Hakuoki: Harada pt 1
Jul. 4th, 2018 07:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alias_sqbrBackground information and links to previous posts
So I have caught a cold :( And the idea of enduring the repeated Sick Woobie tropes on Okita's path while especially sick myself was too much to bear: I started empathising with Okita, it was very disturbing.
So for now I'm starting again with Harada Sanosuke, the good natured flirt! It's really sweet so far, if a little benevolently sexist.
** Spoilers**
Apologies in advance for any cold-induced incoherence.
Anyway, I'm curious to see where this is going to go, unlike the other original love interests Harada doesn't really have a hook like "the young one", "the villain" etc he's just...a likeable, sensible dude. Someone in the comments said they'd done this path and it was good but mostly about Chiruzu's feelings about her situation which sounds interesting.
I did get to the first sexy blood drinking on Okata's path, he was endearingly apologetic. And then, while trying and failing to find a summary of the rest of his path, I found out the blood drinking wasn't in the original version of the game, which made me imagine the moment at Otomate headquarters when they were doing the remake where someone went wait...WAIT. I HAVE SUCH A GOOD IDEA FOR HOW TO IMPROVE OUR VAMPIRE DATING SIM :D :D
I am so bad at spelling these names consistently, I apologise to my readers and the ghosts of theShinzenagumi Shisenagume Shinsengumi.
Right at the start I get Chizuru to calmly accept her death and Harada admires her stoicism before puting his hand on his blade. Saito tells hims to wait (Saitoooo) and then
Harada: True, it seems like a waste. Not every day you meet a girl with that kind of gusto.
Nagakura: A GIRL?? BUT SHE'S WEARING PANTS.
Not every girl is a geisha, Nagakura :P
Every time someone says it's obvious Chizuru is a girl I think "SHE COULD BE TRANS". Self, they are from 1864, they can be forgiven for not thinking of that. I GUESS.
So Chizuru is sitting in her room feeling down about her situation and Harada comes in to see why she's still awake, and then tries cheer her up? IS HIS SCHTICK THAT HE IS CAPABLE OF EMOTIONAL LABOUR?? THE NICHEST KINK OF ALL.
He takes her out for a midnight stroll, even though it's very early in the game and she's supposed to be confined to her room.
Chizuru: Are you sure this is ok?
Harada: It's fine, if you try to escape I can always kill you ;)
Chizuru: Thanks!
Harada: Dude I just threatened to kill you, don't thank me!
Someone who realises threatening to kill someone is a bit alienating ;_;
Later he says "I thought you were some dumb kid, but you're not. In a few years you'll be a fine lady ;)" I forgot he's the only LI to really show much interest in Chizuru by default.
Harada's one of the taller guys but he still looks odd walking around with the giant ass spear he wields. It's never fully on screen and I wonder how long it is. *googles japanese spears* Over a head taller than the warrior in this image, that's a long spear!
Also: he is pretty cute :) IN YOUR FACE OKITA THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR...for being repeatedly sick... *cough*
Awwww so we come to the fourth time I have seen a particular battle, and the billionth I've seen battles in general, and for the first time I can remember someone (specifically Harada) actually takes time to stop and reassure random injured soldiers and mourn the dead. I mean I'm sure the others do do that but it shows what the focus of Harada's path is. Hijikata's path was all about The Burden Of Command but the game rather glossed over Saito, Heisuke and Okita all commanding their own divisions, since it conflicted with the vibe it was going for with them.
And at last, the gun using demon Shiranui's introduction scene and the start of his predicted rivalry with Harada! They're very good natured in their attempts to kill each other.
The walkthrough said to pick "Get rid of Shiranui" and I was expecting her to draw her sword, but instead she uses a logical argument about how the battle has shifted in a way that means there's no point for him to keep fighting, all while he's pointing a gun at her. And it works! Go Chizuru :D
Shiranui: You've got balls, kid! I have a good feeling about meeting new people today. But don't think I'll go easy on your guys next time.
Harada: Fine by me! I've already got plenty of friends, but I could use a new enemy.
Shiranui: Ok, but I'm not the kind of guy who enjoys the anticipation, if you know what I mean ;)
Keep it in your pants, boys, there's a lady present!
Poor Heisuke, all the other original Shinsengumi love interests get a sexy demonkismesis rival, and he gets Sanan.
Aw. Harada expresses concern for the well being of the retreating enemy. And then after Sanan becomes a vampire, Harada talks about his own worries and then prods Chizuru to be less stoic about her own.
I decided to rewatch the Shiranui bits of the scene where the demons announce that they are demons and want to kidnap Chizuru to be their Demon Princess, since I haven't watched it since my first playthrough.
And what happens is that Chizuru says she wants to stay, Yamazaki tries to drag her to safety, and Shiranui says "Hey, you gotta know when to let a girl go! The princess says she wants to stay!".
In a surprising upset, Shiranui "the demon whose only distinguishing feature is his gun" is forced to hand his "most boring villain" crown to Koaru the evil twin.
Shiranui: This was fun. Let's do it again when we have a little more time ;)
Harada, literal quote: Sorry, seeing guys isn't really my thing.
Aw, heartbreaker.
Chiruzu: I know those men say I have the blood of a demon, but I still don't really get why they're after me.
Harada: Obviously Kazama is in love with you ;)
Heisuke: WHY DO YOU MAKE EVERYTHING DIRTY
*ace headcanon for Heisuke intensifies*
Though actually Harada hasn't been especially flirty. He says early on that Chiruzu is pretty, and gives some friendly head pats, but that's about it. Heiksuke's the one who's all barely-repressed-puppydog-pining by this point in the narrative.
It's the "everyone goes out for a fancy meal and Hijikata flirts with a hot girl who turns out to be a ninja" scene! I wonder if I get to see the drunk calligraphy this time.
I forgot that this was how it played out:
Nagakura: Thanks for taking us out with the reward money you got from defeating those bad guys! But why did some of them escape?
Harada: It was dark >.> So, uh, Chizuru...get up to anything last night?
Chizuru: ...no?
Harada: Maybe I was wrong, it was pretty dark...but no. There was...a girl who looked just like Chizuru who helped the bad guys get away.
Nagakura: Weird!
Choice: I felt "Perplexed" "Strange"
Game, this is why I use a walkthrough. Turns out "Perplexed" is the Hijikata option, and "Strange" the Harada one. OH, OF COURSE.
Chiruzu wonders if it's ASTRAL PROJECTION omg girl you have already met your evil twin. OCCAMS RAZOR.
Then she remembers Kaoru, "even though she seemed like a nice normal girl who wouldn't do anything bad like that" lol lol.
Saito, who has apparently been there the whole time but had nothing to say if it wasn't about work: Tell me about this girl.
There is a little more general conversation and drinking.
Harada: OK TIME FOR THE MAIN EVENT
Me: Drunken calligraphy???? :D :D
*Harada pulls off his shirt*
Me: Um.
Harada: See this scar on my stomach? I got it proving my honour!
Nagakura: You mean you got it when some punk said you didn't have the guts to stick a sword in your belly so you did it then and there. What if you'd died?
Harada: I'd have crossed that bridge when I came to it! The point is this scar proves how much honour I have!
Nagakura: You're so lucky with that scar, Sano...
Nagakura: EVERY TIME YOU MOVE IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S TALKING :D :D
Harada: D:<
("Sano" is Harada's nickname, based on his given name "Sanosuke")
Me: This is better than anything I could have imagined.
Later, Chizuru gets sad about her dad and stuff.
Harada: Oh hey, do you know a girl named Sen?
Me: :D :D
Chizuru: Oh yes, my friend Sen, who I have hung out with repeatedly!
Me: YOU HAVE??
Harada: She said she wants to talk with you. I'll take you to meet with her.
And then he leaves them in a tea shop to "talk about girl things". There is a cute CG between Sen and Chiruzu I have never seen before. HAVE I SOMEHOW STUMBLED ONTO THE SEN PATH??
(Hey, I can dream)
Chizuru: So how did you know I was a girl when we first met?
Me: *yuri senses tingling*
AWWW. HARADA ORGANISED THE WHOLE THING COS CHIZURU SEEMED DOWN. BEST YURI WINGMAN.
Later she feels bad that she couldn't hide how sad she was.
Chizuru: Is it because I'm just an immature kid?
Harada: Well you're not an adult.
Chizuru: Oh :(
Harada: A little innocence and vulnerability makes a woman hotter ;)
Chizuru: I'm not sure how I feel about that...
Me: ME EITHER CHIZURU
Harada: Just be yourself. It's the mature thing to do.
Me: Hmm. You're still on thin ice, yuri wingman.
Ha! The "Okita encounters and confronts Kaoru about working with the bad guys" scene whizzed past me on "skip read" mode and it's just occurred to me it's a "hateflirt with demon nemesis" scene in disguise.
Chizuru asks Harada and Nagakura how they feel about Heisuke and Saito leaving to join the Imperialists, since they're such good friends with Heisuke. Nagakura expresses subdued annoyance at Heisuke, Harada says he must have his reasons.
Nagakura: So, Chizuru, you also noticed Kondou has been a crappy leader lately?
Chizuru: What? No?
Nagakura: And now we're probably going to have to fight our own friends.
Chizuru: Do you think it will come to that? What will you do?
Nagakura: They're the enemy! We kill them! ...is what Hijikata would say :(
Harada: ...yeah I don't know if I'll be able to do it either :(
YOU GUYS ;_;
Demon attack! It looks like Kazama is going to successfully kidnap Chizuru!
Shiranui: This was really easy :/
Harada: *attempts to spear him*
Shiranui: HARADA :D :D
Kazama: Pfft, you humans amuse me with your pathetic attempts to...
Hijikata: HEY, OVER HERE, I'M YOUR NEMESIS, REMEMBER?
Afterwards Chizuru feels bad for causing so much trouble and Harada says having her around encourages them all to fight better, because men naturally want to take care of women. So she's helping!
*sighs and reminds self he is from the 1890s*
(this is in fact one of the appeals of period het for me: the men are generally written as the (modern) author's ideal of male behaviour, which is usually more sexist than I like in contemporary men but quite enlightened for someone from the 19th century)
We see Harada training his men, with the amazing technique of paying attention to the other dude's emotional state. It's like he has a super power.
Chizuru: Um, so, you seem like the only emotionally mature, sensible adult in this whole game, and I have a little trouble reconciling that with you sticking a sword in your guts just to prove a point.
Harada: I've done all the dumb things. And suffered for them. I've lost friends, the family and I aren't really on speaking terms any more... I don't want to make those mistakes any more.
They are returning from a cute vegetable shopping trip when they bump into Heisuke, who they are forbidden to speak to since he's with Itou's Imperialists. Nobody speaks but they are all very sad.
Harada, to himself: Is everything I touch doomed to fall apart :(
*headcanons Heisuke and Harada as exes who broke up cos Heisuke is ace and Harada is not and nobody can stop me*
At the fight against Itou's Imperialists, who Heisuke is still with:
Amaguri: Give us the girl and noone gets hurt.
Chizuru, stepping forward: Will you really?
Shiranui: Aw, it's always nice to see some self sacrifice. But how about we just kill everyone and take you then ;)
Amaguri: *sighing deeply* Shiranui, demons aren't meant to break our promises.
Shiranui, wielding his gun: I'm a demon who lives in modern times! So, Harada, I actually like you, want to negotiate? How about you get on your knees and say "I don't care what happens to her, just let me live"
Harada, ignoring him: Chiruzu, not everyone has the balls to sacrifice themselves like that. But trust us to handle it. *points spear at Shiranui*
Me: Sorry, Shiranui, I think you just got hatedumped.
Nagakura: Hey, Heisuke, want to help us kill these jerks?
Heisuke: You guys, always dragging me into fights... :D :D
And now for the battle where Inoue dies.
Harada gets existential about what the Shinsengumi are even fighting for in this war. He reminisces about having been kicked out (of home? Of being a samurai?) for the "stabbing himself in the stomach" incident and being taken in by Kondou and Hijikata at their tiny struggling dojo. After that, the shogun's money was helpful, but their job was protecting Kyoto, which is something Harada can believe in.
Harada: We spent all this time protecting Kyoto, I don't want turn into a battlefield just so we can hash out who is better than who.
I saw "pretend to drink" coming up on the walkthrough and worried there was going to be some bad outcome involving getting too drunk, but the other option turned out to be "don't drink". Chizuru is very reluctant to drink any time it comes up, even considering gender roles etc. Anyway, it turns out she's only pretending to, like, the universe: she sits a filled glass in front of her then chats to Harada while he sips his sake.
As in the Saito path, Chizuru is waiting at base while the men are at battle when she hears someone kill the guard. But instead of random Imperialist soldiers, it's Shiranui!
Chizuru: Why are you here, to kidnap me for Kazama?
Shiranui: As if I'd lift a finger for that asshole! I should ask you why you're here! Demons shouldn't hang around humans. You're just going to get yourself killed.
Chizuru: I'm working with the Shinsengumi, just like you're working with the Imperialists.
Shiranui, shooting the wall with a bullet that nearly hits her: NO I'M NOT. FUCK THOSE GUYS THEY GOT TAKASUGI KILLED
Me: damn, I have totally forgotten who Takasugi is. The...Emporer?
Chizuru: Oh, poor Shiranui, some friend of his called Takasugi must have been killed!
Me: Ohhh
Shiranui: Takasugi was a real swell guy. But Imperialists, the Shogunate...they're all the same to me. I said that a few too many times and the Imperialists kicked me out. Same thing'll happen to you. Your Shinsengumi "friends" see you as a burden.
Chiruzu has a moment of self doubt, but remembers Harada's previous kind words of support.
Chizuru: I'm not a demon, I'm one of them!
Shiranui: *shoots her cheek, which immediately heals* If they knew you they'd see you as a monster!
Me: *settles "favourite male demon" crown more solidly on Amaguri's head*
Harada, bursting into the room: Are you ok? Did he hurt you?
Shiranui: Lol. She can't be hurt! She's a demon! She doesn't need some weak ass humans protecting her!
Me: Don't say what matters is she's a girl. Don't say what matters is she's a girl.
Harada: What matters is she fought by our side! Now Chizuru, run!
She runs.
Shiranui: I would never have abandoned Takasugi like that! *shoots her in the shoulder*
Harada: You should know better than to hurt a woman in front of me D:<
Shiranui: Look again. She's not hurt.
Chizuru: *heals*
Harada: o.O
There's a fight. Harada and Chizuru end up weaponless with Shiranui's gun pointed at them.
Shiranui: You're pretty impressive for a human, so I'll give you the chance to say some last words.
Harada: ... D:<
Chizuru: If I go with you, will you let him live?
Harada: No, let me protect you!
Shiranui: She doesn't need your protection!
Harada: Even if she doesn't, a man always protect his lady!
*my feminist/transmasculine soul wrestles with the part of me that grew up on dreams of being a princess being rescued*
Shiranui: I take it back, you're a loser. *cocks gun*
All seems lost, when suddenly, from the shadows steps...
SANAN!
(Also Heisuke, though he doesn't feel the need to give a creepy vampire speech about it)
Shiranui: Fine, whatever *leaves*
Me: Wow I am actually glad to see Sanan??
Harada: Dammit! I couldn't touch him! Was he going easy on me last time?
Heisuke: Don't feel bad, he's a demon and you're human.
Sanan: This is why you should become a vampire :D
Me:Yeah ok Sanan you can go away again now.
Sanan: Oh, and what's this, Chizuru? Did you...heal a bulletwound?? :D The Vampire Corps will be unstoppable with a real Demon helping my research :D
Harada: Back off, she's not a real member of the Shinsengumi, you can't make her do anything.
Chizuru: (I'm not a real member of the Shinsengumi? ;_;) I'll think about it, ok Sanan?
Ohh noo....
So Heisuke and Okita become vampires early on in their paths. And Saito and Hijikata become vampires in their paths during a fight between the final battle and everyone getting safely to the castle.
But in this path: everyone's at the castle, safe (except poor Inoue and Yamazaki) and Harada isn't a vampire. ...yet.
THIS IS GOING TO BE LIKE RILEY AND BUFFY ALL OVER AGAIN ISN'T IT
THE HUMAN BOYFRIEND CAN'T HANDLE HIS GIRLFRIEND'S SUPERPOWERS AND DOES SOMETHING STUPID
BECAUSE I'M NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE NICE THINGS
Chizuru hears footsteps outside her room late at night. She sees Harada waking outside and follows him. He is holding the vampire serum, staring at it.
He brings up his hand and...
THROWS THE VIAL TO THE GROUND, SMASHING IT
OK GAME, YOU GOT ME. WELL PLAYED
Harada: You can come out now, Chizuru.
Chizuru: Eh heh >.> So, uh...I guess you didn't want to become a monster, huh? :/
Harada: ...is what Shiranui said getting to you? You're not a monster, you're an ordinary girl.
Chizuru: An ordinary girl with SUPERPOWERS. Sounds like a monster to me :(
Harada: *grabs Chizuru and pulls her to his chest*
Chizuru: Uhhhhh???
Harada: Hear that? That's my heartbeat. Just like yours.
Me: Oh, it's not Buffy and Riley, it's Buffy and Dawn ;_;
The final scene is the two of them on the boat to Edo. Harada talks about how sometimes he dreams of leaving the life of a warrior and flying free like a bird.
And then the game...ends? With him a human??
HUH.
Having just reread everything: maybe EMPATHY REALLY IS HIS SUPERPOWER. AND HE'S...idk, he doesn't seem to be a demon or a vampire. Hmm. Maybe not.
Oh well, on to the next half! LET'S SEE WHERE IT TAKES ME.
Harada Part 2
So I have caught a cold :( And the idea of enduring the repeated Sick Woobie tropes on Okita's path while especially sick myself was too much to bear: I started empathising with Okita, it was very disturbing.
So for now I'm starting again with Harada Sanosuke, the good natured flirt! It's really sweet so far, if a little benevolently sexist.
** Spoilers**
Apologies in advance for any cold-induced incoherence.
Anyway, I'm curious to see where this is going to go, unlike the other original love interests Harada doesn't really have a hook like "the young one", "the villain" etc he's just...a likeable, sensible dude. Someone in the comments said they'd done this path and it was good but mostly about Chiruzu's feelings about her situation which sounds interesting.
I did get to the first sexy blood drinking on Okata's path, he was endearingly apologetic. And then, while trying and failing to find a summary of the rest of his path, I found out the blood drinking wasn't in the original version of the game, which made me imagine the moment at Otomate headquarters when they were doing the remake where someone went wait...WAIT. I HAVE SUCH A GOOD IDEA FOR HOW TO IMPROVE OUR VAMPIRE DATING SIM :D :D
I am so bad at spelling these names consistently, I apologise to my readers and the ghosts of the
Right at the start I get Chizuru to calmly accept her death and Harada admires her stoicism before puting his hand on his blade. Saito tells hims to wait (Saitoooo) and then
Harada: True, it seems like a waste. Not every day you meet a girl with that kind of gusto.
Nagakura: A GIRL?? BUT SHE'S WEARING PANTS.
Not every girl is a geisha, Nagakura :P
Every time someone says it's obvious Chizuru is a girl I think "SHE COULD BE TRANS". Self, they are from 1864, they can be forgiven for not thinking of that. I GUESS.
So Chizuru is sitting in her room feeling down about her situation and Harada comes in to see why she's still awake, and then tries cheer her up? IS HIS SCHTICK THAT HE IS CAPABLE OF EMOTIONAL LABOUR?? THE NICHEST KINK OF ALL.
He takes her out for a midnight stroll, even though it's very early in the game and she's supposed to be confined to her room.
Chizuru: Are you sure this is ok?
Harada: It's fine, if you try to escape I can always kill you ;)
Chizuru: Thanks!
Harada: Dude I just threatened to kill you, don't thank me!
Someone who realises threatening to kill someone is a bit alienating ;_;
Later he says "I thought you were some dumb kid, but you're not. In a few years you'll be a fine lady ;)" I forgot he's the only LI to really show much interest in Chizuru by default.
Harada's one of the taller guys but he still looks odd walking around with the giant ass spear he wields. It's never fully on screen and I wonder how long it is. *googles japanese spears* Over a head taller than the warrior in this image, that's a long spear!
Also: he is pretty cute :) IN YOUR FACE OKITA THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR...for being repeatedly sick... *cough*
Awwww so we come to the fourth time I have seen a particular battle, and the billionth I've seen battles in general, and for the first time I can remember someone (specifically Harada) actually takes time to stop and reassure random injured soldiers and mourn the dead. I mean I'm sure the others do do that but it shows what the focus of Harada's path is. Hijikata's path was all about The Burden Of Command but the game rather glossed over Saito, Heisuke and Okita all commanding their own divisions, since it conflicted with the vibe it was going for with them.
And at last, the gun using demon Shiranui's introduction scene and the start of his predicted rivalry with Harada! They're very good natured in their attempts to kill each other.
The walkthrough said to pick "Get rid of Shiranui" and I was expecting her to draw her sword, but instead she uses a logical argument about how the battle has shifted in a way that means there's no point for him to keep fighting, all while he's pointing a gun at her. And it works! Go Chizuru :D
Shiranui: You've got balls, kid! I have a good feeling about meeting new people today. But don't think I'll go easy on your guys next time.
Harada: Fine by me! I've already got plenty of friends, but I could use a new enemy.
Shiranui: Ok, but I'm not the kind of guy who enjoys the anticipation, if you know what I mean ;)
Keep it in your pants, boys, there's a lady present!
Poor Heisuke, all the other original Shinsengumi love interests get a sexy demon
Aw. Harada expresses concern for the well being of the retreating enemy. And then after Sanan becomes a vampire, Harada talks about his own worries and then prods Chizuru to be less stoic about her own.
I decided to rewatch the Shiranui bits of the scene where the demons announce that they are demons and want to kidnap Chizuru to be their Demon Princess, since I haven't watched it since my first playthrough.
And what happens is that Chizuru says she wants to stay, Yamazaki tries to drag her to safety, and Shiranui says "Hey, you gotta know when to let a girl go! The princess says she wants to stay!".
In a surprising upset, Shiranui "the demon whose only distinguishing feature is his gun" is forced to hand his "most boring villain" crown to Koaru the evil twin.
Shiranui: This was fun. Let's do it again when we have a little more time ;)
Harada, literal quote: Sorry, seeing guys isn't really my thing.
Aw, heartbreaker.
Chiruzu: I know those men say I have the blood of a demon, but I still don't really get why they're after me.
Harada: Obviously Kazama is in love with you ;)
Heisuke: WHY DO YOU MAKE EVERYTHING DIRTY
*ace headcanon for Heisuke intensifies*
Though actually Harada hasn't been especially flirty. He says early on that Chiruzu is pretty, and gives some friendly head pats, but that's about it. Heiksuke's the one who's all barely-repressed-puppydog-pining by this point in the narrative.
It's the "everyone goes out for a fancy meal and Hijikata flirts with a hot girl who turns out to be a ninja" scene! I wonder if I get to see the drunk calligraphy this time.
I forgot that this was how it played out:
Nagakura: Thanks for taking us out with the reward money you got from defeating those bad guys! But why did some of them escape?
Harada: It was dark >.> So, uh, Chizuru...get up to anything last night?
Chizuru: ...no?
Harada: Maybe I was wrong, it was pretty dark...but no. There was...a girl who looked just like Chizuru who helped the bad guys get away.
Nagakura: Weird!
Choice: I felt "Perplexed" "Strange"
Game, this is why I use a walkthrough. Turns out "Perplexed" is the Hijikata option, and "Strange" the Harada one. OH, OF COURSE.
Chiruzu wonders if it's ASTRAL PROJECTION omg girl you have already met your evil twin. OCCAMS RAZOR.
Then she remembers Kaoru, "even though she seemed like a nice normal girl who wouldn't do anything bad like that" lol lol.
Saito, who has apparently been there the whole time but had nothing to say if it wasn't about work: Tell me about this girl.
There is a little more general conversation and drinking.
Harada: OK TIME FOR THE MAIN EVENT
Me: Drunken calligraphy???? :D :D
*Harada pulls off his shirt*
Me: Um.
Harada: See this scar on my stomach? I got it proving my honour!
Nagakura: You mean you got it when some punk said you didn't have the guts to stick a sword in your belly so you did it then and there. What if you'd died?
Harada: I'd have crossed that bridge when I came to it! The point is this scar proves how much honour I have!
Nagakura: You're so lucky with that scar, Sano...
Nagakura: EVERY TIME YOU MOVE IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S TALKING :D :D
Harada: D:<
("Sano" is Harada's nickname, based on his given name "Sanosuke")
Me: This is better than anything I could have imagined.
Later, Chizuru gets sad about her dad and stuff.
Harada: Oh hey, do you know a girl named Sen?
Me: :D :D
Chizuru: Oh yes, my friend Sen, who I have hung out with repeatedly!
Me: YOU HAVE??
Harada: She said she wants to talk with you. I'll take you to meet with her.
And then he leaves them in a tea shop to "talk about girl things". There is a cute CG between Sen and Chiruzu I have never seen before. HAVE I SOMEHOW STUMBLED ONTO THE SEN PATH??
(Hey, I can dream)
Chizuru: So how did you know I was a girl when we first met?
Me: *yuri senses tingling*
AWWW. HARADA ORGANISED THE WHOLE THING COS CHIZURU SEEMED DOWN. BEST YURI WINGMAN.
Later she feels bad that she couldn't hide how sad she was.
Chizuru: Is it because I'm just an immature kid?
Harada: Well you're not an adult.
Chizuru: Oh :(
Harada: A little innocence and vulnerability makes a woman hotter ;)
Chizuru: I'm not sure how I feel about that...
Me: ME EITHER CHIZURU
Harada: Just be yourself. It's the mature thing to do.
Me: Hmm. You're still on thin ice, yuri wingman.
Ha! The "Okita encounters and confronts Kaoru about working with the bad guys" scene whizzed past me on "skip read" mode and it's just occurred to me it's a "hateflirt with demon nemesis" scene in disguise.
Chizuru asks Harada and Nagakura how they feel about Heisuke and Saito leaving to join the Imperialists, since they're such good friends with Heisuke. Nagakura expresses subdued annoyance at Heisuke, Harada says he must have his reasons.
Nagakura: So, Chizuru, you also noticed Kondou has been a crappy leader lately?
Chizuru: What? No?
Nagakura: And now we're probably going to have to fight our own friends.
Chizuru: Do you think it will come to that? What will you do?
Nagakura: They're the enemy! We kill them! ...is what Hijikata would say :(
Harada: ...yeah I don't know if I'll be able to do it either :(
YOU GUYS ;_;
Demon attack! It looks like Kazama is going to successfully kidnap Chizuru!
Shiranui: This was really easy :/
Harada: *attempts to spear him*
Shiranui: HARADA :D :D
Kazama: Pfft, you humans amuse me with your pathetic attempts to...
Hijikata: HEY, OVER HERE, I'M YOUR NEMESIS, REMEMBER?
Afterwards Chizuru feels bad for causing so much trouble and Harada says having her around encourages them all to fight better, because men naturally want to take care of women. So she's helping!
*sighs and reminds self he is from the 1890s*
(this is in fact one of the appeals of period het for me: the men are generally written as the (modern) author's ideal of male behaviour, which is usually more sexist than I like in contemporary men but quite enlightened for someone from the 19th century)
We see Harada training his men, with the amazing technique of paying attention to the other dude's emotional state. It's like he has a super power.
Chizuru: Um, so, you seem like the only emotionally mature, sensible adult in this whole game, and I have a little trouble reconciling that with you sticking a sword in your guts just to prove a point.
Harada: I've done all the dumb things. And suffered for them. I've lost friends, the family and I aren't really on speaking terms any more... I don't want to make those mistakes any more.
They are returning from a cute vegetable shopping trip when they bump into Heisuke, who they are forbidden to speak to since he's with Itou's Imperialists. Nobody speaks but they are all very sad.
Harada, to himself: Is everything I touch doomed to fall apart :(
*headcanons Heisuke and Harada as exes who broke up cos Heisuke is ace and Harada is not and nobody can stop me*
At the fight against Itou's Imperialists, who Heisuke is still with:
Amaguri: Give us the girl and noone gets hurt.
Chizuru, stepping forward: Will you really?
Shiranui: Aw, it's always nice to see some self sacrifice. But how about we just kill everyone and take you then ;)
Amaguri: *sighing deeply* Shiranui, demons aren't meant to break our promises.
Shiranui, wielding his gun: I'm a demon who lives in modern times! So, Harada, I actually like you, want to negotiate? How about you get on your knees and say "I don't care what happens to her, just let me live"
Harada, ignoring him: Chiruzu, not everyone has the balls to sacrifice themselves like that. But trust us to handle it. *points spear at Shiranui*
Me: Sorry, Shiranui, I think you just got hatedumped.
Nagakura: Hey, Heisuke, want to help us kill these jerks?
Heisuke: You guys, always dragging me into fights... :D :D
And now for the battle where Inoue dies.
Harada gets existential about what the Shinsengumi are even fighting for in this war. He reminisces about having been kicked out (of home? Of being a samurai?) for the "stabbing himself in the stomach" incident and being taken in by Kondou and Hijikata at their tiny struggling dojo. After that, the shogun's money was helpful, but their job was protecting Kyoto, which is something Harada can believe in.
Harada: We spent all this time protecting Kyoto, I don't want turn into a battlefield just so we can hash out who is better than who.
I saw "pretend to drink" coming up on the walkthrough and worried there was going to be some bad outcome involving getting too drunk, but the other option turned out to be "don't drink". Chizuru is very reluctant to drink any time it comes up, even considering gender roles etc. Anyway, it turns out she's only pretending to, like, the universe: she sits a filled glass in front of her then chats to Harada while he sips his sake.
As in the Saito path, Chizuru is waiting at base while the men are at battle when she hears someone kill the guard. But instead of random Imperialist soldiers, it's Shiranui!
Chizuru: Why are you here, to kidnap me for Kazama?
Shiranui: As if I'd lift a finger for that asshole! I should ask you why you're here! Demons shouldn't hang around humans. You're just going to get yourself killed.
Chizuru: I'm working with the Shinsengumi, just like you're working with the Imperialists.
Shiranui, shooting the wall with a bullet that nearly hits her: NO I'M NOT. FUCK THOSE GUYS THEY GOT TAKASUGI KILLED
Me: damn, I have totally forgotten who Takasugi is. The...Emporer?
Chizuru: Oh, poor Shiranui, some friend of his called Takasugi must have been killed!
Me: Ohhh
Shiranui: Takasugi was a real swell guy. But Imperialists, the Shogunate...they're all the same to me. I said that a few too many times and the Imperialists kicked me out. Same thing'll happen to you. Your Shinsengumi "friends" see you as a burden.
Chiruzu has a moment of self doubt, but remembers Harada's previous kind words of support.
Chizuru: I'm not a demon, I'm one of them!
Shiranui: *shoots her cheek, which immediately heals* If they knew you they'd see you as a monster!
Me: *settles "favourite male demon" crown more solidly on Amaguri's head*
Harada, bursting into the room: Are you ok? Did he hurt you?
Shiranui: Lol. She can't be hurt! She's a demon! She doesn't need some weak ass humans protecting her!
Me: Don't say what matters is she's a girl. Don't say what matters is she's a girl.
Harada: What matters is she fought by our side! Now Chizuru, run!
She runs.
Shiranui: I would never have abandoned Takasugi like that! *shoots her in the shoulder*
Harada: You should know better than to hurt a woman in front of me D:<
Shiranui: Look again. She's not hurt.
Chizuru: *heals*
Harada: o.O
There's a fight. Harada and Chizuru end up weaponless with Shiranui's gun pointed at them.
Shiranui: You're pretty impressive for a human, so I'll give you the chance to say some last words.
Harada: ... D:<
Chizuru: If I go with you, will you let him live?
Harada: No, let me protect you!
Shiranui: She doesn't need your protection!
Harada: Even if she doesn't, a man always protect his lady!
*my feminist/transmasculine soul wrestles with the part of me that grew up on dreams of being a princess being rescued*
Shiranui: I take it back, you're a loser. *cocks gun*
All seems lost, when suddenly, from the shadows steps...
SANAN!
(Also Heisuke, though he doesn't feel the need to give a creepy vampire speech about it)
Shiranui: Fine, whatever *leaves*
Me: Wow I am actually glad to see Sanan??
Harada: Dammit! I couldn't touch him! Was he going easy on me last time?
Heisuke: Don't feel bad, he's a demon and you're human.
Sanan: This is why you should become a vampire :D
Me:Yeah ok Sanan you can go away again now.
Sanan: Oh, and what's this, Chizuru? Did you...heal a bulletwound?? :D The Vampire Corps will be unstoppable with a real Demon helping my research :D
Harada: Back off, she's not a real member of the Shinsengumi, you can't make her do anything.
Chizuru: (I'm not a real member of the Shinsengumi? ;_;) I'll think about it, ok Sanan?
Ohh noo....
So Heisuke and Okita become vampires early on in their paths. And Saito and Hijikata become vampires in their paths during a fight between the final battle and everyone getting safely to the castle.
But in this path: everyone's at the castle, safe (except poor Inoue and Yamazaki) and Harada isn't a vampire. ...yet.
THIS IS GOING TO BE LIKE RILEY AND BUFFY ALL OVER AGAIN ISN'T IT
THE HUMAN BOYFRIEND CAN'T HANDLE HIS GIRLFRIEND'S SUPERPOWERS AND DOES SOMETHING STUPID
BECAUSE I'M NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE NICE THINGS
Chizuru hears footsteps outside her room late at night. She sees Harada waking outside and follows him. He is holding the vampire serum, staring at it.
He brings up his hand and...
THROWS THE VIAL TO THE GROUND, SMASHING IT
OK GAME, YOU GOT ME. WELL PLAYED
Harada: You can come out now, Chizuru.
Chizuru: Eh heh >.> So, uh...I guess you didn't want to become a monster, huh? :/
Harada: ...is what Shiranui said getting to you? You're not a monster, you're an ordinary girl.
Chizuru: An ordinary girl with SUPERPOWERS. Sounds like a monster to me :(
Harada: *grabs Chizuru and pulls her to his chest*
Chizuru: Uhhhhh???
Harada: Hear that? That's my heartbeat. Just like yours.
Me: Oh, it's not Buffy and Riley, it's Buffy and Dawn ;_;
The final scene is the two of them on the boat to Edo. Harada talks about how sometimes he dreams of leaving the life of a warrior and flying free like a bird.
And then the game...ends? With him a human??
HUH.
Having just reread everything: maybe EMPATHY REALLY IS HIS SUPERPOWER. AND HE'S...idk, he doesn't seem to be a demon or a vampire. Hmm. Maybe not.
Oh well, on to the next half! LET'S SEE WHERE IT TAKES ME.
Harada Part 2
no subject
Date: 2018-07-04 01:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-07-06 06:49 pm (UTC)Who can resist a dude with a talking scar? :D