#takaritsu week

[cheriemariii]

if I started this on takaritsu day, and then practically finished it on takaritsu day, then it counts as something I made for takaritsu day 🫵

(day 6, and ig kind of day 4 as well, of @takaritsuweek 🌸)

[beurvalentine]

Day 1 Blossom/Reunion

Oh my god im freaking out @takaritsuweek day 0 is almost freaking here and I can't handle it. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself. Enjoy some sadness LAKSJLKAJ

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Masamune’s eyes had become much more sensitive (and required an even stronger prescription) in his old age, causing him to slowly wake at the first hint of sunlight. Usually he would grumble and throw his blanket over his head - much too tired to be dragging himself out of bed to adjust the curtains - but today he would utilize every waking moment. 

Today was special, after all. 

He slowly sat up, more bones protesting than he would have liked as his feet touched the cool floor. His movement disturbed the big fluff ball that had been laying beside him, making her stand and stretch at her own sluggish pace. She padded across the mattress to bump her head against Masamune’s arm. 

“Being nice today, Sakura?” He asked, scratching her between her white ears. “Or are you just hungry?”

She meowed, making her way into Masamune’s lap and plopping down. She was an old cat now - sixteen years old give or take - and the name had been Masamune’s idea after he and Ritsu found her frightened and hungry on the street. Ritsu treated the name suggestion like a bad joke, but it just ended up sticking. 

Sakura head butted Masamune’s hand as he pet her, quietly purring. 

“Ah, are you maybe worried about me? Do you remember what today is?” He asked. “Come on, get up.” He gently nudged her, Sakura not typically enjoying being picked up and manhandled. With enough encouragement, Sakura hopped down from the bed, much more agile than Masamune despite her own elderly status. She took a few steps forward toward the bedroom door before looking behind her shoulder to make sure Masamune was following. 

“I’m slow, but I’m coming, don’t rush an old man.” He said with a chuckle, making his way to the small kitchen. He made himself a cup of coffee and got Sakura her food. He didn’t have much of an appetite himself, sipping his hot drink slowly as he watched Sakura eat greedily. 

“Now, don’t start expecting me to always wake up this early to give you your food.” Masamune warned and Sakura made some noise that couldn’t quite be classified as a meow with all her chewing mixed in with it. Masamune smiled a bit to himself in amusement, finishing his coffee. 

“I’ve got something for you.” He said, opening a specific cabinet that made Sakura’s pupils go wide and her ears stand up straight as her brain alerted her that this was the one that held the treats. She jumped up onto the counter, meowing loudly, making Masamune shush and shoo her. “Have some manners, Sakura.” He scolded playfully, getting out a treat for her as well as a little toy he’d stowed away. He set the treat down first, chuckling as she devoured it. “You’re going to choke.” He warned, but she didn’t pay him any mind.

She licked her lips once she was finished then looked up at Masamune expectantly, waiting to see if she was lucky enough for more. 

“Here, since you destroyed your last one.” He said as he gently tossed a small fish shaped toy to her. Sakura latched on to it immediately, biting and kicking with her back legs. She preferred toys she could grab rather than little balls to chase - that took too much energy. Masamune watched her ‘attack’ with affection. 

“Happy birthday, Sakura.” He said. Now, he and Ritsu didn’t know if today was actually her birthday - it was unlikely - but today was the day that the two had found her, so it seemed appropriate enough. 

With Sakura taken care of, Masamune began to walk out of the kitchen. First he went to a rather expansive bookshelf, very carefully scanning the titles that he and Ritsu had collected over the years for one book in particular and pulling it out once he located it. He then shuffled to stand in front of a simple and private shrine, tending to some of the cherry blossom branches on display he’d gotten the previous day. Sakura followed after a few moments, the fish toy in her mouth as if it were prey she had caught. 

“Today isn’t just your birthday, Sakura.” Masamune said, looking down at her when he heard the tinkling of the bell on her collar. She let out a muffled meow around the toy as she looked up toward the flowers and the picture front and center. She knew from past experience that if she tried to jump up there she’d get grabbed, so she stayed put. 

Masamune lit a candle, refraining from burning incense as he knew it wasn’t good for his feline friend. 

“Happy birthday, Ritsu.” He said, soon kneeling on a cushion, planning on being here for quite a while. Sakura watched him for a few moments before ultimately deciding to curl up next to him, gently dropping her toy between her own front paws. 

“I bought a small cake for later. And I have your favorite book here. I thought I’d read it to you. Sakura’s here too, to say happy birthday. She’s more clingy today. I think she’s worried I’m sad.” Masamune scratched her under her chin, Sakura leaning into the touch. “Well, she’s not wrong. I miss you.” Masamune took in a shaking breath, his already terrible vision becoming even more blurry with tears. “I can’t cry and read, though. You’d be mad if I got your favorite book all wet.” He said with a bittersweet laugh, pulling his hand away from Sakura to push his glasses out of the way and rub his eyes. “You’re lucky I love you so much, you know that? Otherwise I’d be royally pissed off that you left me again even though you promised you wouldn’t.” He continued. “I mean, I am pissed off, don’t get me wrong, but I’ll forgive you if you give me the thousands of kisses I’m owed triple fold when we meet again.” He said, sounding entirely too serious about his terms.

The photo of Ritsu just smiled wordlessly, an eternal flush to his cheeks, forever immortalized as a bashful, nervous, but excited groom on his wedding day.

Masamune took another deep breath, realizing he’d just been staring for a few minutes. “Sorry. Don’t mean to be giving you a hard time on your birthday of all days.” He smiled a bit. “I guess I should be giving you thousands of kisses, huh?” He chuckled. “Shouldn’t I, Sakura?” He asked. 

Sakura meowed in response, but stayed curled up.

“See, she agrees.” He said, trying to ignore the way his heart grew heavier at the lack of indignant protests and embarrassed denials. “You probably want me to get on with the reading already, huh? It’s not as fun to tease you without you here to yell at me, anyway. One would think you would have mellowed out, but I swear you got worse.” He joked, chuckling softly to himself, his laughter petering out into a sigh. “I’d give anything to hear you call me an idiot again, though.” A brief silence fell over Masamune before he smiled slowly. “Or a pervert.” His laughter returned. “How’d I get so lucky, marrying the cutest man in the world?”

Still no answer, not that Masamune was expecting one. Masamune sighed once more, admiring his husband’s features. “When did we get so old?” He complained. Although many things began to deteriorate the older he got - his eyesight, his strength, his energy - the memories of their youth were still bold in his mind. His heart so clearly recalled the feeling of falling love for the first time - how frightening, unexpected, exciting, and overwhelmingly warm it was. Although their separation had left a deep wound, it healed with time and the scar faded with the many wonderful years he and Ritsu were able to spend together after their reunion. 

Now, all that was left was the love that was so haphazardly but sincerely and passionately tended to and grew into something beyond what Masamune ever could have hoped for. Only, the person that love was for was no longer here to share it. 

“Mreow?” 

Masamune blinked, realizing his tears had overwhelmed him this time and began to fall down his face. 

“Sorry, girl. I don’t mean to worry you.” Masamune stroked her back reassuringly. “You miss him too, don’t you?” He added with a sad smile. 

It took at least a year for Sakura to stop looking for Ritsu after his passing. Sakura had always preferred Ritsu over Masamune, not that Masamune minded - nor could he blame her. Ritsu was great, after all. She’d get on Ritsu’s side of the bed, sniffing his pillow and laying down, meowing loudly to demand nightly cuddles - a ritual that she and Ritsu became quite settled in after years of companionship (And Ritsu finally learning how to handle and read the body language of a cat). However, her meows were left unanswered. She would look behind Masamune after he’d come home from running errands to see if Ritsu would be following, but he never was. She’d even sit and wait at the front door, meowing over and over again as if her voice could lead Ritsu back home.

Masamune’s grief had been volatile for a long time, even more so during the first year. Sometimes when he saw Sakura sitting and waiting he had to sit himself down on the couch as he became overwhelmed with body jerking sobs, unable to compose himself for hours. Other times he’d snap and tell her to shut up and that Ritsu wasn’t ever coming back. Much more rarely he would sit beside her and pet her head, watching the door with her. 

“I think that’s why we get along pretty well.” Masamune said to the cat. “Cause we both love Ritsu.”

“Mreow.”

“Only idiots wouldn’t love him.” 

Sakura started to purr and Masamune took that as agreement. He calmed down his tears and straightened out his glasses before he finally opened up the book to start reading out loud. Sakura’s purring quieted down before ceasing all together, her breathing calm and steady as she fell asleep to the sound of his voice. 

Masamune continued to read, letting himself get lost enough in the book that he could pretend there was another person leaning against his shoulder and following along with the words.

[suddenlycoveredinhens]

WEEK DE TAKARIT

@takaritsuweek

Day 2 rain/picnic

Perfect.

Glancing through the lobby windows at the raging storm outside, both men were thinking the same thing. While Ritsu was scathingly sarcastic in his mind, Takano was practically giddy. Thanking wherever deities may have played a part in this blessing, Takano smoothly slipped Ritsus bag off his shoulder and began to briskly walk off with it.

"Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing!" Ritsu whipped away from where he'd hesitated by the main entrance, bristling at Takano's gall.

"Walking to the parking garage, obviously."

"Give me back my bag, I need to catch the train-" Ritsu nearly barreled straight into Takanos chest, as the older man turned to glare down at him.

"Fine. You can take the train, but if you get even the slightest hint of a cold, you'd better be prepared for the consequences." Takano could see Ritsu's determination waver, green eyes darting to the rain pounding outside. They both knew he didn't have an umbrella, and was wearing a coat that was not water-resistant.

"Or…" Takano drawled, "You could accept your boss's generous offer, and get in the car." With a huff, Ritsu gave his answer by stomping past, toward the connected parking garage where Takano's car waited. Satisfied, Takano followed, thinking of what he could cook to tempt Ritsu to stay for dinner. Takano hoped it'd keep raining; after all, it was the best weather for cuddling, and a good meal always made Ritsu less reluctant.

"You're lucky I forgot an umbrella." Ritsu grumbled, sliding into the passenger seat and bucking up as Takano deposited their bags on the back seat.

"I know." Takano rebuffed, taking the opportunity to kiss the brunette's cheek once he'd sat behind the wheel. He smiled when he didn't get shouted at in return.

Takano hoped it'd rain more often.

[ravenpureforever]

So I was busy with classes and I’m currently working on my first novel and some short stories and then I was/am abroad (going back in two days!) for the past three weeks and also for the past two months I’ve been deep in a love affair/obsession/special interest with KinnPorsche but I’ve briefly awoken from all these projects for my nostalgic (hehe) fave to participate in TakaRitsu week! @takaritsuweek notice me senpai

Day 1: Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossoms hold a special place in Ritsu’s heart.

They represent new beginnings, that breath taking moment of youth as a first love ignites with a maiden’s heart. 

Or maybe Ritsu just reads too much shoujo manga for his own good 

But it’s still one of his favorite scenes, a timeless and simple trope that just makes an audience swoon as the heroine has a chance encounter, a heartfelt confession, or even just a realization. It’s a perfect moment for any high school romance, and those are always one of the most popular chapters.

Were the cherry blossoms in bloom when he fell in love with Saga-Senpai? 

But cherry blossoms were always perfect to represent a shift in the story, the signal of a different start, a different time, a different life. 

There are no cherry blossoms when he’s transferred to Emerald, there’s no magical moment signaling the start of a new era for him, away from the grasp of his parents. 

But it’s not even that time if the year, spring passed and all cherry blossoms long gone, shriveled away with the coming warmth of summer, when he transfers to a new world. 

What will the shoujo department here be like, Ritsu had mused on his first day. Will it be a more traditional looking office? Or will they try to capture the spirit of it all with stuffed animals and pink and lace and flowers? 

He never gets to learn the answer though, as he quickly finds himself in the most boring looking office in existence in the literature department of all things. 

There are no cherry blossoms to be found here, no appreciation for their symbolic meaning, their role in an innocent first love, just eerily relaxed coworkers. Maybe it’s early in the cycle? Books do tend to take a bit longer, so maybe it results in a longer one? 

It’s not that Ritsu doesn't love books- he’s always been an avid reader and holds respect for the editors helping works become truly great-but shoujo was his, and it’s been plucked away from him. 

It has nothing to do with Saga-senpai, that’d be ridiculous, Ritsu is an adult who’s moved on from his foolish first love. 

Kisa might have some fondness for cherry blossoms, given the man’s penchant for editing romance novels, but the others? The chances are slim to none.

His boss Takano, that annoying, gruff man, definitely has no appreciation for cherry blossoms. Ritsu may have been the demon of the shoujo department, but Takano could give him a run for his money with his ruthless cynicism and the way he barks order.He’s awful and insensitive and is actually Saga-senpai and holds this idiotic idea that he’ll make Ritsu love him again with a confession Ritsu definitely didn’t get flustered over. 

It was just similar to some of the stuff he’s edited, that’s it! 

But despite all that, Ritsu does hold some respect for the man and wants to learn at least something from him. He’s in literature now and Ritsu doesn’t half ass his work, no matter what people would say.

It’s after watching Takano give critics and praise to an author’s manuscript, Ritsu gets the courage to ask the question that’s been lingering in his mind this past week. Between the unexpected department and Saga-senpai being his boss and his boss living next door, he feels like he’s been all over the place, completely out of his depth. 

“Takano-san, do you think maybe I could one day be a good literary editor?” Ritsu murmurs. He braces himself for the hard truth. He’s barely even started,how arrogant can he be? Ritsu would be laughed out of the shoujo department if he’d asked this in his first week. 

But watching Takano, shadowing him in hopes of figuring out what he’s even supposed to do-Ritsu needs to know if it’s even worth the risk of him trying a completely new department. 

Takano stops walking for a second, and turns around to look at him. Ritsu feels like his eyes are glaring into his soul. 

“You’re on the right path, Onodera. Stop worrying so much.” Takano says, making a mess of Ritsu’s hair, and then just wandering off like he’s always done these past couple of days after saying something that takes Ritsu completely off guard. 

There are no cherry blossoms falling as Takano walks away from him, but all Ritsu can think of at this moment is Takano’s hand ruffling in his hair, making his cheeks grow warm. 

Shit. 

360 days until Onodera Ritsu falls in love.

[rosesweetchild]

Takaritsu Day 5 - Heavenly Somebodies (Role Swap)

@takaritsuweek

Masamune sighs as he walks into Onodera Shuppan. He’s finally escaped Shuudansha and his unprofessional supervisor. His first choice for a transfer would have been Marukawa, but this is fine, and a step in the right direction. To be on the safe side, he spent the last few days devouring the publishing house’s Shonen magazine’s latest offerings which were somewhat on the weak side, but that’s fine because he also took detailed notes on each current serial and how they can be improved. He's all set to brave a new manga department.

So why is this idtiotic HR rep telling him he’s been transferred to the Literature department?? Maybe right after college that would have been brilliant, but not after he’s had five years of experience in Shonen manga!

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

[naxoxmi]

@takaritsuweek day 6! Prompt: Takaritsu Day/Confession Anyone else thinks Ritsu will cry when he confesses?

[sekaiichis]

August 5th - Day 6 - Takaritsu Day | @takaritsuweek

[taknostic]

Takaritsu week popped off this year!! Ty to everybody who contributed you all are very cool