If you're a guy who's never had a girlfriend before, and you're getting a little--okay, maybe more than a little--attracted to a friend... what's the best way to run? Not that I'm saying I should--or not ME, but rather, ANY MAN falling for his friend should run but--basically, should I... tell her? (i tried giving her her favorite drink once, but i think.. i think it creeped her out a little). 🍓
-Just some guy 👓
(P.S., congratulations on the event~ 🎉)
Anime Risa: oh man this is thought my friend. Why would you run away from a girl? Is she chasing you or are you gay? I'd say if you love her, tell her.
Now let me check.
You've been working hard on yourself and now you feel ready for relationship. You should listen to your inner voice and master up some courage. They are good things coming your way and you should think twice before doing something radical. Don't let anyone make decisions for you.
Manga Risa: I have a feeling I know who you are 😒, please don't let the single, tarot obsessed, woman dictate your realitionship for you. Just go to the girl and ask her out already... Ok...
(I know there's a no spamming rule but please allow me to ask a question as myself too hehe--no rush thoo! 😊)
Hi, Miss Adviser!
I like your fashion style! What is your advice on fashion for someone who doesn't really like to stand out so much but loves dressing cutely? (Also, I'm seriously considering dyeing my hair again ahaha 😅 should i go back to purple streaks or try blonde streaks this time?)
Thanks so much, and good luck with your column~
(I would prefer more to hear your thoughts rather than a reading! ^^)
Anime Risa: Hmm, let me see ... I reccomend starting with something simple such as adding accessories such as hair clips, headbands or hairbow, wearing heels and playing with patterns.
When it comes to hair I'd say try different hairstyles such as braids or pigtails.
Also purple omg, like Dark-san 💗💗💗
Manga Risa:
I'd say go with a color that suits your face and actual hair colour. If you have dark brows really light hair color tends to look out of place.
Also DEFINITELY add some bows, watches, bracelets, and necklaces. They made a casual outfit pop.
(I love your style as it is, so if you ever need help, reach out 💗💗💗)
at some point in your life you will be boiling fruit, water, sugar, and lemon juice in a pot to make a syrup or jam. the instructions will tell you to simmer for a certain amt of time. your timer will go off and you will look at the pot and go, "hm, this doesn't look thick enough. maybe i'll let it go for another 10 minutes." this is the devil speaking. it's only so liquid right now because it is at boiling point. it will thicken when it cools down. learn from the follies of my youth and do not let this happen to you
at some point in your life you will be making a sauce or a stew in which you need to add cornstarch to thicken it. and you will prepare a slurry of starch in cold water and think "this looks like way too little starch to thicken this amount of liquid." this is the devil speaking. cornstarch instantly polymerizes at 95°C and if you add too much it will turn into an impossibly thick goop.
at some point in your life you will be making some sort of cream based dessert that requires gelatin to thicken it. and you will soak some gelatin sheets in water and think "this is too few gelatin sheets for this amount of cream." this is the devil speaking. it will thicken in the fridge and if you add too much you will end up with milk jelly
at some point in your life you will be baking cookies. you will take the sheet out after twelve minutes as the recipe instructs and the cookies will still be glistening and soft. "these don't seem cooked enough," you will think to yourself, "i should place them back into the oven until their edges are nice and golden." this is the devil talking. this is how you get dry, overdone cookies. the cookies will continue to bake on the warm sheet for several more minutes and then harden up after sitting on a rack for a while. trust the process. trust the process.
At some point in your life you'll be making congee and the recipe will tell you to cook it for a specific amount of time, and when that timer goes off you'll think "it's far too watery, maybe I should add some corn starch or just let it cook for five or ten minutes longer" but this is the devil speaking. It's that watery now because it's hot. It will firm up a bit when it cools off, and then even more if you put it in the fridge, and even more if you used stock instead of just water. If you cook it too much longer or add a thickener you're gonna be eating rice jello instead of porridge.
Satoshi didn't particularly care about it, but after picking up a white ribbon and spotting the younger Harada running away from the scene, he decided to find her and return it.
Satoshi adjusted his necktie and looked at his reflection in the mirror.
The light reflected off his glasses, but he could still see his own eyes behind them.
He looked tired.
As always, but even more so today.
His anemia hadn't gotten any better, and simply waking up in the morning had already ruined his mood.
He sighed and brushed his hair away from his face. He rarely did that at school—somehow, it always made the girls scream.
Picking up his school bag, Satoshi headed toward school.
Today was Saint White's Day, and the school was holding a special event. Satoshi—without anyone asking for his consent—had somehow been appointed as one of the committee members, which meant he had to wear a white tie to school.
He mainly handled the budget for the event, which meant most of the work was done alone. Occasionally, he had to speak with the leaders of each department regarding expenses, but the communication was minimal, so he didn't mind.
And since he was in charge of the budget, he didn't actually have much to do on the day itself.
He was fully prepared to spend the entire day reading his book.
There were no classes today, and Dark hadn't sent out a notice for tonight.
So, for once, he could enjoy a peaceful day.
Satoshi arrived at the already decorated school.
Everything looked festive, with white decorations adorning the gates and corridors.
As he walked through the entrance, he passed a group of girls who immediately flushed at the sight of him dressed in white.
Their usual uniforms had red accents, so this was probably the first time they had seen Satoshi dressed entirely in white.
He let out a short sigh and continued walking without sparing them a glance.
Satoshi knew what the Saint White event was all about.
Basically, it was Azumano City's version of Christmas Eve.
Instead of celebrating Christmas Eve, the merchants had simply created another marketing scheme in which men gave white ribbons to the person they liked.
Similar to Valentine's Day and White Day, it was just another excuse to make people buy unnecessary things and label them as a special occasion.
Well, at least for Saint White’s Day, it went from men to women.
Otherwise, he'd have to spend the whole day being chased around and rejecting girls from school.
Even if some of them came in different uniforms.
That was precisely why Satoshi dreaded Valentine's Day.
He made his way toward the committee meeting, slowly descending the stairs.
Suddenly, something white caught his eye.
A white ribbon lay abandoned on the floor.
Satoshi bent down and picked it up, glancing around the corridor.
There—
The younger Harada was running at full speed.
Which, admittedly, was still rather slow.
Her white fluffy dress swayed together with her hair as she disappeared down the hallway.
Did she drop it?
Just then, the sound of multiple girls running echoed through the corridor.
“Kyaa! I found Hiwatari-kun!”
And many footsteps followed.
Satoshi sighed.
Without much thought, he slipped the white ribbon into his trouser pocket.
It would be troublesome if they found him carrying a white ribbon.
His expression remained unchanged, but he quickly tried to break through the wall of girls.
He still had a committee meeting to attend.
---
The committee meeting itself was nothing special.
Basically, it consisted of a few words of encouragement from the Student Council President.
So, in other words…
Nothing.
Unfortunately, Satoshi got caught up in a sudden additional budget request from the decoration team.
He spent some time with them, confirming and documenting every detail as thoroughly as possible. After reporting the changes, he was finally dismissed.
Satoshi almost headed back to the classroom to read alone.
Then he remembered the white ribbon in his pocket.
It wasn't that he was annoyed.
He simply wanted to return it to the younger Harada as soon as possible so he wouldn't have to keep carrying it around.
He crossed the schoolyard, only to be stopped by groups of girls every few minutes.
Satoshi almost found it magical how they could locate him no matter where he went.
As he walked through the corridor, he spotted the familiar spiky red-haired Niwa.
“Hiwatari!...kun.” Suddenly, Niwa's body stiffened.
Satoshi knew their situation was complicated, so he hoped the boy would eventually get used to it. Especially at school.
“Have you seen Harada-san?” he asked.
“Which one?”
“The long-haired one.”
“Oh, Risa?”
Satoshi frowned. “Risa?” he repeated.
“Ah! W-Well, I haven't seen Harada-sa—”
With a swift motion, Satoshi grabbed Niwa by the wrist and pinned him against the wall.
“Oww!” the red-haired boy hissed.
Satoshi stared into the red-haired eyes.
They looked normal.
So then…
“How are you walking around school looking like this… Dark?”
He couldn't hide the disgust in his voice when addressing the artwork.
How could he take over the tamer without fully transforming?
“It hurts… Hiwatari-kun.”
The phantom thief was using Niwa's voice, but the words dripped like venom.
And Satoshi immediately realized what he meant.
He released the shorter boy at once.
Niwa ran away at full speed without even looking back.
Satoshi groaned.
“Even in this situation, does the bet still apply?”
How irritating.
The artwork was clearly wreaking havoc.
Satoshi hadn't witnessed it himself, but he was certain.
He could capture Dark right here and now.
But since it was Dark's consciousness using Niwa's appearance, it didn't count.
Just like the bet.
Dammit.
Satoshi loosened his fist and looked in the direction Niwa had fled.
The boy was already long gone.
Not that he intended to chase after him.
He simply couldn't understand what the artwork was thinking.
Or what Niwa was thinking, allowing that artwork to take over his body so casually.
Calming himself, Satoshi resumed his search.
Ten minutes passed.
It would probably be easier to ask around for the younger Harada's whereabouts, but he didn't want to risk getting involved with the girls.
And the boys were always strangely cautious around him as well.
He sighed and made his way toward the schoolyard. He would search there one last time before giving up. He could always return the ribbon during class tomorrow.
His fingers brushed against the white ribbon inside his pocket.
Then another thought occurred to him.
Today was Saint White's Day.
Perhaps the ribbon had been given to her by someone else.
If so, then it might be something important.
And if that were the case, the younger Harada was probably looking for it.
Satoshi didn't look like the type, but he enjoyed observing people.
Especially Niwa.
Watching him pick locks and desperately attempt to lie was strangely entertaining.
Though he was terrible at lying.
As for the younger Harada, Satoshi knew she was popular. She was always surrounded by girls, and every now and then, he would notice boys looking at her with flushed faces.
He had never witnessed it himself, but considering how many confessions he received, he could imagine that the girl had experienced it once or twice.
He sighed.
Perhaps one more round wouldn't hurt.
Just then, he spotted the long-haired brunette running across the schoolyard toward the back of the school.
Again, the younger twin ran rather slowly.
Her short breaths formed white puffs in the cold air.
Satoshi started walking toward her. Then he froze.
“Dark-san!!”
Without thinking, he hid behind the wall and peeked around the corner.
There, Dark stood before the short girl.
He was definitely still wearing Niwa's clothes—
Minus the white necktie.
“Please!! Stay by my side! Don't go anywhere…”
The girl ran toward Dark and hugged him as tightly as she could.
Satoshi couldn't see her face, but he imagined that she was crying. Again.
Dark didn't return the hug, and Satoshi leaned back against the wall. He pulled the white ribbon out of his pocket and looked at it.
He really doesn't understand.
How could people like Dark so much? He was a phantom thief.
He wasn't even human.
He was merely one of the strongest—and one of the most beautiful—artworks his family had ever created.
And all it had ever brought to both families was misfortune.
Even Niwa had inherited the curse.
Seeing the younger Harada run toward Dark and hug him so desperately.
Seeing other people treat Dark as a human—someone worthy of loving—instead of what Satoshi actually knew him to be.
For some reason, it made him angry.
Satoshi closed his eyes for a moment and calmed himself down.
If he let his emotions run wild, that other troublesome artwork might awaken as well.
Now that Dark had shown himself, Satoshi could simply go and capture him.
But why was the younger Harada always standing between them?
And why did that leave an uncomfortable feeling inside him?
After a few moments, he heard Dark's voice, barely above a whisper.
“Sorry, Risa. I have to go.”
Satoshi peeked from the shadows and saw Dark gently holding the girl's shoulders, trying to push her away.
The girl—clearly crying now—sobbed. “No! Why…? Please, stay by my side…”
Dark seemed troubled, but it wasn't because of the girl. Something else appeared to be bothering him.
Then, suddenly, Dark pulled her closer and embraced her tightly.
Satoshi's eyes widened for a moment, but when he looked into those deep purple eyes, he understood.
There was nothing romantic about it.
Dark had always been a playboy. He was merely trying to calm the younger Harada down and create an opening to run away, just like always.
And, just as Satoshi expected, Dark did exactly that.
After Dark disappeared, the younger Harada lowered her head and sniffled again. Snow had begun to fall, and the air was growing colder.
Satoshi wondered why he was still here. It would have been better to follow Dark after he left.
Yet somehow, his feet refused to move.
He could leave. He could approach her. But neither felt right.
Maybe it was something inside him. He simply didn't feel comfortable leaving the girl alone. But it also didn't feel right to approach her and offer comfort.
So he remained hidden behind the building where she couldn't see him.
They stayed like that until the younger Harada finally calmed herself and began walking back toward the school. From the side, Satoshi could see how red her cheeks and eyes had become.
He followed her from a distance, and she soon ran into the girls' restroom.
Only then did Satoshi stop. He let out a quiet sigh and slipped the white ribbon back into his pocket.
Today probably wasn't the right time to return it.
Kei+Rio with "I just wanted to feel loved, I guess." haha thank you again! 😁
“I just wanted to feel loved, I guess. If I had said that was the reason, what would you do?” Rio spoke, looking right at the artwork.
Though she said that, it didn’t seem as though that was the case.
“Oh?” Elm Root looked right back at her. “Though I doubt that’s your real reason.”
“Nothing gets past you, does it?” The woman asked, not at disturbed by its words.
Almost as though she had expected it.
“To me, it seems that you’re more interested in that experiment of yours than the idea of being loved.” It pointed out.
And perhaps, maybe it was right.
It had been three months since the Kokuyoku event.
Risa was now fifteen years old, but she still often wandered outside at night, desperately trying to remember that memory.
No…
Was it a dream?
A dream that felt so real?
She didn't know anymore.
There, she met him. That light blue-haired boy.
He wasn't wearing his glasses, and he stood quietly beneath a street lamp.
Risa stopped for a moment. Just as she decided to turn back, he called out to her.
“Did I disturb your night walk, Harada?”
Risa flinched and slowly turned toward him.
“Hi-Hiwatari-kun…”
Silence settled between them.
After the Kokuyoku event, they'd grown much closer. At least, compared to before. But there was still a wall between them—or perhaps, that was just how Risa felt.
She still didn't understand why he had hugged her that night.
And somehow, whenever she thought about it, she couldn't shake the feeling that his warmth had felt strangely familiar.
Hiwatari remained calm, not a single expression changing on his face. Then he sighed.
“You should go back. It's late, and it's not good for a girl to walk around at night. I'll escort you home.”
“Say, Hiwatari-kun… how's your arm?”
He walked a little closer before stopping. For a few seconds, he looked surprised and averted his eyes.
“Yeah… it's already healed.”
That's not what she meant.
Not physically.
The wound on his arm had healed long ago.
But what about everything else?
“Now that I think about it, you still never told me about your family business.”
Her voice grew stronger, pushing against the walls between them without giving him the chance to hide behind them.
“Harada, I—”
“Hiwatari-kun. What do you know? About that night?”
Again, she didn't let him finish.
She was afraid he would give her some ordinary answer.
Something like his father being in the police department.
It wasn't a dream, right?
“Harada…”
His voice sounded almost pained.
He's changed so much over these past three months.
She guessed Niwa-kun and Saehara had a lot to do with it. And somehow, she had gotten to witness those changes too.
The old Hiwatari-kun would've simply ignored her.
“Harada, are you still—”
He tried to reach for her arm, but she stepped back.
“Yes! I still have nightmares! I can't sleep! It keeps bothering me! Tell me, Hiwatari-kun, was it really just a dream?”
He finally looked at her.
At first, he seemed surprised.
Then his expression changed.
He looked so hurt.
He grabbed her hand. His grip was firm at first, but gradually softened.
“Harada, please…”
His left hand reached toward her face, and very slowly, he touched her now wet cheek.
“I don't want to see you cry.”
Again.
Those words.
He said the same thing that night, didn't he?
“It feels like I'm looking for something… someone. But I've never been able to remember his face, his voice, or even his touch…”
Tears finally spilled down her cheeks.
He gently pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her.
This warmth…
Why did it feel so familiar?
“…Hiwatari-kun, please… tell me.”
She tightened her grip on his shirt.
“Was it a dream?”
His arms around her tightened in response.
She could tell he was fighting something within himself.
His thoughts seemed to be racing, searching for words that could comfort her. But for a long while, he said nothing.
Eventually, she calmed down, and he slowly released her.
His shirt was damp with her tears, though he didn't seem to notice.
“I'll help you remember it.”
Risa blinked.
“I'll help you try and remember it.” His voice was quiet. Almost hesitant. As though he wasn't entirely sure himself.
“But…”
He paused. Then, very gently—
“I don't want to see you cry anymore.”
For a moment, Risa could only stare at him. Under the dim light of the street lamp, Hiwatari-kun looked away.
“…Let's go home.”
And just like that, he started walking.
As though he hadn't just said something that made her chest ache.
Risa walked to his side, and they made their way to her home in silence.
You know what’d be funny. If Yuri found out that Loid and Yor named Franky or someone else as Anya’s guardian in their will if both of them were to pass away. And Yuri blows up like WHAT THE HELL I AM HER UNCLE I SHOULD BE HER GUARDIAN! What you think I can’t take care of a kid? So what if I’m 20? I have a stable high-paying job! I’m mature! I could totally be a single dad! I’d be a better single dad than Loidy ever was!!
..but what if KeiRio with "I don't know what you're expecting of me?" 👀 ehehe.
Pride 2026 – “June of fluffy Feverwhump”
Don’t know what you’re expecting of me
If her eyes shone, it was only due to the spark of tears that had threatened to overwhelm her, that she had fought back with all her mind, in her usual, stubborn way. Despite the recent loss that had troubled her existence, she had never shed a tear in his presence, showing how worthy she was of her ancestors.
Such life was unusual in the gazes she directed towards him, that usually remained in the realm of polite curiosity: if anything, he had troubled the sad calmness of her solitary existence with his unsolicited companionship.
She never inquired about him, his opinions nor his state of mind. Upon meeting her, he had told her enough: her mother gone, his presence had become tolerated again, he would return to his supportive role. Initial resistance overcome, she had let him handle menial matters his way. No question asked, except when he had reorganised the kitchen and “hidden” the tea.
However, Rio Hikari was unlike her predecessors in a very unique, if not disturbing, way.
“I will not paint, Elm Root. You are wasting your time…”
Her cheeks had flushed under despair’s steady pressure, yet lips did not tremble, thankfully. He wouldn’t have known how to deal with… that.
How to bring her to art, however, he knew perfectly well.
“I am not eager to see you painting.”
“Then leave.”
He stared back, cold gaze meeting her troubled one. She was not angry… Only lost. She did not really want him to disappear – he cleaned, and cooked, and organised the extensive collection her parent had left behind, as many tasks she had no energy for, no will to complete. She was trapped with him, like many others before.
“I don’t understand…” she continued in front of his silence. “You’re an artwork, there’s nothing I can bring you; you see it every day.”
Did she really think he was laying there like a vase, waiting to be praised, pampered, admired, cooed at? Now, that was offending. Besides, had this been the case, he would have been destroyed by their curse centuries ago.
Her eyes on him were not what he wanted.
“You will find the way to create an artwork that will belong only to you,” he responded, softening his voice.
With this undefinable uniqueness, her potential was infinite: all she needed was the hint of determination he would nurture in her. He wouldn’t want to miss her creation for anything in the world.
oh wait wait wait, as much as I was rattled by Twilight's self discovery and *cough* blushies *cough*
this is what almost made me tear up:
dang that boy's growin' up. 😭😭😭
ngl, as annoying as he is, that's his older sister AND his only family. and even though he surely knows he's not really losing his sister, he knew that her getting married inevitably changes their dynamic massively.
and him finally accepting that gave a sense of finality to the feeling that things are not ever going to be the same again; the feeling that he had been pushing hard against all this time underneath his weird shenanigans.
if i were him, I'd bawl the moment I'm alone. patpat, boy. you done well. 🥹😭
I'm painting a piece for my brother as a housewarming gift. It's an illustration of Quifry and Coco from Witch Hat Atelier with Art Nouveau elements and we even have a suitable canvas lying around. Anything larger than A4 is sooo out of my comfort zone so I'm feeling a bit like I've bitten off more than I can chew. I've been trying to find references for the border elements and now my next concern is transferring the sketch onto the canvas.
(^^this sketch is like A5 sized. Ignore the swirls, I've gotten good references since then lol)
Anyway I needed a place to put into words how I feel about this project. I feel really passionate about wanting to give my little brother something beautiful for his first apartment, and I'm excited to keep working on it, but at the same time I feel like I'm gonna put myself under a lot of pressure to make sure it comes out the way I imagined it. And when does art ever come out exactly how you want it, ya know?. How have I made art for all my life.
