The LADS official just dropped this preview of their upcoming 5* card event, and survey me this... they've given them mullets, yes? I've seen references to "wolf cut" ... but is "wolf cut" just a trendy way to say, "oh no, this is not a mullet, I would never wear a mullet, this is the latest style."
Translations may not always capture the exact nuances or tone of the original text. Expect grammatical errors and inaccuracies.
Spoilers ahead.
Nobunaga: "Mai, Tell me everything."
Mai: "That's..."
The words caught in my throat before I could say them.
(No, I can't. I just can't say it.)
(If Mitsuhide were to disappear from history, I would be saved, but…)
(If I explain everything, it will only bring suffering to everyone in the Oda army.)
(To save him would mean abandoning me.)
I couldn't put such a cruel choice on the people who feel like family to me.
Nobunaga: "Mai, answer me."
Hideyoshi: "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Mai: "............"
I'd been praying that my voice would reach them every time I opened my mouth, but that wasn't the case now.
(Since I came to live here, I've grown to love everyone in the Oda army.)
(I treasure them deeply, without question, and I know they treasure me too.)
(Which is exactly why I can't bring myself to ask for help, no matter what.)
(I'm the only one who needs to suffer.)
I finally understood the loneliness Mitsuhide must have felt.
Ranmaru: "Lady Mai? You're still here, right? You can still hear us?"
(My voice still reaches them for now, but…)
I clutched the bell in my palm to keep it from making any sound and quietly stood up.
Masamune: "It's fine if you can't reply right away. You can write it down and send it to us later."
Ieyasu: "You should do that. It's more of a hassle if you try to carry it all by yourself."
Mitsunari: "Lady Mai, we're here for you. And of course, Lord Mitsuhide, too."
Hideyoshi: "That's right, Mai. So don't worry about it."
Keiji: "You're cherished, Mai."
(Yeah, I really am.)
I gazed at each of their faces, engraving them into my memory.
I knew that after this, I'd never be able to meet their eyes again.
(Thank you.)
(And...)
(I'm sorry.)
Swallowing the words I couldn't say, I left the hall.
When I got back to my room, I tried a few times before I finally picked up the brush.
(Sending a letter would interfere with people from this time, so this is probably my last chance.)
(While I can still connect with them, I need to make sure they know this.)
Even though I was freaking out, I took my time with each word, trying to keep my handwriting neat as possible.
(If I disappear, Mitsuhide will have no reason to fight against everyone.)
One of the reasons he raised his army was to have himself defeated to save me.
(I need to tell them that I'm gone and that they should stop him.)
I would beg them to welcome him back into the Oda army and not punish him.
And then I wrote my apology and gratitude to everyone in the Oda army.
Hideyoshi, thank you for always being so kind and considerate. I can't even begin to explain how much your kindness has saved me.
Masamune, the way you carry yourself has always inspired me. I'll always pray that your path will be a glorious one.
Ieyasu, thank you for always encouraging me with your stern words. I'll really miss hearing your blunt but caring voice.
Mitsunari, your smile is really like that of an angel. Please continue to light up everyone in Azuchi with that smile.
Ranmaru, being with you was so much fun. You're an important part of my life, and that won't change even if we're apart. We'll always be friends.
Keiji, although we've only known each other for a short time, your cheerfulness gave me so much strength. If I could have stayed in Azuchi longer, I'm sure we would have gotten even closer.
Lord Nobunaga, thank you for welcoming me into the Oda army. Thank you for everything. Please, please, take care of yourself.
Mai: "Phew."
I finished writing and immediately started on the last letter.
(What should I do? I don't have much time.)
(I have so much I want to say, but I can't fit it all in.)
As I thought of that person, tears began to fall, soaking the paper, and my hand, holding the brush, remained still.
The emotions were so overwhelming that I felt like my chest would burst.
(I won't blame you for your choice. Just let me make the same one.)
(I'll take all the divine punishment upon myself.)
I will not drag you into hell with me.
(I'll go alone, so you must survive in this world.)
(That's my final and only remaining hope.)
I managed to move my hand just enough to write a brief letter.
Eventually, night arrived.
Ranmaru: "Lady Mai, are you here!? You haven't responded since earlier. Where are you?"
Ranmaru: "What the hell is this letter!?"
Ranmaru: "..........."
Reading the letter left in the now empty room, Ranmaru froze for a moment before bolting out of the castle.
And just like that, Mai vanished from Azuchi Castle without a trace.
The following morning, the Oda army clashed head-on with the rebel forces.
Mitsuhide: "Do not falter. Forge your path forward! We will take Nobunaga's head!"
Rebel soldiers: "Yeah!"
Samurai, ronin, bandits, townsfolk, and villagers—all soldiers of different backgrounds, with their flags raised, charged forward under Mitsuhide's command.
Meanwhile, Nobunaga, glaring at the approaching large battalion, surveyed the battlefield from the rear of his army and coldly issued his command.
Nobunaga: "Scatter them."
Masamune: "Understood."
Masamune drew his sword and spurred his horse into the fray.
Keiji and Ieyasu quickly followed behind him.
Masamune: "Too soft! Bring them all at once!"
Keiji: "If you're gonna run, now's your chance!"
Ieyasu: "Move! Get out of my way."
The thick wall of enemy soldiers was quickly shattered.
Rebel General 1: "L-Lord Mitsuhide, what should we do?!"
Rebel General 2: "At this rate, it's only a matter of time before the enemy reaches our rear command!"
Rebel General 3: "What's with their strength?! These guys are monsters!"
Mitsuhide: "I don't remember giving you permission to retreat."
Rebel Generals: "!"
Mitsuhide: "Advance. Only forward."
As the sun began to set, the peaceful fields transformed into a hellish scene.
Swords and the bodies of the fallen lay scattered across the field.
Rebel General 1: "Move! We can't hold on any longer! I'm escaping!"
Rebel General 2: "Wait, you're not getting away ahead of me! I'm going too!"
The rebel forces, now scattered, began to flee in confusion.
However, the Oda army's rear guard wasn't about to let them escape.
Mitsunari: "I wouldn't advise turning your back. Don't waste your life."
Hideyoshi: "Don't think any of you are getting away. If you want to keep your head, drop your swords now."
Rebel soldiers: "H-Huh?!"
One by one, the enemy soldiers were overwhelmed by Hideyoshi and Mitsunari's forces.
The main force of the rebel army, which had been holding its ground in the center of the battlefield, was steadily worn down by Masamune, Keiji, and Ieyasu.
Eventually, the unit directly under the command of the generals was left exposed before the Oda army.
Rebel General 3: "I-It's over. I'm retreating!"
Rebel General 2: "You think you can escape alone?!"
Rebel General 1: "P-Please forgive me! I was just manipulated by Mitsuhide Akechi!"
Ieyasu: "I'll listen to your excuses in prison."
Masamune: "You guys are not even worth cutting down."
Keiji: "What a pathetic bunch. How the hell did they even become generals?"
The defeated soldiers bowed in surrender, and after the rebel generals were captured, the battlefield, heavy with the scent of blood, fell into an eerie silence.
Then, the two commanders faced each other.
Mitsuhide & Nobunaga: "..........."
Mitsuhide didn't lower his head. Instead, he raised it and smiled.
Nobunaga: "This reunion came sooner than I expected, Mitsuhide. Though, it seems you didn't anticipate this outcome."
Mitsuhide: "What are you saying? I misjudged the strength of the Oda army. I underestimated your true power."
Nobunaga: "Oh? So even a man like you can get his calculations wrong?"
Mitsuhide: "Yes, I've been overestimating myself for quite some time."
Mitsuhide: "It's a real shame, but it seems my fate has finally come to an end."
Nobunaga: "I see."
Mitsuhide lightly lifted his chin, exposing his throat to the setting sun.
Mitsuhide: "I've long accepted my fate."
Nobunaga: "Is that so?"
With a sharp sound, Nobunaga unsheathed his sword.
The gleaming white blade glinted as its tip pointed directly at Mitsuhide's throat.
Then—
Nobunaga: "Ranmaru, bring it here."
Ranmaru: "Yes."
Mitsuhide: "............"
Without showing even a hint of confusion, Mitsuhide silently observed the events unfolding before him.
Ranmaru approached him, anger blazing in his eyes, and shoved a letter addressed to the Oda army into Mitsuhide's hands.
Ranmaru: "Read it, Lord Mitsuhide. I don't need to tell you whose handwriting it is, yeah?"
Mitsuhide: "............"
Mitsuhide: "............"
Mitsuhide: "............"
Mitsuhide: "Mai. Why?"
As if his soul had left him, Mitsuhide collapsed to his knees.
Standing beside him, Ranmaru trembled and clenched his fist tightly.
Ranmaru: "You're such an idiot! Both you and Lady Mai."
Ranmaru: "How could you shoulder everything alone and plan to disappear like that!?"
Unable to continue speaking, Ranmaru just stood there.
Beside him, Nobunaga quietly sheathed his sword, and the Oda warlords approached.
Masamune: "Throwing away your lives for each other… you two really are alike."
Mitsuhide: "............"
Hideyoshi: "I'll never forgive you. Not for raising your army, but for making Mai cry!"
Ieyasu: "Don't think you can get away with an easy punishment like being cut down."
Mitsunari: "There's work we expect you to carry out, even if it takes a lifetime."
Keiji: "Well, even if we didn't tell you, you'd probably do it on your own."
Nobunaga: "Leave, Mitsuhide. You're expelled from the Oda army permanently."
Mitsuhide: "Lord Nobunaga…"
Nobunaga: "Leave, and do what you must."
Nobunaga: "Even if it takes the rest of your life, find Mai."
Mitsuhide: "............"
Life slowly returned to Mitsuhide's eyes.
Ranmaru: "There's one more letter. It's from Lady Mai."
The letter contained only a single sentence.
Mitsuhide: "............"
Clutching the letter to his chest, Mitsuhide sank further to his knees, his face hidden from everyone.
Masamune: "That girl isn't the kind to throw away her life so easily."
Masamune: "Even if she becomes invisible to everyone, she'll keep on living, as long as her sanity holds."
Keiji: "That sounds like a living hell to me."
Mitsuhide: "No, I won't let it come to that."
Masamune and Keiji: "!?"
Mitsuhide lifted his head, his bloodshot eyes reflecting both endless despair and a glimmer of hope.
Mitsuhide: "If she's going to hell, then I'm going with her."
That night, news quickly spread throughout Japan that Mitsuhide had been killed and his rebel army had fallen apart.
Motonari: "Tch. Your prediction came true. How boring."
Kicho: "Don't complain. If that's how it is, we'll simply move on to the next step."
Motonari: "Hurry it up, then. I'd really prefer not to be bored to death the second time."
Motonari: "So? What happened to the mastermind who hijacked our plans?"
Kicho: "They haven't found Mitsuhide's head."
Motonari: "Being ripped apart in battle and disappearing without a trace? That's such a boring way to end, don't you think?"
Kicho: "There's no need to worry."
Kicho: "He's a man who treats others and even himself as mere pawns, but he wouldn't throw his life away for nothing."
Kicho: "Where he's gone, though, is anyone's guess."
And so, the seasons passed.
Mitsuhide: "The sun's coming out."
Watching the drifting clouds fade into the distance, Mitsuhide, dressed as a traveling performer, reached into his belongings and pulled out a bamboo flask, taking a small sip of water.
He closed his eyes and listened, just as he once did when he traveled with Mai.
Now, he was alone, searching for the sound of the bell that must still be ringing somewhere in this world.
Mitsuhide: "............"
He opened his eyes and smiled bitterly without meaning to.
No matter how many times he looked back or how many years had passed, the memories of the days they spent together never faded.
If anything, they had grown more vivid, deepening the emotions that continued to well up within him.
Mitsuhide: "Mai."
The name he'd said so many times on his journey slipped from his lips again today.
His only clue, the faint sound of a bell, led him on an endless search with no clear end in sight.
Mitsuhide reached into his robe, pulled out a letter, and carefully unfolded it in the sunlight.
He traced the familiar handwriting, achingly nostalgic, as he reread the letter for the umpteenth time.
The letter contained only a single line:
Mitsuhide, you're my light.
Mitsuhide: "You truly were an incredible teacher."
Mitsuhide: "You dragged out every emotion I had locked away just like this."
Mitsuhide: "Thanks to you, even traveling alone has been anything but dull."
The wound of their parting still bled, still brought him searing pain, yet, even that pain had become precious to him.
Mitsuhide: "What am I supposed to do, Mai?"
Mitsuhide: "The joy, the sorrow, the fear—I don't think I can let go of any of it now."
Even now, Mitsuhide clung to the memory of that happiness.
Ring
Mitsuhide: "............"
Mitsuhide looked around and a cool breeze rustled the grass and flowers.
Mitsuhide: "Are you there?"
Ring
The bell chimed softly.
Mitsuhide: "............"
He reached out his arm, grasping at the air.
It was as though he was trying to embrace the entire world—a world where Mai still existed.
Mitsuhide: "Mai."
He'd decided to chase her endlessly.
He'd decided to believe, without a shadow of a doubt, that Mai was alive somewhere in this world—even if he could no longer see her, hear her voice, or touch her.
He chose not to despair. He chose the hope that burned like hellfire.
Mitsuhide: "............"
The sound of the bell quickly faded away along with the wind.
Mitsuhide: "A game of tag, huh? Fine by me."
Mitsuhide: "I'll catch you without fail."
Mitsuhide: "I'll spend my life saving you."
Mitsuhide: "Mai. You are, without a doubt, my light."
And so, Mitsuhide began walking again under the gentle sunlight with a genuine smile on his face.
ok I need need need to talk about this. It’s probably not new and it’s not really important but!!!!! I want to about how Ikesen nobunaga and shingen are narrative foils. And I’m not saying I just figured that out—the game rather obviously makes this point. I just want to talk about how-like the nuts and bolts. Because I basically played their revival Fall In Love Again event routes back to back and like the differences in how they reacted had me thinking about them again
I should preface that I don’t really have like screenshot proof this is mostly based on my memories. So I might be wrong about some details but anyways. I just wanted to write it out for myself.
Very Very Very Long and Random thought dump below the read more :
Ok so like since this was inspired by the event I’ll start there and stream of consciousness my way to a larger point.
Nobunaga-upon forgetting MC-is described as cold, in MC’s own words, and this seems to be extend beyond just her perception. Nobunaga has little interest in her, outside of any momentary entertainment she might bring, which matches his attitude at the beginning of his main route. He values her so far as he is useful to her. Obviously this changes later on but I think this is an important point to start at.
Because!!! Shingen is noticeably different. Again, you can argue that’s because he knows that she took care of him post injury but I don’t rlly think that’s the case. Shingen values people, especially the people around him, especially especially the people he deems it’s his job to protect-his loved ones and the common people (generally). And as far as he knows at that point, this random, admittedly cute girl would fall under that. So yes he’s going to be chill with her and even flirt with her because he’s that kind of guy. And that’s an important point. Shingen isn’t just a guy who cares about others, he’s a guy who consciously makes that part of his personality. Like when Shingen looks in the mirror and thinks of the kind of guy he is, he thinks: “I am a guy who cares and looks out for the people around me.” AND that matters to him. It is so important to Shingen that he cares.
Because Nobunaga doesn’t!!! And like yes we know he actually does care once we hang around him and the Oda forces more but Shingen has no reason to think that. If anything, he has every reason to think that Nobunaga is every bit the devil his nickname claims him to be. To him, Nobunaga is an evil man who took away the things Shingen held most dear and so he must be stopped AND Shingen is nothing like him. The first part is the outward justification, because it’s easier to say out loud and all the people around him who also suffered because of Nobunaga’s conquest are going to agree with that. But the second part is more important to Shingen I think.
From what I recall, there are a few instances (whether they’re in main routes or event stories I don’t exactly remember) where Shingen acknowledges that Nobunaga has some good ideas. And Shingen I think can’t deny that without serious cognitive dissonance because he is a very intelligent and logical, another aspect which he considers part of his identity. So he’s going to acknowledge that Nobunaga has come up with ideas that he agrees with because Nobunaga is also a canonical genius within the game (not that any of the warlords are particularly stupid). So he has to find something that distinguishes him from a man he despises so much. And to him it’s that he cares that’s what makes him different from Nobunaga because he is sure that he would never do what Nobunaga did if he was in that situation.
And he’s probably right. Nobunaga can only do what he does because he’s shut his emotions off from himself. And like yes it’s very nice that MC can make him less of an emotional dustbin but tbh it only makes his job harder and tbh he’ll probably be like 70% fine if he stays that way. I’m not saying it’s a good thing that he’s like this but it is something that he chooses to continue BECAUSE HE CARES. Because he cares about the lives of the people now and the people in the future, he believes he must achieve his goal at any costs. Even if some people have to be sacrificed…even if he has to turn himself into a shell of a human being, it’s all worth it if he succeeds because Nobunaga so deeply believes in the good that will come in the end. I replayed his route recently so I remember it better but he basically says something like “I didn’t care if I died so long as my goal was one step closer to being achieved” (until MC came but again she’s not important rn sorry girl).
Now who does this sound like…it’s Shingen !!!! Yes you got it!!!!ding ding ding!!!! Talk about a man who will literally die to achieve his goal. I mean yes he’s literally dying but like instead of resting, relaxing, and trying to get better, he’s out here burning himself out on the battlefield just for the chance to get his territory back (AND kill Nobunaga, god willing). He’s also more than satisfied to leave things to Yuki when he passes because he believes strongly that Yuki can take up the torch and protect the people. We see that when he pull his sorta not really betrayal stunt with Kennyo in Yuki’s sequel (it might have been his eternal route I can’t rlly remember). Him and Nobunaga very similar in this aspect.
But they’re not the same and here’s where I really get into the pseudo psychoanalysis. Shingen is compassionate and altruistic on the outside and those are both things he internalizes about himself. However, he would also do anything to ensure his goal is achieved including kidnapping an innocent random girl (sorry MC). Shingen presents himself as the antithesis to Nobunaga, a man who portrays and believes (at least on the surface) to be selfishly determined in his goal at the expense of everyone else. I’m not saying that Shingen thinks he’s god’s gift to the world; he does regret some of things he does in pursuit of his goals (re: kidnapping MC). However, overall I’d say Shingen BELIEVES he is nothing like Nobunaga. But I think even he’s not aware of how much that desire is covering his deeper decision making.
Because deep deep down I really truly believe that Shingen is also really selfish. I’m not saying this to condemn him, It’s a mostly neutral statement. Shingen is selfish. Why put his vassals, the ones who care for him enough to follow him to another lord’s land, and Yuki, a boy he has watched grow up in front of his very eyes, through the hardship of war and the arguably greater horror of watching him-a man who they all place on a pedestal-deteriorate day by day while they can do nothing about it? It’s because he’s selfish enough to believe that their suffering can be worth it so long as he gets Nobunaga’s head. And I don’t think this is something he’s fully acknowledged but it lies there under the surface and fills him with immense guilt. But he can’t deny himself it. He probably rationalizes it as something that will be good for them in the long run, but I feel like somewhere in him Shingen knows that this isn’t about doing things for them.
Because, as I said earlier, Shingen is a very intelligent character. He can probably reason that there is a path forward for his people and himself to regain Kai and their honor by working with Nobunaga. We kind of see this is one of his main route endings where the Oda forces visit Kai after him and MC have moved back there. Yes, you can argue that it wouldn’t be easy for his people to swallow but they would go along with it if he did And it would mean they and a lot of other innocent people would not be exposed to the horrors of war. Nobunaga has no reason (beyond empty posturing) to refuse to come to the table and have a conversation with Shingen about the control of his land. Nobunaga refers to Kenshin and Shingen as thorns in his side and if he was made to believe that Shingen would not interfere in his plans, I think he would ensure that Kai returned to him because it would put him one step closer to his goal and he knows how useful Shingen can be. And I hate to put my flirty king down, but the beef is very one sided imo Nobunaga does not hate Shingen. And also again HE CARES. He doesn’t desire to murder a bunch of people if he doesn’t have to. And with his spy network and kind of obsession with the man, I don’t see how Shingen wouldn’t know this. I think his rational brain can and probably did piece together that Nobunaga would amenable to a cessation of hostile but he can’t accept that.
Shingen wants to beat Nobunaga. It might be one of the only things he’s wanted so blatantly in a really long time. MC notes that Shingen keeps a lot of his inner thoughts close to his chest and It seems reasonable to think he’s always been like that. And that’s exhausting, because he needs to constantly be on his guard while also maintaining his persona and presenting himself as rather carefree and assured when in reality he’s probably got a million things running through his head. He needs this for himself. He needs it all to mean something.
And like isn’t this dynamic so interesting???Nobunaga is a man who appears very arrogant and cold and selfish to everyone except those who are closest to him and yet deep down his actions in the story are driven by a strange kind of compassion and caring for the people. Meanwhile Shingen is a man who presents himself as Nobunaga’s opponent and acts in a way that broadcasts his humanity and consideration for others. But when it comes to the war, he seems imo to be driven by a selfish goal to that overrides his rational decision making. And what really gets me is that Shingen showcases that in some scenarios (especially when it comes to killing Nobunaga), he believes that the ends justify the means as much as Nobunaga does. But he keeps searching for a different meaning, a different kind of validation for what he does because he so strongly believes that he is not like Nobunaga. On the other hand, Nobunaga so deeply believes in his goal that his actions are inherently justified by it. But because of this he is incapable of ever being validated by and connected to others.
Shingen is the hero that walks among the people but walls himself off with a smile and Nobunaga is the king that sits behind the castle walls and demands the people’s respect through sheer authority. Neither of them wants or perhaps is even capable of being their true selves because in the end it all comes down to their goals. And that’s why neither of them can budge.
And doesn’t that drive you insane!?????? I know it does me because I wrote this whole damn thing. But I think about these characters and just
I’m so sorry to anyone who chooses to read this. It wasn’t supposed to be this long T-T
- he runs a non-profit in Japan that specifically does work to ensure peace
- he comes from a rich family so it doesn't hurt his pockets too much . He pays his employees well and treats them even better, even though he is also strict
- secret plushie collection
- you need to understand that there is a bakery in the biulding. Hideyoshi can't keep him from visiting atlaast once a day.
- bisexual king, he has a small bi flag in his office. None can shame him for who he is and his family would look worse for disowning him compared to the judgment for being bi
Hideyoshi:
- worked for Nobunaga ever since the non-profit opend
- right-hand man and CTO
- he makes sure that things get done and helps in person when more hands are needed
- isn't afraid to do the dirty work
- still somehow gets into fights with Mitsuhide all the time
- tried his hardest to not havw a bakery in the biulding (clearly lost)
- he has a kid at home that he cares of (aka hot single dad)
Mitsuhide:
- runs a security business on his own and works with Nobunaga often enough to protect him and protect those who need it
- his prices are reasonable and those who work for him get a reasonable pay
- he was given the business when the old CEO stepped down because he snaked up the ladder
- none of the top personnel really like him and try to undermine him (failed every time)
- loves unreasonably spicy food
- none knows much about his personal life outside of work
- takes part in different arts sometimes in his free time
Mitsunari:
- literally the best HR manager ever?
- idk why i chose that for him, but it's needed for him
- he does have a worker who comes in and checks on him to be sure he ate and slept
- history buff, specifically tactical history
- everyone in the office loves him for how well he treats people, those who dislike him don't often last long because they often were ones who cause issues and it's taken as a red flag by Hideyoshi
- basically Hideyoshi's son and there are jokes about that all the time
Masamune:
- boxer or some sort of fighting
- he lost his eye to cancer at a young age but manages to stay kicking
- one of the most popular boxers due to his story, personality, and looks
- boxer name is the 'one eyed dragon'
- often gives what he doesn't need to charities that support those with cancer and cancer reasearch
- he is the type of star that absolutely goes to every Make a Wish kid(or simmilar) he can
- sometimes helps at Nobunaga's company moveing big things
Ieyasu:
- Vet
- he cares for literally everyone's pets and they are all in optimal health
- Mitsunari sometimes gets shit for having Kitry be free roaming
- he absolutely takes amazing care of any animal he is given
- maybe a little more pricy than you would expect
- you do get discounts if you come often, though
- he isn't the most popular doctor because of that, but those who stick with him for long times like him
Ramaru:
- he is a nurse
- I just think he would want to help people as much as he can, so he went into nursing
- absolutely loved by the paitents he cares for
- at the end of his training and is super excited
- he helps his dad at the temple on his off days so he doesn't feel lonely often
- he has the biggest heart but can also tear down anyone who needs to be knocked down ten pegs
- fear the bean
- he also sometimes volunteers for Nobunaga's organization
Keji:
- obviously an actor?
- he is apart of a small group in Japan that is locally popular
- Mitsuhide sometimes joins in when he can, then things get a little hectic
- gets drinks with Kentesugu often
- he also volunteers for Nobunaga's organization sometimes too, hosting fundraisers with performances
- loud and proud Pansexual, he doesn't give two shits if anyone dislikes him because of that
- absolutely does drag
Kicho:
- Worked for Nobunaga for a while until he was poached for another company
- absolute sexual tension between him and Nobunaga, but neither did shit about this
- he ended up running the company he went into
- journey of self-discovery led him to learn that he was agender bisexual (male preference) but he is more quiet about this
- this man is in therapy and cut contact with his family after his self-discovery
- sometimes visits Nobunaga, now realizing his big ass crush on the man
- rip Kicho i love you
Kennyo:
- he is a Monk again
- most of his group was wiped out due to a deadly illness
- he barely got any help during or after the events
- absolutely resents organizations like Nobunaga's that reach outside of Japan and not help those within the country first
- he is working of rebuilding his local group and community
- he visits Shingen in hospital sometimes, glad that his son takes good care of him
Motanari:
- ._. Drug dealer-
- he is one that is also a little hooked on them so he is extra shady for that
- People often go to him if they want to be slowly weened off of drugs
- don't cross him tough, if you do- say hello to the gutters-
- he doesn't believe he can get clean, so he helps others instead
- if you piss him off, well, the world is going to burn
Shengen:
- sick in the hospital getting treatment
- flirts with the female nurses so he got assigned Ramaru so he could fucking s t o p
- he lost his family and home in a fire, so he doesn't know what is going to happen if he gets better
- Yukimura helps him since he saved him from that fire since it also took his own family
- he tries to get Yuki to stop working so hard for him, but that fails
- Kennyo sometimes visits and pays some of Shengen's bills. He also says he can stay with him if needed
- Shengen honestly couldn't feel more loved at these times
Kenshin:
- I absolutely love the idea that he is a street racer.
- like he is the biggest adrenaline junkie ever and will do random deadly things
- he couldn't be with his first love because family rejected their relationship and lost her to suicide
- ever since then he has felt hollow and probably a little hooked on drugs with Motanari as his dealer
- he has also offered to house Shingen when he leaves the hospital
- his family has passed by now, so he lives with Yuki and Sauske to not be alone
Sauske:
- same job, same nerd, failed to time travel though
- he was dejected by that. Yuki comforted him while Kenshin scholded him for not taking him with
- he triple checks Kenshin's drugs, so they at least won't kill him
- he also helps Yuki with doctors' payments, so he doesn't have to work all the time
- sometimes street races with/against Kenshin
- he also looks into the concept of reincarnation scientifically
Yukimura:
- has 5 part-time jobs literally anywhere.
- overworked and done with coustmour service
- five cups of expresso and murder
- thank God for Sauske being there and helping pay the bills
- when he manages to get time off, he sees Shengen
- other times he plays games with Sauske to blow off steam. Sauske always wins
Yoshimoto:
- literally anything creative? Idk any creative field I can see him in
- family wanted him to be a doctor, but he didn't and ended up disowned
- is in the house with Kenshin, Sauske, and Yuki the most and does most of the cleaning and buys the groceries
- he doesn't buy the sake. That can be left to Kenshin since he drinks it by the bottle and immune
- he is very approciated in his new chaos family and absolutely loves them and will die for them
Kentesugu:
- Kenshin saved him from getting into shit with some gangs and he absolutely approciates that
- so now he lives next to the chaos house on his own (it would get too crowded and they can stay over whenever he doesn't care)
- he would work as a manager somewhere, maybe? It may change when I do his route
- wherever he is, he is listened to and respected because he respects everyone's time and makes sure to follow the contracts to a T
- do know, he has many malicious compliance stories
Don't feel guilty for not spending money on your babies because you're spending time~
✨️ Do Dailies and Weeklies
Save diamonds and only use them to pull for 5-star Limited Memories
Advise not to pull for every Limited 5-star memory
Only pull for memories that you're sure to read more than once/ your #1 LI
You can watch the others on YT instead
Share to get 10💎
Wish Explorer, Photo Studio, Events
Claim: Share icon (with diamond beside it) -> Choose social media option -> Go back to LADs (do not need to actually post or share)
Claw Machine - Collect n different plushies to get 30💎
Use up your 3 weekly attempts to get new plushies
Prioritize catching the Rate UP plushies if there is one
Claim: With Him -> Collections -> Fun Collection -> Reward icon (bottom right) -> Claim diamonds
Kitty Cards - Collect n Meow badges to get 💎
Follow @/hananoami's hack to get diamonds without playing!
Claim: With Him -> Collections -> Fun Collection -> Meow Badges-> Reward icon (top left of card pack) -> Claim diamonds
Rank up all memories
Get rank up shards from Galaxy Explorer
You can also get them by purchasing a card in Wishing Well (Shop -> Exchange) but spend wisely
Exchange Event currency for the 3-star event memories to rank them up!
Claim: Memories -> Select the card with a red dot on its top right -> Rank up -> Rank up button -> Reward icon (top right) -> -> Claim diamonds
Upgrade 5-star cards to Lv.20, claim 50💎
That way you're guaranteed diamonds without using too many resources
After the card is already at Lv.20, focus on upgrading memories that would give you diamonds at the next closest level
Get as many Achievements as you can
Look through the achievements that haven't been completed yet
Use Workout feature for 5 minutes for each LI to unlock the achievement of working out with them for 60 days. It will still run in the background as you switch to other apps too. Each gives 50💎 (Note: Time consuming)
Claim: Hunter EXP (LV. bar on top left) -> medal icon (third icon at bottom right) -> Claim diamonds
Hidden achievements
There are achievements that are not listed and do give you diamonds too
Found from X: @/961yoru @/miiritoki @/Crownchie @/nuiisorbit (do like their post for their hard work~)
— summary: you’ve convinced yourself that this is normal. routine. that you’re used to this, sitting like a fly on the wall while their relationship blossoms like a flower turned towards the sun before you. so why does it still hurt?
— cw: reader is not mc, reader implied to be femme, assassin!reader, unrequited feelings, mentions of blood & injuries, jealousy, profanity, sexual content, fade-to-black, self-destructive behavior, somewhat of a slow burn, mdni
— notes: thank you so much for reading! [ part 1 | part 2 ]
— now playing: bmf - sza
Breakfast is uncharacteristically quiet.
At least, for the three of you, it is. The silence makes way for the lazy swish of cars on the road, the clatter of cutlery against plates, and the idle chatter of the cafe’s other patrons.
It’s balmy outside. The type of weather that pastes your blouse to your skin and creates a fine film of sweat on the back of your neck. The kind that welcomes mosquitos and makes showering beforehand pointless. And it’s so obnoxiously bright out, nary a cloud in the sky. But you figure you're being unreasonably antsy because you’re hungover and still a little tired.
Despite the climate, your ragtag team is seated beneath a cafe’s awning, scarfing down food to battle the effects of your collective hangovers before jetting back to Linkon.
Typically, Ms. Hunter would be on about something, filling the space with her animated talk, with you and Sylus occasionally chiming in to tease her or exchange covert words concerning upcoming missions. But she’s still a little worse for wear, with dark lenses perched on her nose and a wrinkle between her brows as she pushes food around her plate.
You snort around a mouthful of eggs at her plight, tucking your amusement behind your hand. Decide to incite a little mischief to distract yourself from the weather and the creeping feeling of unease brewing in your gut.
“Someone had a rough night,” you tease, reaching for your orange juice.
She glowers at you. Sticks out her tongue, flipping you the bird. You snort into your drink, nearly sending pulp flying every which way.
“Not my fault you have the tolerance of a three-year-old.”
Your eyes crease at the corners whilst you watch her work up to a retort, mouth hanging open like a fish out of water. But before she can get a word out—
“Ladies,” Sylus interjects like a distant clap of thunder pushing across a dark horizon. He’s seated between you at the round, iron-wrought table, arms crossed over a broad chest. Sunglasses shroud scarlet intentions, but you don’t miss the twitch of a silver brow nor the humor meddling with his voice. “Play nice.”
There’s finality there. He speaks to you like a referee. Like a father who’s caught his children roughhousing, and you both shrink beneath his mock disappointment.
“Besides,” Sylus continues, casting his amused gaze on you. “You weren’t in the best of shape yourself last night. Are you really in any position to talk?”
A hot rush of mortification wades over you. You're unsure of its source, whether at your memories of last night or how quickly he came to her defense.
And so what if you stumbled a bit down the hall, searching for your room?
You didn’t think he noticed after your exchange. Figured he retreated into his room, or worse—slipped across the hall to keep his hunter friend company into the wee hours of the morning while you tossed and turned, driven to hell by thoughts of them doing everything besides sleeping.
The recollection makes you bristle, and you turn a scowl down to your food. Grumbling, you plop a slice of toast onto the hunter’s plate. She glances at you, confusion pulling her lips down.
“Eat,” you order. “Feed a hangover, starve a cold.”
“I don’t think that’s how that goes,” she counters, a pout evident in her voice. But she doesn’t protest, sitting up in her seat to nibble on your peace offering.
You resist an impulse to pat her head, your ire sloughing off, traded for something like fondness. You want to ruffle locks of silken ebony because she’s effortlessly adorable, pulling at those little heartstrings you’d worked so hard to conceal.
Sylus beats you to the punch, leaning forward to mold long fingers around the round of her head. The world slows, casting a special spotlight on the pair of them.
You ignore how your chest tightens at the scene. At the affectionate little tug of his lips as Ms. Hunter cants her face towards him, cheeks full and expression doe-like. You try to pretend like it doesn’t make you sick with resentment. Once upon a time, he used to look at you like that.
Fuck.
What are you thinking? He is your boss, and she is your charge—your friend. There’s no reason to feel like this, especially considering you practically shoved Sylus into her arms, reasoning you never stood a chance in hell with him.
You snap back to the present, and suddenly, breakfast isn’t so appetizing. You push around your cold eggs as Sylus and Ms. Hunter slide into easy conversation. You feel like a husk of yourself amid them. Like you’re impeding on something intimate, and your stomach lurches when they draw you into their chat every so often as if pitying you.
You’ve convinced yourself that this is normal. Routine. That you’re used to this, sitting like a fly on the wall while their relationship blossoms like a flower turned towards the sun. And yet, you’ve never been more eager to return to the N109 Zone. To leave these green-eyed thoughts on this island and get back to your distracting life, luring terrible people to their demise and wiping the scourge of man off the face of the planet.
You suddenly straighten, clearing the phlegm from your throat. Your silverware clatters against your plate as you shove it away, eyes regretfully shifting between them.
“So, what time do we leave?” There’s a whisper of exasperation in your tone, but you quickly conceal it with that playful arrogance you’re known for.
Sylus and the hunter trade looks of confusion and humor, blind to the turmoil of your mind slowly creeping through the folds and staining your pride like ink spilled into water.
“Eager to get back to work, aren’t you?”
You scoff, taking up your fork, clueless to scarlet eyes studying the crown of your head, narrowing at the apprehensive slope of your voice. “You have no idea.”
—
It’s a pleasure to dance. Of course, it always is. It’s one of the few times you feel desired. Wanted. Useful when your hands aren’t speckled with blood and your knuckles aren’t purpling from bashing someone’s face in for taunting The Devil.
Dancing is a versatile skill you’ve acquired with time and practice. It's one of the few pleasures you’ve drawn from this fickle life. One of the few things you kept from a past veiled in darkness, the rest tucked away in the hulls of your psyche.
All eyes are on you. Gazes burning with assorted degrees of desire, envy, and awe beneath the tawny glow of the stage lights. The attention makes you warm and tingly, and your lips salaciously curve as you move your body in time with the music, casting an inadvertent spell on all who dare to watch.
You’re the center of attention without trying to be and without the influence of your Evol. Of course, you usually are. He’s even told you so. Customers often flock to Sylus’ nightclubs to see you dance, hoping to one day have your affections.
Or to fuck you.
You rarely entertain these people. Not unless you have to. Not unless Sylus sicks you on them to further his goals or take down his competition. You’re ever the faithful lapdog, tuned to your boss’ every command, and it makes you sick with how loyal you are to him sometimes. A part of you feels you owe him for this life you lead. He’d snatched you from an impenetrable darkness. Renewed your sense of purpose and redirected your desire for revenge.
For now, you have this. The recognition of others despite how misplaced it is. They want you for your body, for the promise of what your facade offers. Deep down, you crave something more, something real. But you tamp down those feelings as you bite your lip, putting on a good show, hands smoothing over the surge of your hips. And you’re spurred by the whoops and whistles and shouts of your name as the lights dim, signaling the conclusion of your performance.
Your chest heaves with the effort of breathing, and your cheeks ache with a smile as you pose. The crowd's cheers dampen the violent thrum of your heartbeat—chase away the cacophony of your mind, adrenaline spuming through you like an erupting geyser.
You look over your shoulder towards the ceiling, catching scarlet-spun eyes from the upper floor’s rail, and your grin twitches the slightest bit. It’s a rush, having the attention of strangers. Having their desire, their yearning. But his attention is much more addicting like Nicotine furling between your teeth. For a moment, you feel seen. Like you’re the center of his universe, and not the pretty, bright-eyed damsel with enough room in her heart to house the galaxy.
Something flashes in his eyes, and the world fades. You mistake it for tenderness. Just wishful thinking. He would never choose you. He’s had four years to make you his.
Why would he suddenly choose to acknowledge you now?
—
Once the adrenaline ebbs and clubbers flood the dance floor, you’re nestled behind the crowd, leaning against the sticky countertop of the bar, clutching a glass of something acrid and glacial between your fingers—something to take the edge off. To mute the insistent pulse of your nerves.
The music thumps beneath your feet, accompanied by the sparkling chatter of the club’s other clients. Yet you still hear him amid the chaos—the familiar curl of a voice around the vowels of your name. You fix him with an amused, sultry look beneath Lux’s customary red hue.
“When are you gonna let me take you out on a date?” he asks, worn knuckles easing down the slope of your arm. You track his audacity with your eyes, jerking away from his unwarranted attention, ignoring the goosebumps igniting across your skin.
This, too, is routine—one of Lux’s regulars throwing himself at your feet, begging for an opportunity to court you. He’s been on like this for months, entertaining your game of cat and mouse. Maybe you’ve given him a false sense of hope because he’s yet to let up. In fact, he’s grown bolder with his advances lately, often popping up when you least expect him, vying for your heart.
It’s endearing, really, having someone who genuinely wants you. Or maybe he doesn’t, but you convince yourself otherwise. Play a sick little game with yourself, fooling yourself into thinking that maybe there’s more to you than your reputation builds you up to be.
You turn towards him, crossing your legs, the leather barstool sticky beneath your thighs. You lean into your knuckles, studying dark brows, whiskey-infused eyes, and full lips. You end your excursion at the thick of his throat, excitement prickling like static in your chest. He’s easy on the eyes, tone velvet smooth. Had you not been a femme fatale, you might’ve given him the time of day.
But for now—
“You couldn’t handle me,” you counter, reveling in how the smugness melts from his face.
He chuckles at your cheekiness, sweeping the tails of his blazer back and stuffing his hands into his pockets. Squares his shoulders, standing akimbo like he’s preparing for a fight, though he might as well be, stepping to you like this.
“Still holding out for that old man, I see.”
It is your turn to wear a wavering smile. Your turn to look silly, the proverbial knife driven into your stomach and twisted.
You scoff with a sneer, dumping the last vestiges of your drink down your throat. You tear yourself from your seat, reaching past the gentleman to snatch your coat from the counter, pinning him with a haughty look.
“I’m not holding out for anyone, fucker. And even if I were, it wouldn't be your slow ass.”
With a huff, you brush past him, wending through the crowd gathered on the dance floor to retreat into your dressing room.
You try vainly to contain a scowl, knowing you’ve been read like the deckled pages of a book deep down.
Maybe you refuse to move on because you feel like you’d betray Sylus if you did. How, exactly, you’re unsure. He’s had no problem betraying you, quietly shoving you out of the picture in favor of someone who’s hardly seen him bleed.
—
“Do you like anybody?” Ms. Hunter asks above the steady purr of the SUV’s engine.
Her question nearly floors you. Your grip on the steering wheel tightens slightly, and you almost choke on your spittle.
You’re stuck in traffic together.
Knowing the holidays loomed around the bend, someone decided it would be an ideal day to go to the mall. Of course, you weren’t the only people out on the road.
So naturally, she’s bored, unused to the silence stretching between you. The low croon of the music spilling from the speakers does nothing to ease the tension.
You glance at her, and she’s wearing a Cheshire Cat-like grin, studying you from the passenger seat. You swallow thickly, adjusting your shades on your face, staring at the cars sluggishly easing up beyond the windshield. “I don’t like very many people.”
An exasperated sigh later.
“C’mon! There’s gotta be someone you like. Ya’ know.” She pitches herself closer, her mischievous grin curling in your periphery, and she pokes your side with a pointed finger to get a rise out of you.
“Someone that gets your heart racing. Someone who makes your face all hot. Makes butterflies swarm in your tummy.”
You know exactly where this is going. Had you not valued your friendship—or whatever you call this complicated mashup between you—you would reveal the inner workings of your mind. But how insane would you sound, telling the hunter the person who gets your blood racing is the very same man she has tucked in her back pocket?
So, you deflect. With a sardonic smirk, you jest, “You get my heart racing when you fuck up our meetings.”
You squint and flinch away with a laugh in your throat as she swats you, whining at your cruelty.
“You suck,” pouts Ms. Hunter, falling back into her seat with crossed arms. “Bet it’s that guy who always stalks you at Lux.”
You side-eye her in the rearview, placatingly patting her head. “I like you, stupid. Isn’t that good enough?”
Maybe one day.
One day, you’ll have the intestinal fortitude to tell her the truth—to tell them both the truth. How you’re falling apart at the stitching, the world you know falling away from beneath your feet.
—
You’re not as strong as you let on. You’re human beneath that flirtatious exterior—still a woman with wants and needs, not immune to the temptations of the flesh. Which is why you find yourself at his doorstep, a glacial, errant breeze ruffling the tails of your coat as the silvery moon haloes your silhouette.
He leans against the doorframe, brown eyes simmering with intrigue as he takes you in. Dark hair sweeps over raised brows. “What made you change your mind?”
You shrug, hands stuffed in your pockets, a quirk to your lips. “Maybe I just need a friend.”
He chuckles low, arms crossed. “A friend, huh?”
“Yeah.”
There’s no mistaking the pitch of your voice. The air charges with something amorous as he ushers you into his apartment. You brush past him, tamping down your dignity as you disappear into the warm sanctity of his home, his hand reassuring at the small of your back.
Had you taken the time to survey your surroundings, you would’ve noticed a set of beady, crimson eyes peering through the inky night, watching you from their perch atop a powerline.
And had you further investigated, you would’ve heard the familiar whirr of machinery as the iridescent outline of sleek feathers recorded your every move.
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