1, 2, 3! Nagasaki Division! Represent Nagasaki Homies we are Desolate Paradise rollin like a pair of dice- Welcome to the Division! 1, 2, 3! Nagasaki Division! Represent Nagasaki Homies we are Desolate Paradise we’re sure to leave you paralyzed- Welcome to the Division!
Desolate Paradise is the Nagasaki Division representative rap team consisting of high school student Atlas Kazanari, museum tour guide Ax, and their leader, heiress and university student Anaia Mitsuzume. Their designated color is aquamarine.
All members wear a gold coin as part of their ensemble. You can find a gold coin hanging from Atlas' right ear and necklace, while Ax wears his gold coin on his left ear, and Anaia's coin rests on a delicate gold chain around her neck.
The gold chain is a symbol of power, luxury, and financial security. Theirs are thought of as pieces of treasure, as they each hold a valuable share in their collective success as a team.
Their hand sign represents the "heart of the ocean", formed by curving the four fingers and outstretching the thumbs downward, to create half of a "hand-heart". Onstage, they each hold out their half and complete each others' heart.
Nagasaki is a port city known for its century-long trading history with Europeans. Nagasaki contains numerous historic sites and is considered an important tourist centre— its industry is still based upon its large shipyards.
My mother had my birthday outfits chosen in advance for me, designed by the most prestigious couturier in Dubai. Of course, each fit has custom gold jewelry crafted by the best luxury brands available. Blah blah blah…they’re nice.
Thanks, mommy.
I checked the weather app by force of habit. Another rainy day in Nagasaki it seems. Not that I’ll have to endure it. I get to be with my mother while my brothers have to suffer in the hot and wet conditions of my hometown. I’m sure they’ll enjoy having the house to themselves- at least I know Atlas will. Ax will likely be on his boat as he always is.
It just gets kind of boring here alone sometimes. All this fancy-shmancy stuff and no one my age to have fun with. I can’t wait to get back to Nagasaki and celebrate with Ax and Atlas. They know how to make things so much more enjoyable . Atlas is always so energetic and Ax is the complete opposite. Watching the way they interact makes me feel like I’ve been missing something all my life.
Them.
A familiar sound broke through the silence of my room.
Speaking of those two! I lunged for my phone that had begun to play the personalized ringtone I had for Atlas. Looking at their faces on my FaceTime preview immediately made my day.
“AtlAx!!!” I waved and stretched the widest possible grin across my face. I had to convince them that I was having a good time here.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANAIA!” They chanted in unison, although I mostly heard Atlas. Ax did give me a flash of teeth as he attempted what I could only presume was a smile, which was more than I expected. They really have no idea how much their random appearance back home had affected me.
They are literally the brothers I never knew I needed.
My eyes welled up with happiness as I felt their presence through my phone. I thanked them profusely and asked what they had planned while I was gone.
“Ax is gonna be on his boat-per usual” Atlas rolled his eyes and laughed. I could see Ax scowling at him in the background before shaking his head.
“Naia”, Ax sternly said, "I’m not to be held responsible for whatever this bonehead does while I’m working on my boat.” He paused, took a deep breath, and continued, “But I do want you to enjoy your time there with your mom. Let us know if you need anything.”
I could’ve cried from sentiment overload. Ax is usually never this…I don’t even know what to call it- loving? Warm? Whatever it was, I was here for it. But for now, I guess I have to get ready for the day.
It was nice of my mother to join me for breakfast at Pierchic. The crystal clear turquoise waters glistened like the tinsel in my hair. I felt at home near the sea. Experiencing this beauty with my mother felt like a gift in itself. She always seemed so distant, even when we did get to be together. My mother, always dedicated and focused on her career. I wanted to be like her.
As she sat across the table from me, I admired her professional and powerful demeanor as her fingers tapped quickly on her phone screen. She hardly heard me when I tried to get her attention.
“You look nice mom,” I offered. She raised her brows, so I knew she heard me. But she didn’t catch what I actually said.
“What was that?” she asked, still tapping away.
“I said you look nice mom,” I repeated myself a little louder, “I’m happy to be here with you”. I smiled and sank into my chair. She didn’t hear me again.
It’s ok. I guess I should be used to it.
She’s busy, I know she’s doing important things on her phone. I know she has a lot of pressure and must always be available when business is involved.
Even on my birthday.
The waitress brought our drinks, and my mother finally put her phone down. She thanked the waitress and smiled at her with such warmth that I felt a tinge of jealousy. To feel the attention she just gave to a stranger even for such a small moment.
“To my beautiful baby girl” she announced, to my surprise, as she raised her glass. I raised mine in return, and clinked ever so gently against hers. I couldn’t help but to smile as I took a sip of my drink, the “Bellini on the Pier”.
My mother traced the rim of her glass with her forefinger before folding her hands together and looking at me with a strange expression. She seemed worried, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Her eyes were darting across the room, as if she was keeping an eye out for someone. I started to wonder if she was always like this and I just hadn’t noticed. She was definitely acting paranoid now.
“Anaia," she finally said after taking a swig of her whiskey and clearing her throat, “I know it hasn’t been easy having to travel long distances between your father and I. But I wanted you here with me for your twenty-first birthday so you can experience your official welcome to adulthood— under my supervision. Japan is wonderful… but Dubai has so much to offer you, my precious jewel.”
I listened, not wanting to interrupt. This is the most I’ve heard her speak to me at once, and I wanted it to continue.
I nodded in agreement and she proceeded.
“Now that you’re grown, I think you’re old enough to know the truth.”
Atlas stared at the package that had rested on the kitchen table.
Just earlier, he’d gotten word that a package had been placed at his doorstep. However there were no sights of any sender. Only a single packaged wrapped up in gift paper with a print of… was it a cheese print? What kind of joke was this?
Strange, it was. Though Atlas couldn’t help but find it strangely funny.
After tearing through the wrapping paper, taking care to not shred up the cheese print, and opening the lid to the box inside, he was met with an intricate sun catcher made up of clear crystals, gold brass, and aquamarines.
Nestled next to the sun catcher was an open-faced letter addressed to him in perfectly neat calligraphy.
“Hey, there!
So it’s your birthday again! So that means you’re getting another present from me! The Queen, Miku, and I all had a part in making this. The Queen provided materials and made all the metal stuff, I designed it, and Miku put everything together. So it’s apparently called a sun catcher, but I’m sure you knew that already! Just hang it up by your window, so when the sun hits it, it’ll cast and scatter rainbow lights in the room. Hope you enjoy the rest of your birthday and I’ll be seeing you around soon!
— Black Cat of Minato Division”
Atlas walked into the kitchen and noticed an unusually perfect block of cheese on the table. Why does it look so strangely delicious? His nose didn’t pick up any scent as he inched closer to it. Strange indeed. As he approached the mysterious cheese, he noticed that there was a delicate ribbon tied around it.
“Ohhh- it’s not real! Duh!” Atlas laughed, relieved that no one was around to witness him being fooled by wrapping paper.
He proceeded to unwrap the cheesy paper, careful to not tear it.
“I should’ve used scissors so I can say that I ‘cut the cheese’” He laughed to himself, disappointed that his wonderful joke was without an audience.
After opening the lid to the gift box, he was delighted at what was inside. He carefully removed the delicate object. After taking it out of the box, he noticed a note inside that was written in beautiful calligraphy.
“So it’s a sun catcher…” he learned, reading on to find that it was handmade by the famous Queen Card, Miku, and Reiaki of Minato Division. He held the sun catcher up in front of the kitchen window, so that he could see the colors cascade across the room. He stood in awe, admiring the beautiful crystals and the intricate design that was carefully hand-crafted by his three talented friends.
“I think I’m going to keep this here in the kitchen”, Atlas planned. “I know Anaia will also love to see the beautiful crystals and colors dancing all over the place.”
It appears that a gift has arrived for one Atlas Kazanari, eagerly opening the gift revealed to be...
...A black and gold baseball bat with a matching ball.
Along with the gifts came a letter.
'Hey there, kiddo.
A little birdie told me you were into baseball so I hope you don't mind I got you a little something on your special day, take it both as a birthday present and a gift to welcome you and your team into the Division Battles.
Happy Birthday.
- Lola Takahashi.'
Happy Birthday Atlas! 💛
“I got another gift!” Atlas beamed, eager to open it and see what was inside. It felt like it had a good weight to it, so he wondered what it could be.
Upon opening it, he found a matching baseball and baseball bat! Not too many people knew of his love of baseball, or that he had always dreamed of being a professional baseball player. Who knew he would be a rapper instead?
“This so cool!” Atlas cried, throwing the baseball up in the air and catching it in his hands. “Now where did I put my glove…”
Carried along with the fresh air of coastal breeze and the jolly chirps of local seagulls, now the new season has already set in its motion no different from the countless ocean waves that have never ceased to crash on the shore of a famous port city in Japan…
And here we go! Since today was no doubt a very significant date of a certain popular youngest member of Nagasaki’s brand-new rap team, looking like there was some more serendipity came knocking at his door in a form of the mysterious box tidily wrapped in Japanese furoshiki style, beckoning the wonder…
—Oh, just who could it be this time?
Tempted by a whim of curiosity, the birthday boy then started unpacking his present and finally found its contents consisting of the selection of gifts from a certain division in the Kansai region.
First one is a cozy and goofy blanket hoodie that looked just like an IKEA shark readying to accompany your every little shenanigans in your home.
And next were such magnificent resin art keychains featuring a figure of an astonishing sea creature known as “Blue Sea Dragon” —And to think about it, perhaps these were all delicately handmade?!
Nevertheless, how about we moving to the seemingly last gift? It was a paper box loaded with beautiful traditional confectionery called “Nerikiri” customarily themed after his and his team’s color!
There was a tiny letter hidden in the midst of this package which the young lad soon noticed and picked it up for a read;
“To Kazanari-kun of Desolate Paradise
Firstly, Hello and Happy Birthday to you, pirate boy! Are you ready to start another year with a full load of new adventures and unforgettable moments? Nara Division was writing! And I believe this is maybe the first time of our teams’ interaction?
Anyway, congratulations on your team’s debut! From someone who has spent his entire life living in the landlocked city, it must be fun living in such a bustling seaside city I guess ^^
Oh, and as your special day has finally come around, my division has got some little gifts to celebrate with you as well! My friend is the one who made these delectable nerikiris and I hope you do like my Blue Sea Dragon. This is the first time I’ve depicted it in a resin art ;)
Sincerely, we wish you a super nice day!
—Yuuya Kanata,
Nara Division”
Hearing a knock at the door, Atlas jumped to his feet and went to see who it could be. To his surprise, there was no one sight- but there as a brightly colored gift wrapped in traditional japanese furoshiki style.
“Ooh!!” Atlas squealed. He quickly grabbed the gift and looked around before heading back into the house.
He excitedly ran back to the couch he was relaxing on and began to open his beautifully wrapped gift. He pulled out what seemed to be a blanket? No- it was a…a wearable shark blanket!!
“LET’S GOOOO!!!” Atlas shouted enthusiastically.
He didn’t hesitate to put it on and was determined to live in it whenever possible. He immediately started planning on how he could use it for pranks and shenanigans. He clapped his fins together and giggled to himself.
“Wait there’s more?” He asked himself as he reached a fin into the box and pulled out what seemed to be a handmade keychain with tiny little creatures in it. “Hold up- are these blue dragons??Sweet!!”
He quickly reached a fin back into the box to see if there was anything else hiding inside. He carefully carried out a small paper box and opened it. Inside, he found the most adorable nerikiri that were almost too cute to eat. He ate a few of them before noticing a note that lay in the gift box.
“So this is from Yuuya Kanata of Nara Division?”Atlas asked himself aloud. “Thank you Yuuya!”
He smiled and bowed to the box with his fins together and continued to gobble up the rest of his nerikiri like a hungry little shark.
It was now nightfall in Nagasaki and a certain birthday boy had spent the day relaxing and was now mindlessly hanging out in the living room when the doorbell suddenly rang. Pausing what he was doing Atlas got up from where he was comfortably seated, and walked towards the door. After looking through the peephole he opened the door and was greeted by his friend and crush, Kanra Akemi of Edogawa Division.
“Happy Birthday, Atlas-kun!” The pink-haired girl beamed as Atlas welcomed her inside. He spotted a few gifts in her arms, instantly realizing they were for him. Leading her to the living room, Kanra and Atlas settled on the couch while Kanra carefully laid each present on the coffee table in front of them. “Sorry for coming over so late but traffic was terrible on the way here for some reason.”
Picking up the larger of the two presents, Atlas opened it to reveal a “cheese cake” made out of the finest European cheeses Kanra could acquire with various figs and grapes covering it.
“I know you’re not the biggest fan of cake Atlas-kun so I decided to make you a “cheese cake” if you mind the pun,” Kanra giggled. “I think the hardest part was getting the cheese Japan’s selection isn’t the best so I had to ask Yuriko-san to let me order some from Europe. Don’t worry about the price tho! Yuriko-san isn’t exactly short on money.”
Finally, Atlas turned to open the other gift revealing it to be an antique nautical spyglass.
“I know Ax-san has his boat so I thought it would be interesting to be out on the ocean and look around with a spyglass” A faint blush formed on Kanra’s face. “I know it’s not much but I hope you like it. Happy Birthday, Atlas-kun.” Her lips quirked up into a huge smile.
Atlas was relaxing on his favorite spot on the couch when he heard the doorbell ring. He quickly leapt to see who could be visiting at this hour. After checking the peephole, his eyes widened and his heart started racing. Kanra Akemi of Edogawa Division was at the door! He straightened his clothes and did a quick breath check before opening the door. He could hardly contain his excitement when he stood before his crush.
“Kanra!” Atlas shouted, opening his arms to welcome her into them. He realized she couldn’t embrace him because she was holding gifts, which he deduced must be for him. He blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed and yet eager to see what hid behind his dear Kanra’s thoughtful gesture.
He ushered her inside, thanking her for taking the time to come and see him in person. He felt that her presence was a gift in itself, and he could be satisfied with that alone.
She urged him to open his bigger gift first, and he did just that. His eyes widened and his jaw hit the floor, amazed at the tiers of beautifully crafted cakes of cheese, layer upon layer of the finest European cheeses that money could buy. He admired the eloquent garnishments of figs and grapes, with tears welling in his eyes at the sweet consideration of the most beautiful person in the world to him.
“You didn’t have to do this my sweet Kanra”, saying as he struggled to fight back a lump in his throat, “but I’m so happy that you did! I absolutely adore you for being so generous and thoughtful.” He looked at her with warm, heartfelt eyes and smiled.
She nudged him to remind the birthday boy that she had yet another gift for him, to which he nearly burst with tears of joy. His heart swelled in appreciation of his darling Kanra.
“You got me two gifts?” he asked softly, looking at Kanra with puppy dog eyes. She blushed, breaking his gaze and telling him to open it already. He obeyed. Under the wrapping, he found a genuine leather case which beheld an amazingly preserved antique spyglass. He carefully removed it from its case, and extended it, stretching his fingers across its solid gold surface. It was heavier than he expected it to be as he held it up to his right eye. He looked through the glass and pointed it at Kanra, who was laughing at his silly pose.
“Aaargh matey” He said with his best pirate accent, “I found the booty!”
Kanra and Atlas both roared with laughter as he chased her around the couch. When he finally caught her, he held her from behind as their laughter came to a close.
“Thank you so much for these amazing gifts, Kanra my love. I would’ve been satisfied enough to simply unwrap you…”
Out in the city of Nagasaki, the divisions latest team Desolate Paradise was out and about cruising through downtown. Atlas Kazanari, the special birthday boy, managed to notice some bright lights off in the distance and begged his teammates to check it out with him.
Much to his surprise, it was a stage, a large stage with a similar crowd mesmerized by the only idol up onstage — Poltergeist.
After some more bribing, the team managed to catch the whole thing for Atlases enjoyment, continuing to smile from ear to ear even as the team vacated. Feeling a lump in his pocket, Atlases eyes widened to see a note and gift in his hands.
“Kazanari,
“Welcome to the DRB! I heard Nagasaki just received new challengers, so I decided to come here and check things out. You must’ve enjoyed my performance? I didn’t expect a crowd like that to flock over…Well, take this as a welcome gift and a birthday present!”
— Poltergeist/Eko Seishin [Fukuoka Division]
Inside…Was a glowing blue pearl.
After leaving the Poltergeist performance that he happened to stumble upon unexpectedly, Atlas felt lucky to have had been able to catch some entertainment for his birthday. He smiled wide, thinking of how much he enjoyed his life. He put his hands in his pockets, and felt a piece of paper and a smooth, round object.
“What the—“ Atlas muttered to himself, unfolding the paper in his hands. He read it to himself, with his teammates walking ahead of him.
“Omg!” he exclaimed to his band mates, “check this out you guys!”
“What’s that?” Anaia questioned him, watching with curiosity.
Ax looked at him skeptically, waiting to see what Atlas was making a fuss about. Atlas pulled the round object out of his pocket and held a small, blue orb that he and his team stared at with bewilderment.
“So what is it?” Ax asked with a confused tone.
“I don’t really know,” the birthday boy admitted, “but it’s from that rapper Poltergeist we just saw- I’m just trippin on how this got into my pocket!”
The team stood puzzled, each one just as confused as the next. Anaia lifted her brows and looked around, a bit bothered by the feeling that someone was watching them. Ax furrowed his brows and turned around to continue walking.
Atlas sighed, wondering how this Poltergeist guy managed to get this into his pocket without him noticing. He shrugged and smiled, putting the orb back into his pocket.
Ding Dong Happy Valentine’s! It appears that Atlas Kazanari has received not only one but two gifts! Opening them up, the first gift reveals to be...
...A lovely gold and blue ocean wave necklace.
Opening the second gift reveals to be...
...A ship in a bottle.
Along with these presents, there was a card and note inside, the note reads…
Atlas-kun,
Happy Valentine’s Day! I figured you’re kinda busy today but I got you a few gifts! You and your team have an ocean theme going on so that's the direction I went with the gifts hopefully, you like them!
— Kanra
Atlas lay in his bed, holding up the beautiful gold chain that encircled an exquisite diamond-crusted blue wave. He examined every bit of its elaborate design, finding himself in complete awe of his Valentine’s thoughtfulness.
He had never celebrated Valentine’s Day, let alone received a single gift in his life. This delicate reminder of his existence filled him with an energizing warmth that commanded a smile to stretch across his face.
He couldn’t stop looking at it, and couldn’t take his mind off of its sender. Her face was imprinted in his mind, and the sound of her voice permeated every ounce of his being. He wanted her now more than ever before, and decided that this would be the perfect opportunity for him to express the desire he felt for his beautiful Kanra.
“Oh yea-“ he remembered, “I almost forgot about this one” Atlas reached for the second gift he had received from his pink-haired sweetheart, and revealed a meticulously crafted ship-in-a-bottle. His heart swelled with overwhelming emotions that he wasn’t familiar with. He couldn’t wait to show Ax and show off his new treasure.
A Tale of Christmas Miracles Day 1: A HypMic Holiday Shuffle Concert Track 1
01.) Opening Number: Mary Did You Know
Queen Card
"Ladies and gentlemen! I welcome you! Tonight, the theater presents to you: The Queen Card, the card in a deck of cards to avoid taking, for I inflict penalties on the players!”
"First and foremost, I must thank you all for taking time out of your day to gather here for the first day of this year's Christmas Concert!"
"In celebration of the holiday that is so very loved throughout the world… we present to you a Christmas tale! A story and tale told through various hymns and songs reimagined by the esteemed artists I have gathered for you all… Please! Enjoy the rest of tonight's performances and raise your hands in applause for our next performers! And a Merry Christmas Eve!"
02.) Believe In Christmas
Yuuya Kanata “ARROW”
Naoki Hamasaki “Stage Queen”
Kotan Anchikar “Kamuy”
03.) To Smile
Maki Umemoto “Professor Z-3”
Azusa Furukawa “Onna-Musha”
Saigo Fuyugami “Tsukumogami”
04.) Naughty or Nice
Sanyu Inouye “MC Rogue”
Taria Chinen “Misfit”
Sumire Shinomiya “Diabla”
Issey Nishizawa “MC N1K3”
Saya Yoshie “Skye”
Makina Setsukura “Screen Shot”
05.) Christmas EveL
Ryuunosuke Sekiguchi “Fist N Fury”
Rintaro Himura “Ignis”
Eiji Mizoguchi “MC KRATOS”
Ax “Commander”
Masuzo Shinomiya “Malphas”
Tetsuya Yashiro “FЯE4K”
Oki Teagan “ATLAS”
Ryuko Umemoto “Mista Z.B.”
06.) Angels We Have Heard On High
Kira Chinen “Huntress”
Eldrid Iwasaki “Valkyrie”
Tonae Tsukamoto “ABBYS”
Ted Bridges “Teddy”
07.) O Holy Night
Yuriko “Black Dahlia”
Yuki Kuraokami “Ice King”
08.) How Great Our Joy/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (+ Ensemble)
