve them.

I love how Nobody has written Haibara's and Shinichi's talk in Chapter 4 - it was so well done and so coded, that while we didn't started out with using one of the optional themes for this year's bang - it was just so fitting that we ended up adopting them! (It was also what pushed me to draw the Trash Can POV drawing - because that act just means so much more now!! It's just an omen at that point haha) Another thing that I really appreciate was how Nobody addressed Shinichi's relationship with Ran. It's not only a foreshadow for Chapter 6, but it also succinctly yet not unkindly explains their current state.

What can I say about Chapter 5, except that MAN it's really building up the scene - it drives the plot forward and if you were not feeling ominous then, you should absolutely feel like something bad is about to happen because the amount of hope that Shinichi has, that he was going to prove to Haibara that KID is someone he can be with...