gil's route permanently altered my brain chemistry

I remember one of my old JPese teachers used to let us play this game all the time so we could remember hiragana, katakana and kanji better at the beginning of our course. It's been so long that I completely forgot about it. Also, I didn't know it was the same thing. I thought she just used marbles because they were fun and easier to carry around.

Also, the origami cube thingy is called a water bomb (水風船 aka mizufusen), and it holds a very special place in Japanese culture. The shape of the origami water bomb mimics the colorful, water filled balloons used in the famous balloon fishing game at traditional Japanese summer festivals.

So I suppose Haku, Subaru and MC were playing those games together. Zenji can't really touch them, or at least I assume he can't touch them all the time, so I like to believe he was the one who suggested these games.

Most of them are traditional folk games, so I can imagine Jiro and Zenji playing them a lot when they were younger, especially when there weren't many sources of entertainment around them.

As for Haku, he has a brother, and based on one of his lines in Deadly in Love, it's vague but enough for me to think that his shrine is located in a fairly remote area, or at least somewhere surrounded by mountains and forests. He mentions that there were a lot of wild animals there. Because of that, it's also likely that he played these folk games a lot with his brother or the other children nearby. I also imagine there wasn't much entertainment available there either.

Also, in his Warding card, we can see some kind of souvenir item on the shelf. It looks like a towel, blanket, or scarf. I assume it's a towel because onsens sell souvenir towels all the time, and most places print their logo or mascot on them. This one is obviously a mascot, the same one as the plushie Subaru is holding in the background.

I assume it's some type of folklore or mythical creature because it has the body shape of a fish and the head of what looks like a Shiba Inu. But I did some research and couldn't find anything that matches it except for the Shachihoko, a mythical creature with the body of a fish and the head of a tiger. You can see those on temples and shrines as well.

And based on some of the characters' onsen cards, we can tell that they visited different locations across Japan.

For example, Alan appears to be visiting an onsen somewhere much colder, with snow covering the surroundings. I assume it could be somewhere around Akita or Hokkaido.

One famous area in that region is Nyuto Onsen. Nyuto Onsen has a history spanning more than 300 years. Its oldest ryokan, Tsurunoyu, was said to have served samurai during the Edo period. It was also a popular retreat for many local lords.

The area is also known for attractions such as Lake Tazawa and Mount Komagatake, which offer plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and hiking. I can imagine Vagastrom, or at least Alan, loving this area. The combination of nature and outdoor activities feels very fitting for him.

And in Taiga and Romeo's card, we can see some flowers visible in the background. I did a quick search, and they seem to be Japanese wax plum and plum blossoms. These flowers can grow in a wide range of climates, from colder regions to relatively warm ones, so it's hard to pinpoint the exact location based on them alone. That said, I assume it's somewhere less cold than the onsen Alan visited.

One place that came to mind is Atami in Shizuoka, which is quite famous for its plum blossoms. The Atami Plum Garden is one of the area's most popular attractions, and of course, Atami is also known for its onsen.

The history of Atami's hot springs goes back over a thousand years. During the Edo period, it became a favored retreat among nobles and samurai. Even Tokugawa Ieyasu was said to have enjoyed the hot springs there.

If hot springs aren't enough, the area also has beaches and seaside views, which makes it a pretty versatile vacation destination. It's also not too far from Tokyo, making it much easier to visit compared to some of the more remote onsen towns.

I can totally imagine Romeo being the one who planned the trip. He seems much more likely to suggest a vacation than Taiga. And if Romeo were choosing the destination, he'd probably pick somewhere elegant and beautiful, with plenty of flowers to admire. An onsen combined with a traditional garden feels exactly like the kind of place he'd enjoy.

Plus, it's close enough to Tokyo that he wouldn't have to worry about Taiga wandering off into the wilderness or accidentally disappearing somewhere 🐾👀

Frostheim clearly visited somewhere much warmer than Vagastrom and Sinostra. You can see a beach in Jin's card, and in Tohma's card it's literally bright and sunny outside.

My guess is that after spending so much time in snowy winter weather, they just wanted a change of scenery and decided to visit somewhere warmer. One place that comes to mind is Shirahama Onsen in Wakayama, which is known for its mild climate throughout the year.

This place was loved by nobles and members of the imperial court during Nara and Heian periods. In historical records, it was even described as one of Japan's three ancient hot spring paradises, alongside Arima Onsen and Dogo Onsen.

The area is also famous for its sightseeing spots. There's Shirahama Beach, the Senjojiki rock formations, the Sandanbeki cliffs and the moon shaped Engetsu Island.

I can imagine Jin loving a place like this. It has the perfect balance of luxury, beautiful scenery, and things to do. I can also absolutely picture Lucas getting invited into a random beach volleyball match if he and Kaito ever wandered down to the coastline.

There's another location I think they could have visited as well, but the summers there are usually described as humid rather than comfortably warm year-round like Shirahama.

Hotarubi is probably the most predictable one because we can clearly see Japanese maple leaves, also known as momiji, in Subaru's card (he looks so pretty, as always)

For maple leaves to turn that vibrant red color, they need proper autumn conditions, especially cooler temperatures and relatively dry weather. And considering our Hotarubi boys have to live in that rainy place year-round, it's easy to imagine them wanting to spend their vacation somewhere with less rain and humidity for a change.

I'd say they would probably enjoy Arima Onsen, one of the ancient hot springs I mentioned earlier. Located in Kobe, Hyogo, it's famous for its traditional atmosphere and old town streets.

The area is perfect for leisurely walks, with attractions like Yumotozaka Street, Onsen-ji Temple, Tosen Shrine, and the Arima Toy Museum (explain why they have so may old games in Haku cards). Visitors can also try local specialties such as tansan senbei, rice crackers made with carbonated mineral water, and Arima Cider.

Subaru must love this place. He seems like the type who enjoys sweets, especially regional snacks and souvenir treats, so I can absolutely see him buying way too many boxes to bring home.

The second place I think they would enjoy is Kinugawa Onsen in Tochigi.

The main reason is that it has attractions like Tobu World Square and Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura. I can picture Zenji and Subaru getting really excited about places like that. Both of them seem like the type who would happily spend an entire day exploring themed attractions and trying every activity available.

There are also ropeway rides and river cruises, which feel like the kind of relaxing sightseeing activities the group would enjoy together.

Obscuary is a bit trickier, but thanks to Ed and his digital footprint, I was able to come up with a few ideas.

First, in their Warding card, they seem to be outside in daytime. The weather looks fairly pleasant, but honestly, it could be almost any season as long as it isn't winter or particularly cold.

For now, I'm just going to assume they're somewhere warmer than wherever Vagastrom and Sinostra went.

Also, in Ed's card, he has a magazine titled "Tokyo Tourism" which makes me think they didn't travel too far from Tokyo. Considering the nature of their House, that would make sense. They probably aren't allowed to wander too far away.

There's also a box of sweets next to Ed, which I assume is onsen manju. It's one of the most common sweets sold at hot spring resorts, so there isn't much to identify from it location wise. But it did make me think about something.

Doesn't Ed mention that human food doesn't really taste the same to him? Yet he still eats it.

Onsen manju are traditional Japanese steamed buns filled with sweet red bean paste (azuki). I love red bean paste too, so now I'm wondering if that's one of the few human foods Ed can actually enjoy.

I did a little research and found something interesting.

Red bean paste or anko, is made from azuki beans, which are naturally rich in iron. Human blood has a distinct metallic taste because of the iron found in hemoglobin. For a vampire whose senses are particularly attuned to iron, the earthy and mineral-rich flavor profile of red bean paste might register more strongly than other foods, allowing him to actually taste it.

Ohhhhh. Interesting

I also think that if human food generally tastes bland to vampires, it would probably take an unusually strong flavor profile to get any kind of reaction from them.

Traditional onsen manju fillings are packed with sugar, creating a very dense sweetness. Maybe that intense sweetness is strong enough to cut through his dulled sense of taste and give him an actual burst of flavor.

Ayayaya. Maybe he and Elias can be sweet-snack buddies or something I don't know.

As for possible locations, the first place that came to mind was Hakone.

It's only about 1 to 1.5 hours from Tokyo and is located in Kanagawa, near the Mount Fuji area. It's one of the most classic and obvious onsen destinations.

Hakone has Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, the Hakone Open-Air Museum, and the ropeway. It's also close to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, so there are plenty of sightseeing options without needing to travel very far from Tokyo.

The second place I thought of was Ikaho Onsen in Gunma, which is about 2 to 3 hours from Tokyo.

Ikaho is famous for its historic stone stairway town and its Yunohana manju shop. Since Ed seems to have onsen manju sitting right next to him in the card, I immediately thought of Ikaho because the area is practically link with that sweet.

Between the two, Hakone feels more likely because of its proximity to Tokyo and the amount of tourist attractions packed into one area. 

Either way, Obscuary gives me the impression of choosing somewhere relatively close, easy to supervise, and full of quiet sightseeing spots rather than venturing deep into remote mountain regions.

As for Mortkranken, I think we have a few clues to work with as well.

In Jiro's card, there are maple leaves visible in the background. In the Warding card, he seems to be holding some kind of catalogue or guidebook used to identify different species of insects and where they can be found. Catalogues like that are commonly used for summer observation activities, so I assume they're somewhere warm and dry enough for insect watching.

One location that came to mind is Shuzenji Onsen in Shizuoka.

Shuzenji is often called "Little Kyoto" because of its traditional atmosphere, and considering how famous Kyoto is for nature walks and seasonal wildlife observation, it feels like a fitting match. The hot spring town has a history spanning more than 1,200 years and is said to have been established during the early Heian period.

The area is also known for its rich biodiversity, with plenty of birds, butterflies, and other insects that would probably catch Jiro's interest.

There are several sightseeing spots as well, including Shuzenji Temple, the Chikurin Bamboo Forest, and nearby cultural parks that recreate both traditional Japanese and Western style architecture.

The region is also famous for its fresh wasabi and traditional kaiseki cuisine, which feels like the kind of thing Mortkranken would appreciate. Well, maybe not Jiro specifically, unless you feed him.

As for Jabberwock, there's not enough context for me to figure it out. We only know that Ren got steamed from staying in the onsen too long, and we know they share a drying room, but most onsen have shared drying rooms anyway.

I assume that, given Jabberwock's financial situation, they'd probably go with a budget option and wouldn't travel too far from Tokyo unless Darkwick funds their trips. So they'd likely stay around the same area as Obscuary.

That’s when you came walking down to give Leo the files he 'urgently' needed, when really, its just a ruse to embarrass Sho further.

Sho sat there, a scowl on his face, long hair extensions attached to his head parted into ponytails, wearing a frilly skirt. “Tch.” He’s in a pretty sour mood. “Get out of the way, honor roll. You’re going to be in the photo.” Leo cut off your shock.

Heading down the stairs, you hand Leo the files he needed. It's hard to take your eyes off Sho when he looked like that. It makes him sigh. “Got something to say, senpai?”

You shook your head. “Nope, not at all.” The flash from Leo’s phone was the least of his problems. It was his reputation going to tatters at you seeing him like this. And his annoyance only grew when you pulled out your phone. “You can’t be serious.”

He can’t hold that glare for too long. At one point he just gives up, sits there, and sucks it up. Once Leo had his fun, he ditched Sho to go do something ‘more productive’...allegedly. This leaves you and Sho together as the flash dies down.

“You really should stop accepting bets from Leo.” “No shit.” Sho huffs, standing up. You trail after him. “So why do you keep doing it?”

“Curious today, aren’t you?”

“What is it about Leo that makes you so agreeable?”

“Thats not it.” Sho replies shortly, taking the hair extensions off.

He heads on over to his room, letting you inside. The door closes behind you with a soft click.

Sho doesn't even take the whole fit off. He only took off the hair extensions because they were a heavy hassle to move with.

He's headed straight to the kitchen. He's already behind his prep schedule. “Make yourself comfortable senpai.”

“Can I watch you cook?”

“No.”

It’s the same routine with him, whatever he's wearing. Slumping down onto the couch, you gaze at his guitar. It's hard not to imagine him singing now, especially with what he wore was reminiscent of that of an idol.

Sho noticed. “What, you want me to give you a concert now too?” He grins teasing, “If you want, I'll sing for you.”

“Really?” The eager expression on your face, makes him huff. A smirk tugs his lips.

“Yeah. Come help me wash the dishes first.”

a/n: Whole Sho Art: here. Integrating writing to my art ᥫ᭡.

This js not like the fear of when you went on your first mission and didn’t know what to expect. This is not anxiety of the uncertain—but rather, fear of the certain.

If you can’t get your hands on that demon arm and ask it to break your curse, you no longer have any hope of survival.

Swallowing back the bile building in the back of your throat, you force your shaking legs to move towards your bed. How many more comfortable night sleeps do you have left in you? How much time do you have left before you can’t return to your normal life or stay with your second one? How long until your entire world is turned upside down, again, and nothing is in your control?

Was it ever?

Before you can peel back the bedsheets and slip under the cold covers (which reminds you far too much of a casket), you hear a tap at your window.

You turn wearily, eyes softening when you see Saburo and a concerned Zenji outside. Making your way over, your unlock and open the window, allowing the two of them to slip past the barrier.

“My dear...are you alright?” Zenji asks softly, ghostly hands clasped in front of him as Saburo makes his way over to the bunny doll you received from Hodge and Podge.

You can't lie to him.

“No,” you shake your head, “I’m not okay.”

Zenji’s expression breaks with what can only be described as empathy, as understanding. He floats for a moment before gesturing for you to sit down, brow drawn tightly.

You make your way back over to your bed and sit down on the sheets, feeling more numb than ever.

“Doll...I came here to ask something of you.” he says gently.

You can’t help it—you giggle. The situation is so absurd, how could you not!

It's not long before you burst into laughter—this is so so absurd!

You’re cursed to turned into an anomaly within the month and you’re being asked favors by a ghost! Your laughter begins to choke as the night creeps in through your window, the new moon, alone in a bouquet of stars, staring at you like...like...

Your laughter turns into sobs, choked wails and heaving breaths, screams that the night swallows up because it doesn’t care, it never did, nobody ever cares what you want, it’s always about fitting into someone else’s schedule, what’s convenient for them—

Ghostly arms encase you in a soft chill. You don’t stop crying, you don’t think you can. Whenever your tears wane you remember everything and the pain is just as fresh as it was before. Zenji says nothing, but he holds you in the only way he can and soothes you the only way he knows how.

“Never utter your wish to that demon arm,” he murmurs when your sobs ease, his face worried and so, so caring.

“Zenji, I—” you choke out, eyes brimming with more, unshed tears.

“Do you remember what you said to me?” he asks softly, a wry smile on his face.

It’s almost self pitying.

But you do.

“May I ask you for a favor, my dear?”

“Zenji, I would do anything for you.”

A quiet whispered confession, one you said with complete seriousness.

Because you would. You’d tear down Darkwick brick by brick, you would shoot yourself off into space and bring him to moon, you would tear out your heart for him with your own hands just so he didn’t have to get his hands dirty.

You’d burn the world for Taro Kirisaki.

And he knows it.

“That’s—” you start laughing again, manic as tears stream down your face, “Oh, Zenji, that’s so unfair—”

“I know,” he soothes, still smiling that self deprecating smile, “But it’s the only thing I could think to ask of you.”

You take deep, shudder breaths as he continues.

“I don’t want you having regrets...in death, as well,” he says kindly, and you feel his ghostly hand mimicking stroking your hair, “You are very precious to me, my dear. If you were hurt in any way by that arm, I’d never forgive myself.”

A beat of silence.

“I’m never going to miss a sign from someone I care about ever again.” he murmurs into the crown of your head, and you swear he’s crying too.

“When I said anything, this isn’t what I meant,” you joke, but it’s weak even to you.

Because you know you’re wrong.

You would do this for him.

That’s why he asked something so hard from you in the first place.

Because he loves you enough to rival your devotion.

He won’t let you ruin yourself as he did.

Because he loves you.

“Please,” he squeezes his arms around you until they’re halfway inside your abdomen, “Promise me, my dear.”

“You don’t play fair,” you sniffle, a sense of finality settling in your bones.

But you say it.

“I won’t. I promise.”

Your eyes drift over to the new moon again, and you feel your last hope slipping away from you.

Because if it’s what Zenji wants, you’ll do it.

''This is your fault Leo.'' Blaming leo through any situation was kind of Naomie's specialty, this time it just so happened that it actually was his fault.

''How was I to know that old door would get stuck?!" Well it's true there was no way for him to know that that door has been faulty for a few weeks now and wouldn't open nor close well.

''I specifically told you not to close it damn it.'' Hence Naomie's insistance on keeping the goddamn door open... And to avoid situations like these.

So for reasons that were nobody's fault (it was Leo's fault) Naomie and Leo had found themselves stuck inside one of the patient's rooms in mortkraken.

''Great just great, and of course this scrappy room doesn't have an signal.'' Sighed leo, finding a place to sit down.

Bla bla bla they fight a little bit sexual tension they get close and...

At some point their faces had gotten so close together she was sure he could almost feel her breath on his lips.

Those stupid kissable lips that wouldn't shut up.

In one swift motion she had closed the remaining distance between them pressing her lips on his, partly to shut him up, and partly because she really wanted to be closer to him.

He didn't even try to pull away, or seemed surprised by her act. He was kissing her back as if he'd been waiting for this ever since he got here.

His hands found their way to her waist bringing her ontop of him, he needed her close, much closer than he'd ever admit.

Her lips were warm and soft to the touch. He could pick up the taste of her lip balm, the same peachy flavor she's had since highschool, her favorite.

Her right hand had found its way to the back of his neck, softly playing with his hair, but still tugging it from time to time to keep him in his place. He'd probably later complain about how she ruined his hairstyle but right now she couldn't care less. Her only thoughts were focused on how good she felt and how good she wanted him to feel, intoxicating him into always wanting more. Completely and helplessly addicted to her lips.

Her other hand was resting dangerously low on his abdomen, playing with the hem of his shirt before sliding her hand underneath it. Her cold fingers were not unfamiliar to him but it still surprised hom everytime they came into contact with his warm skin.

For once that they didn't let their pride take over they calmed down pretty quickly, resuming to a slower pace just enjoying their kisses.

What started out as a messy make out session to shut the other up, ended up with them just softly kissing eachother, which is quite rare for them as usually those two would always ended up in bite marks and angry sex (the only thing they're angry about is how horny the other makes them feel).

Naomie was playing with some loose strands on leo's head, curling them on her fingers knowing damn well his hair couldn't hold a curl,

sighing into the kiss everytime he'd suck a little more on her lips.

Leo's hands were lazily positioned on her ass, squeezing it from time to time. No matter how much he wanted to act like a brat, turn things around and show her who's in control, but just hearing her heart beating so loudly in her chest made him feel so warm and fuzzy inside. That she was actually here, with him, chose him. Her words may be sharp with her heart couldn't lie.