The fanfic-in-a-fanfic setup makes this pretty easy to make canonical actually. Though I did plan to have swordsmanship be the one traditionally Japanese thing Hayato's bad at actually, but luckily that fits as it just makes the last scene all the funnier.
Edit: Also, since Ryoichi and co didn't get to infiltrate the cathedral like he planned, this is actually a clever way of seeing what that could look like (well, to an extent anyway) without even needing to go AU
I'm glad Miyako is enough of a gremlin to canonically write a BL fic about her friends. I briefly considered that she'd change the names, at least, but brushed that aside as being obnoxious to read.
I'm sure this is exactly how an infiltration mission would have gone!
On another topic, Rosemary in Full Bloom doubles as yet another literary reference, this one to The Giver where Rosemary was the name of the previous Receiver, who has similar powers. The plant Rosemary has long been linked with memory, which is probably what The Giver was referencing.
And yes, I do have plans for Parsley, Sage, and Thyme in Full Bloom
Behold the Japan Battle Royal to decide who gets the honor of having any alien cosplay as them defending Sfira. (Grudge matches entirely coincidental, but all participants are encouraged to trash talk about it for the sake of the audience.)
The real question is if we can get Miyako the MC spot, or if she's gonna be limited to acting as Koyomi's coach. (Now, someone might argue her qualifications for either position, but when has something major like that ever stopped her?)
Anyway, yeah, this wasn't so much a triumphant victory as it was just getting hell out of dodge. I can just see most of this coming back in the future one way or another.
As for the Exp distribution, physique already has some points invested in it, so we might as well level it up, rather than go for an even split. Much the same for Miyako's emotional intelligence.
[X] Technique 75
[X] Physique 125
[X] 175 XP to Emotional Strength
[X] 25 XP to Emotional Intelligence
I don't wanna say too much since the Fountain of Youth arc is still on the table (it might even be the next arc). But for what would've particularly happened had you picked Fountain of Youth for Arc 5, you would've met Hibiki instead of Vasilisa at Sekigahara (though Sfira would probably still be there), which would've made Koyomi go on a rant about Hibiki fighting for the Frost Fair instead of having to keep that bottled up to deal with the Earthly Purified. As for EP, they still might have been mentioned but wouldn't have appeared directly.
As for your question about what'll happen to Emi, that is something I plan to address next arc regardless
About how what makes an omake canon-suitable or not, in general is crossovers are non-canon for legal reasons, and anything obviously AU, though this isn't a complete list.
On another topic, as we've concluded our longest arc, I was wondering which arc so far has been people's favourite?
Probably Lazarus. Yumeni and BL are the best antagonists we have, while exsisting on very different ends of the spectrum and thus inserting a different kind of drama into the proceedings. Also Miyako and Koyomi both get to play into the climax, even if at least one of them probably wishes she didn't.
BL, the greatest threat to any significant female character.[citation]
Jokes aside, yeah. Lazarus feels like a big turning point in the series. The stakes are escalated well beyond the personal problems of prior arcs, two overarching antagonists are introduced, and our protagonists have a personal stake in their conflict with them. (Especially the Koyomi/Yumemi lovers-to-enemies drama.)
If I had to pick, I'd pick that one...but it doesn't feel fair. I wonder if I'd feel the same way about I Am The Resurrection if it came before Lazarus, if IATR was the arc that escalated the stakes and introduced major antagonists.
[X] 175 XP to Emotional Strength
[X] 25 XP to Emotional Intelligence
[X] Technique 75
[X] Physique 125
[Koyomi's Physique has reached the Rank of Knight]
[Miyako's Emotional Intelligence has reached the Rank of Knight]
At first all Miyako could feel was searing cold. As her vision slowly came to, she saw nothing but icicles the size of trees piercing up out of the ground in every direction. Her trembling breath already clouding her face, she then froze herself as she saw what was on those icicles.
A dead body was impaled on each one, sometimes several on a single spike. Each it pained her to recognise, these bodies were of the same soldiers who'd been killed by Blue Lotus the day he broke out. No, it wasn't just the soldiers impaled here, there were others she could recognise even clearer...
Suddenly Miyako felt her feet grown numb like they'd been buried under a great weight, so she looked to see they'd now been encased in ice. Ice that was slowly reaching up her body. Or rather, as she saw reflected in the ice, the body she'd left behind, when her pre-transition pre-passing self from school stared back at her.
One by one the dead soldiers started turning into toys, some wooden some plastic some ragdoll, each new turning happening closer and closer to Miyako. The whole ground then rumbled, though the ice binding Miyako still didn't crack. She could see there were creatures burrowing beneath, one of which came right for her and leapt up. In her final moments, Miyako found herself staring helpless into the rows of frozen teeth of a Heart Leech...
And then she was back in her room at the shrine, having woken as a sweaty wreck in her bed. From the moonlight streaking in, she could tell it was nowhere near morning. But I can't go back to bed to... that.
The night grew no shorter, but morning as always did slowly arrive. When she first met Asahi for the day out in the courtyard, her boss instantly noticed the heavy bags beneath her eyes. "Did you sleep alright?" Asahi began innocuously enough.
Miyako bit her lower lip but then answered, "Er, of course I did! Okay, I kinda had a bad dream, b-but that was it. Really." And no Hoshizora-san, so that's good.
That made Asahi narrow her eyes at her, at which Miyako gasped and asked, "Oh no, you don't think it was a prophetic dream, do you? Like I've read all about those in ma- books, and they say they-"
"I doubt that. The only two occasions I know where prophetic dreams can occur is either at New Years', we can obviously rule that out, or when a god is making contact with the dreamer," Asahi said. With what a mess Miyako was in that morning, she was careful as she asked, "Nozawa-chan, how much can you say about what happened in your dream?"
"Ah, w-well," Miyako flinched at the thought of remembering a nightmare like that, though since Asahi had directly asked, she now found it impossible not to remember. Maybe putting it into words will take away its power, maybe? "All these soldiers were impaled on icicles, then they were turned into toys like Freesia could do, then the ice got me too, then a big Heart Leech jumped out of the ground at me!" She found herself panting after all that.
Asahi nodded at this with a straight face, then said, "Nozawa-chan, sounds to me like this dream has nothing to do with prophecy, I'd call it a warning at most. From what I know of these affairs Koyomi's been pulling you into, it seems they've started taking a toll on your psyche."
A gasping Miyako then said, "No, you've got it wrong. Arisugawa-sama hasn't been dragging me into anything. Hoshizora-san invited us to the base, and after that it was Freesia who attacked us, while Arisugawa-sama tried to keep me as far away from the cult as possible." Much as I wanted to help.
"Even so," Asahi said, hands on hips, "while I appreciate Koyomi making the effort to look after you, I think the safest idea is for you to stop seeing her. At least for now." As if anticipating what Miyako's protest, Asahi added, "Nozawa-chan, you come back and tell me your experiences having been giving you nightmares, and that Koyomi now has a whole cult after her, of all things. How else do you think I'd react?"
"Yeah but-" Miyako tried to say, but was cut down by Asahi's glare, so just mumbled, "I know, I know." For all Asahi meant well, an authority figure telling her to keep away from someone she was happy seeing was a little too familiar to Miyako.
"Good," Asahi said, "I'll call Koyomi about this, I just hope she'll respond," she grumbled, but went back to normal with, "Now Nozawa-chan, perhaps some kagura practice, which you're well overdue for, ought to get your mind off things? Plus, you'll now have more time to spare for applying to university."
Only then did Miyako realise that getting into college had now been slipping her mind, with her journalistic thoughts all taken up by exposing the truth of RUNE and Blue Lotus.
Her subsequent attempt to dance the kagura could charitably be called 'a step up from last time', though Asahi was still left shaking her head.
Once her break came, Miyako was approached by Hayato who told her, "I've... been told Mother says you should now stay away from Arisugawa-sama. So, I got to thinking that I could act as a go-between, send messages back and forth between both of you. It aligns perfectly with my schedule; I'd been planning to meet up more with Arisugawa-sama anyway."
"Wow, that's nice of you, Higashi-kun. Except..." Miyako began, internally debated if it was a good idea to say what she was about to, then said anyway, "Why don't we both just head over to Arisugawa-sama? She probably won't care, and what your mum doesn't know won't hurt her, right? Besides, we're already twenty."
Hayato had to chuckle. "I do suppose if you're still living with her, Mother will always treat you as her child. Okay, we'll proceed with your plan," he said, but still had to twitch, "though if Mother does find out, well, don't say I didn't warn you."
Miyako let out an immense sigh, then said, "Yeah, I suppose you've got a point, but eh. For now, let's go!" taking off with Hayato by his arm.
On the walk there, Hayato had something else to bring up, "It's good that we're taking the roads and not the woods. Because since you came back from Sekigahara, there's been an... unusual presence lurking there. I'd call no less than some sort of yokai, broad a word as that is. That swan we happened upon has been in an uproar over it."
"The woods?" Miyako asked, then shrugged, "Eh, that's probably just Sfira. They've been hanging out there for now while we get, er, things sorted with them."
When the name 'Sfira' left Hayato with a blank expression, Miyako said, "Oh right. Er, you remember the Dandelionhearts, don't you? Sfira's from their homeworld but they're made of bamboo instead. They wanted to see Earth for themselves, so they touched down at Sekigahara." Kamizono flashing back into her mind, she quickly added, "And no, they don't know anything about the Resurrection either, sorry."
"Are you- are you saying they're an alien?" Hayato gasped; a rock thrown into the lack of his usual calm. He then breathed and said, "Okay, it certainly isn't implausible. Aliens have been proven to exist since before I was born, we were in the midst of a whole war between them. It's just, they're the like I've only heard about till now, it's bizarre to think one's just living in the woods right now. Oh, I of course take it Arisugawa-sama's looking after them?"
"Yeah, she is," Miyako said, for now anyway. "And hey, it was seriously amazing for me to learn more people from Pathragada were still interested in our little old blue dot too."
"Yes, it's most noble of Arisugawa-sama to extend such hospitality," Hayato smiled, even if Miyako's point had been more about Sfira.
The two eventually reached and entered Koyomi's house on the edge of town, where they found it... surprisingly well-lit and dusted. Heading into the kitchen showed this was due to no change in preference from Koyomi, but that the mangaka Emi Daimon had been busily scrubbing the whole place and was now doing the dishes. She even had an apron on.
Koyomi, sitting at the table with a meal she most definitely didn't cook, looked at Miyako and groaned. "I've kept telling Daimon that she doesn't have to do any of this, but she still won't listen," she said.
"Well, you are so graciously letting me take refuge at your house, it's the most I can do to be of service," Emi said and even curtseyed. at least her hands seemed to be waterproof.
"Last I checked, I never sent out any want ads for a maid," Koyomi muttered, "let alone a friggin' housewife. You don't have to debase yourself like this." Not that Emi had any response to that.
"Though if you ever do need any help around the house, Arisugawa-sama," Hayato then spoke up a little too eagerly, "I'd be glad to offer my assistance. Mother can vouch for my maintenance of the shrine, so I assure you I can do a better job than- er, I don't believe we've been acquainted," he then looked at Emi, with Miyako noticing his eyes narrowing at her.
"You still don't get it, do you?" Koyomi rolled her eyes at him.
"Ah, this is Daimon Emi-san," Miyako introduced, "She's a famous mangaka, you might know her as 'Miss Peel' or 'Jireno'. I've got all her stuff, and she's a Hanazakari too! She's been staying with Arisugawa-sama to, er, detox from life and stuff," she thought it best to simplify.
Emi turned around and said, "Oh me, famous? No, barely that. I do draw and write of course, but right now I'm just paying Arisugawa-sama back her gracious generosity, that's all."
"Yes, the name 'Daimon Emi' rings no bells for me," Hayato said, his eyes taking on a green tint. He did admit, "most of the artists and authors I know are from centuries back, so I'm probably not the right person to ask. Oh, except Arisugawa-sama when it comes to authors, of course," his gaze brightened when he looked back to her.
Already Miyako could sense there was tension brewing between Hayato and Emi, and Koyomi was right in the middle being pampered like the princess regardless of her own feelings.
Article:
So Miyako thought to diffuse the situation by:
[ ] Asking the two to display their respective talents, emphasising their differences.
[ ] Separating the two by taking Hayato to properly meet the nearby Sfira.
[ ] Separating the two by showing Emi around town.
[ ] Asking Emi if there was any housework left for Hayato, keep the two pleased if not Koyomi.
[ ] Dirtying and darkening Koyomi's house, since it seemed to be what Koyomi really wanted.
[ ] Stopping the two and asking them to listen to Koyomi.
[ ] Write-in.
[X] Asking the two to display their respective talents, emphasising their differences.
This is such a silly idea, we need an archery vs manga contest.
Miyako's situation here with Asahi demonstrates the danger of charity like this, or having a living situation dependent on your job. Miyako is an adult and able to talk to whoever the hell she wants, but Asahi has incredible leverage over her. Grumble grumble authority figures.
Maybe Kuramazov's next work will be a manga, fulfilling a childhood dream?
How long has it been since Koyomi gave Miyako the go-ahead to tell the world about Blue Lotus? Kind of hoping that happens soon.
[X] Separating the two by showing Emi around town.
As loath as I am to break up such a budding new relationship, I'm curious to get some one on one time with her. (Plus having Miyako scoop out the relevant gossip from her.)
It's amusing to me how you've gone from being excited about Emi, doing a 180 on her after learning she was a cultist, and now coming 360 on her via shipping
It's amusing to me how you've gone from being excited about Emi, doing a 180 on her after learning she was a cultist, and now coming 360 on her via shipping
When Miyako first met Asahi for the day out in the courtyard, her boss instantly noticed the heavy bags beneath her eyes. "Did you sleep alright?" Asahi began innocuously enough.
Miyako bit her lower lip but then answered, "Er, of course I did! Okay, I kinda had a bad dream, b-but that was it. Really." That made Asahi narrow her eyes at her, at which Miyako gasped and asked, "Oh no, you don't think it was a prophetic dream, do you? Like I've read all about those in ma- books, and they say they-"
Miyako. You are a terrible liar. Stop trying, you're just wasting your time.
Only then did Miyako realise that getting into college had now been slipping her mind, with her journalistic thoughts all taken up by exposing the truth of RUNE and Blue Lotus.
"Though if you ever do need any help around the house, Arisugawa-sama," Hayato then spoke up a little too eagerly, "I'd be glad to offer my assistance."
"You still don't get it, do you?" Koyomi rolled her eyes at him.
It's amusing to me how you've gone from being excited about Emi, doing a 180 on her after learning she was a cultist, and now coming 360 on her via shipping
