The most requested, long awaited post is finally here. Batchim. Godâs gift and curse to all Korean learners. Even the word itself is a perfect example of how complicated Batchim (ë°ìčš) is to foreigners / Korean Second Language (KSL) learners. For those that donât know, Batchim is the bottom or lower position in a Korean syllable. I will show you the final consonants to understanding and pronouncing Batchim â along with some tips and tricks!
I love when Ciel is forced to be a normal functioning person. Like when heâs undercover in the circus and has to bunk with Doll. Heâs just a normal 13 year old (allegedly) and so has to act like one.
I especially love when you can TELL heâs fighting himself over it. Heâs dying inside because he has to keep smiling at people when all he wants to do is tell them to fuck off.
Some people seem surprised that Chuuya managed to fool Fyodor about being a vampire for less than 30 minutes, but you gotta remember that when he and Dazai first met, Chuuya succesfully hid that he was Arahabaki for two or three days, all while Dazai was specifically investigating Arahabaki.
Chuuya has always been an extremely good liar, and he is kryptonite to people like Fyodor or Dazai (or at least Fifteen's Dazai, he learned from that experience) because he looks brash and impulsive and ""simple"", but actually Chuuya has been lying about who he is for most of his life, and nobody knows how to be a mindless monster better than him.
A new Black Butler anime was just announced at the Crunchyroll panel at Anime Expo today. Announcing for a 2024 release produced by Cloverworks. Who is excited?! (Oh, btw it's a continuation after the Book of Atlantic, which premiered in theaters back in 2017)
Over the course of two seasons and a movie, we have witnessed My Beautiful Man/Utsukushii Kare's Hira and Kiyoi be the most dedicated color-coded boys in love.
Hira is a Blue Boy. He is stable and sincere.
But above all else, he is loyal to his idol, Kiyoi. Obsessively so.
Because even though all of the world sees Kiyoi as an arrogant, sophisticated, and secretive Black Brooder
Hira sees him as a Heavenly Human.
To him, Kiyoi is a god who should be worshiped, so Hira always lowers himself as he believes he could never be equal to such an ethereal being.
But what Hira misses is that Kiyoi is not a god in all white, but a man devoid of color and love.
Hira worships Kiyoi, but Kiyoi just wants Hira to love him, not as a god, but as a man.
So when Hira finally shows Kiyoi that he not only worships him, but loves him, he finally gives Kiyoi some of his color.
And Kiyoi quickly picks it up since all he has ever wanted is for Hira to love him.
Because as much as Hira openly admires Kiyoi, Kiyoi loves Hira immensely more.
Kiyoi's entire world is Hira, and without him, Kiyoi's world would be colorless.
Which is why Kiyoi demands that Hira sees them as equals.
He knows Hira would never cross a line with him, so Kiyoi always crosses the line first, but it's to lift Hira up and make him understand that they both love each other and are both worthy of this love.
Because when this all began, Hira wouldn't even look Kiyoi in the eyes.
But slowly, Kiyoi continued lifting Hira up.
Until finally, Hira rose on his own to meet Kiyoi where he was instead of admiring him at a distance from below.
So even though on the outside, Kiyoi comes across as dark and guarded
When it comes to Hira, the Blue Boy who gave his world color,
Kiyoi really is heaven sent.
Hira gives Kiyoi the support and love he needs. Hira gives Kiyoi color.
And as a result, Kiyoi gives Hira confidence and purpose. Kiyoi gives Hira's life meaning.
Although Hira would gladly give up his life for Kiyoi,
Kiyoi would never let that happen because he needs Hira by his side just as much as his Blue Boy needs him.
At the core of their relationship is a Blue Boy whose love for Kiyoi is deeply rooted and firmly planted in his heart.
And a Heavenly Human whose love changed him from a boy devoid of love into a man with a devoted partner.
Even if Kiyoi has to be the one to cross the line first
Hira will always follow him without question.
Because they would be adrift without the other. They are equal in life and in love. They are both beautiful men whose world is made brighter by the love they have for each other.
Their love is eternal and not even the heavens could contain it.
I just wanted to share short story from Interlude for anybody who is interested. Itâs a hillarious story between our king of comedian Hira the creepy boyfriend and also Fushin-kun (mr. Suspicious) and Kiyoiâs Top Otaku, the elite fansđ
Hiraâs POV
In the middle of overwhelming activities as a university student and Noguchi-sanâs assistant, at last I could participate in the event today. It was a stage play in a small theater which Kiyoi did as a hobby instead of jobs. In the theaterâs website there wasn't either any news credited to Kiyoiâs name nor information on what day he performed.Â
However, as his boyfriend I knew it. A boyfriend...
I always stumbled in this part. Kiyoi and I were boyfriends. My heart screamed whenever I questioned whether it was a good thing. While still feeling conflicted about it at the backstage door, there was a crowd of women coming from the other side. They had such a strong presence.They were TO.
ă
There were a lot of fans following after celebrities. Among them, there were elite fans who reigned at the top. Even if they had different names depending on whether they were underground idols, Sonnyâs (A pun for Johnnyâsđ), actors,etc, but they were all hardcore fans who supported them by devoting their lives to their bias, and even sometimes managed fanclub business through the agency, and propagandized their bias activities widely. That was Top Otaku, or TO for short.
ăă
At the very front of Kiyoi Souâs TO group who were walking, there was an infamous one among other fandoms, Pan-neesan (Sis Pan). She was about late 20s, and her name wasnât because she liked bread (Pan) but because she threw a punch (Pan-chi) on a womanâs stomach and took her down since she purposely took the same train and took Kiyoiâs private photo secretly... Was sheTyson?
Taking the same train with bias, or staying at the same hotel with their bias when they had shooting at a far location and waiting for them at the lobby were strictly prohibited. Being moderate was important when following after their bias. Such a thing as taking a picture of their private life was already out of the question.Â
At the line behind Pan-neesan there were Kanbu (the Executives). They were a behind-the-scenes working unit who organized Kiyoiâs private fanclub nationally whose popularity was on the rise. At the end of the line there were beautiful okini. Okini refers to fans who were liked by their bias but since Kiyoi was gay and not interested in women, they werenât okini substantially. Well, you could regard them as haku (the beauties).
For me who was at the lowest tier of class and being stepped on when I was in high school, they were a group I didnât want to get close to. However, since TO got close to the agency, they often would be informed of Kiyoiâs top secret activitiesâ schedule and wouldnât shared it openly. When I tried to sneak into another corner, someone stopped me.
âHey, you!â
When I looked back in fear, there were Kanbu folding their arms.
âW-W-W-Wh-Whatâs wrong?â
When I started to stutter, Kanbu frowned while feeling creeped out. The flashbacks of my elementary, junior, and high school reminded me again about those contempt stares which I had forgotten recently.
âWeâd like to ask you something.â
âW-W-W-What is it?â
âWe know that you are one of the senior fans, but where do you know about this information today? We didnât share about Kiyoiâs performance outside his agency and among us. Since there has been an increasing number of fans who violate the rule by stalking him, martial law was set even among people who are with the theater this time.â
âB-ButâŠ.Th-ThatâŠâ
âEven though we seldom see you now, isnât it strange that you could participate in such a top-secret event by chance? Where did you get the information? Or did you do something sneaky?
âNoâŠIâŠIâŠI am Kiyoiâs friend.â
âBut you don't seem to have any personal relationship with him though.â
Youâre totally right. I also feel like that.
âIf you are acquainted with him, then why do you stalk him?â
That was the same question if you ask why humans breathe.
âYou know, you are called Fushin-kun (Mr. Suspicious) by his agency.â
I see. What an understandable nickname.
âYou are totally suspicious with your hat, sunglasses, and mask which you always wear. We despise someone like you because people will think how lowly Kiyoiâs fans are.â
Such lowly Kiyoiâs fans?! I missed that point. Oh my goodness. I made Kiyoi in trouble just by existing. Then I should disappear. But not being able to pursue Kiyoi was the same as having my reason to live stolen.
âSay something.â
Suddenly their faces came close, making me step back. At that moment my bag fell and a lot of Kiyoiâs photos were thrown out which shocked TO.
ă
ââŠ.Wait, what is it?â
I had recently been learning film photography. I was used to taking pictures with a digital camera like analog photography but actually film photography would be different when I compared them with the one I had taken. Depending on the developing techniques, the difference would be clearly noticed even though what I had taken was the same. I could only think about Kiyoi if I wanted to develop new techniques by taking my most desirable photos and of course I had Kiyoiâs consent, but with this situation, they would look like candid photos.
âOh, my, what an interesting sight to see.â
From behind Kanbu who lifted their eyes, Pan-neesan came out quietly. This was awful. She would throw a punch on my stomach. But even though my mouth would be covered in vomit, I couldnât tell my relationship with Kiyoi.
âThatâs as expected. Sorry to say, but you are forbidden to attend Kiyoi-kunâs events from now on. Iâll report it to his agency and you will be on their black list. Even if you get the event ticket, if you are sighted weâll report the agency through our fanclub. You will return to being a fan who can only enjoy watching him on TV, magazines, or sites.â
My hope to live has been cut off, and I was falling on my knees. Of course I could meet Kiyoi when I went home. That would be me as his boyfriend. It was a bliss which was similar to a mortal sin. But not being able to meet Kiyoi Sou as an actor in real life âŠ.
âAh, Kiyoi-kun is coming!â
TO was getting so excited. When I lifted my face up, I could see Kiyoi walking into my way. The king aura which couldnât be hidden under his casual clothes and sunglasses. Kiyoi would always keep shining in every time.
âKiyoi-kun, thanks for your hard work.â
âGood luck for your stage play.âă
Kiyoi nodded his head to TO who greeted him and suddenly he stopped. He looked at me, who kneeled on the ground and was surrounded by TO.
âWhat is that?â
Responding to Kiyoiâs question, TO immediately started to expand their visibility.
âWe are sorry to show you such an unpleasant thing. Heâs the troublesome fan.â
ă
âTroublesome?â
Kiyoi took off his sunglasses and squinted. He coldly looked down at me, who was kneeling down. His eyes, which looked at me like a pest, made my whole body shiver. With his standing out beauty, an insect like me wouldnât be significant for his Kiyoiâs solitude beauty.
âWhatâs wrong, Kiyoi-kun?â
Kiyoiâs agency President and Manager came after him from behind. Whether it was private or business, they took a great care of Kiyoi, who would seem like their next profitable asset after Anna.
âHuh? HiraâŠ..Fushin-kun?â Huh? What situation is this?â
They were surprised and looked at both Kiyoi and me. AhâŠ..I gave the agency trouble. Not to mention it was in front of Kiyoiâs precious stage play.
I have to kill myself.
ââââââ
Kiyoiâs POV
ă
When I was going to the dressing room to go to the stage which I hadnât been to for a while, my boyfriend was kneeling down in front of the backstage door and surrounded by my fans. What was happening? What kind of situation was it?
âPresident, heâs taken candid photos. Please ban him right now.â
When we asked for proof, one of TO showed us the photos. They were photos taken by Hira at our home. When I stared down at Hira who was in silence and was about to ask him why it became like this, he narrowed his eyes as if he was dazzled. The hell being that carefree fascinated in this pinched situation, huh. Such an annoying creep.
With such a large amount of them, shouldnât we report it to the police?
âButâŠ.isnât it too early to do that?â
âY-Yeah, he must have some kind of reasons behind it.â
President and Manager who had known that Hira was my boyfriend vaguely muttered.
âWhy could you say it so carelessly? Itâs obviously violating the rules.â
âStalking has been a violation already, moreover taking candid photos!â
All TO got very angry, but the leader was waiting for the President to decide. Until the decision had been finalized, commotion wasnât necessary. That was right. As expected of the leader of top fans who has such an amazing personality.
âYes, I know. Then...Pan-chan and boy over there, would you come in?â
She nodded, answering what the President asked her, taking Hiraâs arm and making him stand. While TOs watching over, President, Manager, the woman, Hira, and I came in to the backstage door. While greeting people who passed by, the President came into the unused room.
âPan-chan, itâs totally a misunderstanding.â
The President properly locked the door and came in front of her.
âWhatâs the meaning behind it ? There are a large amount of private photos but that man said he is Kiyoi-kunâs friend. Isnât it too contradictory as a friend to be his senior fan and so obsessive like that?â
âYes, heâs weird, right? We want to know the reason as well.â
The President and Manager agreed with her while nodding their heads several times. I wanted to know that too, but only this King of Annoying Creep himself knew the reason.
âKiyoi-kun, is he really your friend?â
When she asked with a little hesitation, I squinted. âWhat?â
What friend? He is my man. We are a perfect couple who are in cohabitation now.Â
But it was so painful to not be able to say it. When I looked closely at Hira, he seemed to have no clues either and just opened his eyes wide and stood still. What a creep.
âKiyoi-kun, he is your friend, right? Right?â ,the President showed such a pressure aura to make me agree with him. However, why couldnât I say that my boyfriend was my boyfriend? Just being a sexual minority and celebrity on a daily basis had already made me suffer enough.
âWell, to say more generally, I wonât deny that he is one kind of my friend.â
When I thought this was the limit I could say, she raised her eyebrows. She stared at me and cautiously turned her way to Hira who stood still and didnât move an inch. Her face turned pale.
ă
âNo wayâŠ..You twoâŠ.â
She then looked at the President. As a top leader of TO, she must have known that I was gay. She had selected TOâs bottom line, okini as a fake. Sometimes she let cute girls into the official guest seat to avoid trouble.
âNo wayâŠ..Kiyoi-kunâs boyfriend should have beenâŠ.moreâŠâ
Manager who saw her with a face turned pale, hurriedly held up her.
âPan-chan, get a hold of yourself.â
ââŠB-But, why is Kiyoi-kunâs boyfriend s-someone like thatâŠ.â
I understood so well the awfulness that her heart could break and made her in tears. I wondered to myself why I went out with someone like him. This was such a mystery. I actually felt irritated before but now after making my fan get so shocked made me feel guilty.
âHeyâŠâ
When I called her out, she was surprised and looked up. Because of tears, her mascara got peeled off and made her look like Nancy Spungen. How pitiful. But everybody who was involved with him would meet misery without exception. Classmates who bullied him at high school, Noguchi who took interest in him, and me, his boyfriend. Be it evil or good people, unreasonably, a glass called âannoying creepâ would hurt everything it touched. That was Hira.
âI am sorry for bringing you trouble, but please take care of it.â
After I said that, she opened her eyes wide as if her eyeballs were about to spill out. Her mouth flapped like a goldfish and she turned beet red up until her neck and let her tears spill slowly.
âI understood. We will be absolutely protecting your secret. From now on weâll keep supporting you with all our might. As your fans, Kiyoi-kunâs happiness is our happiness as well. We will also be protecting your boyfriendâŠâ
With her teary smile, she turned her way to Hira, and was at a loss for words. âK-Kiyoi-kun, weâll get over any kind of penance for you.â She started to break in tears again and made me feel itch which couldnât be worse than this.Â
I felt like Iâve done awful thing at that moment, but nopeâŠIf he properly did it right, he was awfully cool, a model girl even flirted him when he made such a handsome appearance in a party where I made him accompany me, my president who had professional experience seeing through hidden talents in people even almost scouted him, moreover not only about his appearance, Noguchi Hiromi found his talent in photography and was so eagerly supporting him as a prospective creator in the future. But unfortunately he couldnât. I knew better than anyone how creepy Hira was despite his own merit.
âSince itâs been resolved, Kiyoi-kun, letâs go to the dressing room now.â
President pushed my back, who was in a gloomy mood, and pushed Hira and TOâs back, who was in tears because knowing that her bias had the lowest boyfriend in history and said, âWell, Pan-neesan, please take care of this.â As expected of a person who had a long history of experiences with how rough the entertainment industry could be. Behind his gentleman appearance, the President was a demon.
ă
After that, as expected the ban for Hira attending Kiyoiâs events had been lifted. Moreover, whenever they met in an event, TOâs top leader Pan-neesan lowered her head and gave way without words, and in the middle of intense pursuit, he was seated in an official super VIP line. However nobody knew the reason behind Pan-neesanâs attitude, and the rumor was spread that he was the President's lover, or sponsorâs son, and nicknamed âKimo-denkaâ (Creepy Highness) behind his back. For the time being, Hiraâs hope to live wasn't stolen, but Kiyoi, President, and Pan-Neesanâs suffering was going deeper.
