#mw lens

[masamunewaifu]

高山流水，知音

Lofty mountains, flowing waters — kindred spirit

[masamunewaifu]

A single word in one of my favourite moments in Legend of the Willow

Just a small note: As someone who reads Chinese, I found it fascinating that this Japanese scene resonated with me through a shared character. This is simply a language reflection inspired by the story.

Masamune carefully practises Japanese calligraphy:

The Japanese kanji for "Loyalty", 忠 is the same character used in Chinese.

One thing I appreciate about Chinese characters is that many can be appreciated through the meanings of their components.

The character for "loyalty" 忠 combines 中 ("centre" or "middle") above 心 ("heart"). To me, it evokes the image of a heart that remains centred on what it values.

Even as each brushstroke feels like Masamune meditating on the meaning of loyalty, it also ties in beautifully with what Mei later reveals:

I love how this scene seems to weave the symbolism of 忠 "loyalty" into Masamune's personality so naturally, without ever spelling it out.

Sometimes a single word is enough to reveal an entire way of living.

More posts inspired by Jester's stories (link)

Also shared in Reddit (link)

[masamunewaifu]

义结金兰 — Sworn in Sisterhood 🪻

I'm intrigued by RC's new story teaser of seeing three girls swear sisterhood — 义结金兰.

义结金兰 (yì jié jīn lán) describes choosing to become family without sharing blood — to recognise one another as 自己人 (zìjǐrén), “one of our own.” After the ceremony, they become 金兰姐妹 (jīnlán jiěmèi) — sworn sisters.

I especially love the imagery behind 金兰 (jīnlán), literally "metal/gold and orchid."

It recalls these lines from the I Ching / Yi Jing:

二人同心，其利断金；

同心之言，其臭如兰。

When two people are of one heart,

their strength can cut through metal;

Words that come from the same heart/spirit,

are fragrant like orchids.

金 — metal — evokes the strength of people united in heart.

兰 — fragrant orchid — evokes the beauty of words because they come from the same heart/spirit.

Together, 金兰 came to be associated with a deep bond between people whose hearts and intentions are in harmony.

So seeing three women begin this story by choosing one another as sworn sisters is a promise to each other:

to be bound not by blood, but by choice. 🪻

Also shared on Reddit (link)

[masamunewaifu]

TTS: If this was a photograph...

Why would someone choose to preserve this moment?

That was a turning point — the emperor was dead, but Tai has not yet been crowned.

He is the emperor's killer.

He is his father's killer.

And he is the only logical heir to the throne.

Tiss is not a subject standing behind her ruler.

She is not yet the partner standing beside him.

She is an accidental witness to the moment people will label him differently.

But to her,

Fearful as she is,

Uncertain as she is,

he is still simply her "Tai."

P.S. Perhaps I'm just sentimental, but choosing the black outfit and only later realising it matched Tai's so perfectly at this turning point, made me unbelievably happy. 🖤

This reflection grew out of an earlier Reddit post. (Link)

More moments, reflections and edits inspired by Jester's stories. (link) 🃏

Other sprite reference (updated on 30th Jul): The game also uses this expression here. I found both versions conveyed a very similar emotional atmosphere, but I happened to capture the first one by chance, and that became the image that inspired this post.

[masamunewaifu]

My Pride — Soulless: Vyxaria x Vincent

Not all bonds are built on trust from the start.

Vincent and Vyxaria’s alliance edges into something steady that carries both forward.

“I’m proud to fly up high… only because you carried me.”

Light content note: Stab scene, blood

Parallel Lyrics × Narrative Video Edit

Title: My Pride (Previously “Wind beneath my wings”)

Story: Soulless — Romance Club

Pairing: Vyxaria x Vincent

Music: My Pride / 我的驕傲 — Joey Yung / 容祖兒

Trigger Warning: Stab scene, blood

Rating: T

Tag list: @rc-catalog

First posted: 10 May 2026 (Reddit)

This edit ended up feeling like a counterpoint to my earlier “Heartbroken” edit for Soulless' Vyxaria & Threxio (link).

“Heartbroken” explored Threxio's earlier arc of betrayal and emotional devastation.

While “My Pride” is about finding confidence, resilience, and strength through the support of a loved one.

My Pride / 我的驕傲

Referenced Lyrics:

埋頭做   I keep my head down,

願你可　hoping you will

能為我驕傲更多 be proud of me.

無論有誰嫌棄我　No matter who forsook me,

投入卻無人可阻 I give myself completely, I am unstoppable.

我盼有一天將你抱入懷 I hope, one day, to hold you close,

昂然地對著宇宙說　let the universe hear it resolutely (proudly) —

是借著你的風 You’re the wind beneath my wings

Let me fly

I’m proud to fly up high

不因氣壓搖擺　Not because of currents above

只因有你擁戴 Only because you carried me

Believe me, I can fly,

I’m singing in the sky.

假使愛有奇蹟　If love can work miracles,

跟你創最愉快 Making it with you makes me happiest.

我覺得光榮　I am honoured (proud)

因有你　擁戴 because you carried me.

[masamunewaifu]

Sunborn (SB) co-author, N.O.V.A.'s recent Q and A highlights

I came across this recent Q&A with N.O.V.A. and thought some of the story-related answers might be interesting to English-speaking readers. I’ve gathered a few highlights below. 😊

(Originally shared on Reddit. The first version was removed by moderation; after revising and reposting it, the second version was also removed. Archived here for reference.)

One detail I found particularly interesting was how the English version uses “Wren” while other language versions use “Ren”, and how we can already see this difference reflected in the dialogue.

Visuals: "Sunborn", Romance Club

[Selected highlights translated from N.O.V.A.'s Q&A published in Shater_Shuta on TG. (link) Translation assisted by Google Translate.]

More posts inspired by Jester's stories. (link)

Appendix: Text version

For accessibility and easier reading, I’ve included a text version of the highlights in the screenshots, below.

Some interesting takeaways from SB co-creator’s recent Q&A (story-related highlights) ⭐

Story-related parts were translated and summarized from a recent creator Q&A. Rather than the full interview, SB story-relevant responses are highlighted here.

🌿 Ren’s origin

Ren wasn't based on one specific real-life person. Instead, she gradually took shape from a combination of personality traits and the situations she'll experience.

Her light-skinned sprite was partly inspired by features commonly associated with Irish people.

The English default name Wren was chosen after research into the bird and the symbolism surrounding it. The author felt both the bird's personality and the folklore around wrens fit Ren well. Players are, of course, free to rename her.

⌛ Development

The co-author joined the project after New Year and the story was released in June, so her involvement before release lasted roughly six months.

When asked to describe the story in one sentence, she answered:

"We're wolves, brother."

One word she chose to describe the atmosphere of the continuation:

Consequences.

📖 Story structure

There won't be a balanced stat route.

Endings will depend on both your chosen stat path and the decisions you make throughout the story.

Three seasons are currently planned.

🌙 Moonborn

She first discovered Moonborn while it was still being released.

Her favourite characters are the werewolves because of their mutual support and love of freedom.

💬 On reader feedback

She admitted she doesn't have time to follow every discussion, but some reactions still reach her.

One of her memorable comments:

"The best way to avoid making mistakes is... to actually make them."

She also added that she's still learning a completely new medium, so not everything will be perfect from the beginning—and that's okay.

✍️ Continuing an existing story

One of the longest answers explained what it's like to continue someone else's world.

Some key points:

- Working in an established universe is very different from creating your own.

- Alexander (Jester) shared the world's foundations, story framework, and major milestones from the beginning.

- Her role is to build the journey between those milestones while keeping the characters believable.

- Most new characters were created by her, but their personalities and designs were developed together.

- Alexander (Jester) carefully reviews scenes involving his original characters to ensure they remain true to themselves.

- She especially admires the amount of care he puts into making every route feel meaningful, regardless of whether players spend diamonds or which ending they reach.

❤️ Final message

She thanked everyone for their time and feedback, and promised to do her best to tell an interesting story.

Which answer stood out to you the most?

(Original interview in Russian: Shater_Shuta TG)

[masamunewaifu]

Love, Shadow and Catastrophe after the Wedding Banquet | TTS “Toxic” Edit

Rewatching and editing these TTS scenes again, I still cannot get over how unbelievable it feels.

CW for flashing visuals, implied violence, sexual imagery and poisoning/drugging themes

The wedding banquet itself already carried so much tension beneath the beauty. Foelh publicly naming the future son of Vellora as heir should have been a political moment, but the scene felt painfully personal too.

And afterwards, everything seems to collapse into each other at once. Love, humiliation, inheritance, shadow, violence and influence all become emotionally entangled.

Perhaps what unsettles me most is not only Tai himself, but watching how Tiss changes beside him. Little by little, the boundaries around what feels unthinkable begin shifting.

“Toxic” somehow captured these spiralling feelings perfectly. 🤯

Moments that give the edit its emotional foundation

Parallel Lyrics × Narrative Video Edit

Title: Love, Shadow and Catastrophe after the Wedding Banquet | TTS “Toxic” Edit

Story: The Thunderstorms Saga (TTS) — Romance Club

Pairing: Tiss x Tai

Music: Toxic — Britney Spears

Trigger Warning: flashing visuals, implied violence, sexual imagery and poisoning/drugging themes

Rating: M

Tag list: @rc-catalog

First posted: 24 May 2026 (Reddit)

The Bellas' a capella version of "Toxic" — my personal vibe (link)

More moments, reflections and edits inspired through Jester's stories. (link)

[masamunewaifu]

Different Colours, Walking in the Dark | TTS "Make You Mine" Edit

Primroses share the same foundation, yet bloom in different colours.

Different worlds. Different cultures. Different perspectives.

Tiss and Sha'arnez.

Tiss and Narialm.

The first call. Their first flight together.

"What if I can hold on and fly with him?"

Light CW: Implied Intimacy

"One can keep walking even in complete darkness. The main thing is to walk."

Parallel Lyrics × Narrative Video Edit

Title: Different Colours, Walking in the Dark | TTS “Make You Mine” Edit

Story: The Thunderstorms Saga (TTS) — Romance Club

Pairing: Tiss x Sha'arnez, & Narialm

Rating: T

Music: Make You Mine — Madison Beer

Trigger Warning: Implied Intimacy

Tag list: @rc-catalog

First posted: Dec 2025 (Reddit)