Hakuoki: Fucking Kazama, Part One
Jul. 7th, 2018 01:05 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alias_sqbrBackground information and links to previous posts
(yes, I have been looking forward to using this title)
AND NOW TO SUBMIT TO THE WILL OF DEMON LORD KAZAMA CHIKAGE.
It's ok, so far, as villain paths go?
** Spoilers**
I'm really curious what sorts of choices will lead to him in the first half, because it's not like Chizuru ever WANTS to spend time with him. I have noticed a few "sit quietly in my room" choices have remained unchosen.
Until halfway through Chapter 2 it's just avoiding getting too many points for anyone else, because Kazama hasn't shown up. I just wandered onto a Nagakura path scene I hadn't seen before and now I'm going to wander away from it again. Bye Nagakura, maybe another time ;)
Ha! Chizuru is hiding in a random room, escaping the horrors of her first battle. And who is there, sitting in the windowsill staring at the moon, but everyone's favourite douchebag demon lord!
Chizuru is initially distracted by his aura of graceful self confidence. She doesn't know it yet but he's fresh from horribly wounding Okita.
Then his eye turns to her.
She draws her sword (which is quite short). He laughs at it before expressing shocked recognition.
They are interrupted by an Imperialist soldier.
Soldier: The Shinsengumi are here! They...wait THAT'S ONE OF THEM RIGHT THERE *draws sword*
Kazama: SILENCE *kills soldier*
Chizuru: Wasn't he your ally o.O
Kazama: Evidently not.
Chizuru: Uh...anyway, thank you for saving me?
Kazama: Huh. Looks like you have some manners despite being the Shinsengumi's bitch :)
FUCK YOU KAZAMA
Kazama: That sword, is it yours?
Chizuru: Yes?
Kazama: Then you can thank your sword. *calmly and smugly jumps out of window*
Chizuru: What.
A note about Kazama's usual voice: it doesn't tend to change much in register, staying a soft, deep growl that tends to combine -and smoothly transition between- quiet fury, smug satisfaction, and boredom.
Ha I forgot how adorably slashy Hijikata and Ibo are.
Ibo: You'll be seeing more of me!
IBO YOU LIAR I AM NEVER SEEING YOU AGAIN
It funny, normally when I've skipped through scenes I've kept an eye out for anything to do with the relevant LI, to remind myself where he and Chizuru are at. But now they're all irrelevant flickering faces, exactly as Kazama would see them.
Also, my emotional reaction to Okita still involves a moderate amount of PUNCH THE JERKFACE but I think that's partly cos he only really grew on me after the wardrobe change so my associations with him in his kimono are more punchable.
This scene came up on the Hijikata path but since there's so little with Kazama I'm including it:
Kazama shows up to murder a random Shinsengumi soldier and call them all peasants. He claims to be defending the ability of his human allies to commit seppukku in defeat. Chizuru and Hijikata have an argument with Kazama on the nature of honour that culminates in Hijikata and Kazama having a fight.
Chizuru draws her sword, and Kazama knocks her to the ground, his sword pointed at her forehead closely enough to draw blood.
Kazama: Do you realise the wound is healing?
That is not how you flirt, Kazama.
Kazama: Who'd have thought I'd meet another of our kind here, and a girl demon at that. Tell me, girl, what's your name?
Hijikata: Get away from the kid and fight me! *stab*
...if the Hijikata/Kazama rivalry keeps up in this path I'll probably end up shipping the triad lol.
Oh wow. So, I'm seeing what happens if you encounter Sanan during his vampire transformation and don't call for help. He tells Chizuru to give his regards to Heisuke in particular, then drinks the serum... and immediately tries to choke her to death. The CG is creepy as all hell. He manages to pull himself back then gasps out a request for her to kill him. She refuses and he begs, apologetically, going so far as to draw her sword and put it to his heart before he collapses.
AND NOW THE DEMON LORD COMES TO CLAIM HIS BRIDE.
Heh I actually care about Shiranui a little in this scene, that's new. Kazama describes Chizuru's family sword as "the Demon of the East's kodachi".
Saito and Harada come to save her, Harada tells Kazama that picking up chicks in dark alleys is creepy.
Everyone fights! The walkthrough told me to have Chizuru draw her sword at Kazama :D
Kazama acts like he isn't running away due to being outnumbered, and smugly tells Chizuru he will come for her.
Later, Kazama encounters her doing chores for the Shinsengumi and is disgusted that she would clean for humans. He accuses the Shinsengumi of "trying to turn humans into demons". He asks how she knows Stabdad and is surprised and pleased to find out he's her dad.
STOP SHOWING ME SANAN SCENES THAT IS NOT THE VILLAIN I AM ROMANCING
Time for the Cute Spring Scene! So, at this point the Shinsengumi are stationed in a large, historic temple. Chizuru encounters Kazama wandering around and is afraid. He says if he was going to abduct he would already have done so, and while his original plan was to check how she was doing, he has a fickle nature, and instead decided to check out the architecture.
Chizuru is understandably dubious. He asks her to look up and admire it herself, and she realises it really is a very pretty temple. Kazama ponders how humans can make such lovely buildings despite being such awful, destructive creatures. She defends humanity and he tells her the story of the temples construction, which involved the the Shogun at the time manipulating two religious factions into war so they wouldn't threaten his power.
...the true stockholm syndrome romance here really is Japanese history.
It's VERY STRANGE hearing Kazama speak gently and positively about anything and I am very amused that it's about architecture and not Chizuru.
GAME. GAME WHY DO YOU KEEP GIVING ME SHIPPY SCENES WITH SANAN. ARE YOU PUNISHING ME FOR DISLOYALTY TO THE SHINSENGUMI. ARE YOU KINKSHAMING ME FOR DATING A VILLAIN.
He's being perfectly nice in this scene and I'm still just GET AWAY GET AWAY YOU CREEPY VAMPIRE
Aw, a cute moment with Kondou thinking Chizuru looks sad so he gives her an errand in the city. Kondou ;_;
But of course it's actually aSanan Kazama scene: Chizuru and her escort bump into Kazama in the street.
Chizuru: Why are you here?
Kazama: I was bored and wanted a drink. We demons eat, drink, and all the other things. As do you.
Chizuru: You expect us to believe you?
Kazama: You can follow me to the bar if you like. I might even let you pour me a drink ;)
Was that actual flirting?? It may also have been an implication that he sees her as a servant, lol.
Back in her room, Chizuru ponders that Kazama has a life beyond being an irritating ass. She wonders what it's like, and what being a demon is like in general. But admitting to herself that she is a demon is still terrifying, and she is happy where she is, with the Shinsengumi.
Time for the final chapter, The Battle Where Inoue dies.
Chizuru ponders how the current conflict is a mirror of an earlier one, and how this illustrates the general inhumanity of war.
OH NO SHE'S BEEN SENT TO THE CASTLE WITH INOUE. THIS DID NOT END WELL LAST TIME.
They encounter a group of soldiers who should be their allies, but have switched sides now that the Imperialists are starting to win.
OH NO INOUE HAS TAKEN OUT SOME VAPIRE SERUM. DON'T DO IT INOUE.
He gets shot and killed before he can drink it :(
Chizuru berates the soldiers for betraying their oath to the Shogun but they just point their guns at her. And then...
They fire! And she gets shot!
(I was sure someone would save her but nope)
It hurts but she just heals and the soldiers cry out that she's a monster.
Chizuru: I may not be human but you are the real monsters!
Soldier: AHHH THE MONSTER IS TALKING KILL IT KILL IT
As she struggles through another round of gunfire, determined to avenge Inoue, Kazama pulls her up from the ground and kills the soldiers. He tells her to rest a moment, even a demon will take a while to heal from that sort of beating.
"Wait there," he says, gently, "It'll only be a moment until I wipe this filth from our sight."
And then he smugly taunts the soldiers before viciously murdering them, dodging bullets and moving so quickly that they recognise that he, too, is a monster. And then they die.
Kazama: Are you healed enough to walk?
Chizuru: Yes, and thank you saving me, but...you're with the Imperialists, aren't we enemies?
He looks pensive and doesn't answer. There is a swirl of wind, and out of the shadows steps...
FUCKING KAORU
Lol I imagine he's not going to try the "torture Chizuru's love interest trick" this time.
Koaru: It is a pleasure to meet you, Kazama Chikage. Thank you for protecting my adorable little sister from those wretched humans.
Chizuru: Your what now.
Kaoru: Chizuru, there's someone I want you to meet.
Stabdad: Chizuru, I am so glad to see you!
Me: Huh this is going remarkably well for a "meeting the in-laws" scene. I wonder if it will ever descend into stabbing...I mean Kazama did try to abduct her, they might not approve of that. OR MAYBE THEY WOULD.
Kaoru explains about their Yukimura village being destroyed, and the twins being separated, along with their matching swords. Stabdad backs him up, and Chizuru finally accepts that she really is a demon.
Kazama: So what the hell are you creating these fakes for?
(Note these are his first words to the man he intends to make his father-in-law)
Kaoru: We are going to reclaim the glory of the Yukimura clan!
Stabdad: We will use my perfect vampire serum to help overthrow the Shogunate, and then none will stand in our way!
Kaoru: We will seek vengeance against the humans who destroyed our village! Join us, Chizuru, in your rightful place as head of the Yumikura clan!
Chizuru: Uh.
Kazama: YOU DISGUST ME. Interfering in petty human squabbles??
Kaoru: Unlike you?
Kazama: ...
Kazama: Mind if I kill all of them, right here and now?
AWWW. HE IS A TRUE LOVE INTEREST AFTER ALL. He even asked permission before stabbing!
Chizuru: No, let me speak to them as head of the Yukimura clan.
Kazama: Look at you, being all demony :D
Chizuru says she's seen enough to know it's not worth restoring their clan if it requires the use of vampires. This does not go down well, and Kazama draws his sword.
Stabdad: Killing another demon will have you declared a 'stray demon'.
Kazama: It is my duty as a demon lord to crush those who have walked from the path of righteousness.
Stabdad: I see. Well, I can hardly fight a Demon Lord by myself *summons vampire minions*
Kaoru: We'll come back for you, Chizuru. I hope you have a better answer for us next time. Bye!
And then, it's time for the traditional meet-the-family vampire stabfest.
Kazama: Ha! Those Shinsengumi dogs bark so much about protecting you but in the end it was me who kept you safe :D
He asks where she intends to go next and she says back to the Shinsengumi.
Kazama: Don't go. Not unless you want to see your friends' rotting corpses. Their allies have already turned against them.
Chizuru: Then I have to go and warn them!
Kazama: *rolls his eyes and walks into the forest*
Having no other options, Chizuru follows.
He updates her on the current political situation, as scathing towards his human allies as anyone else, and rolls his eyes at her horror at how underhanded and awful everything is. HUMANS SUCK, DUMMY. She realises he has been leading her to a hill with a view of Kyoto in flames.
At this point she doesn't like Kazama, exactly, but she trusts him to keep her safe, and appreciates that that he seems to respect her enough to be honest with her.
They argue about whether humans ever fight for anything but money and power. She gives her own family as proof that demons can be equally awful, and the Shinsengumi as an example of humans fighting with honour. (let's...ignore the fact that it's leaders are heavily motivated by a desire by status >.>)
Rather than arguing further, he muses, almost sadly, that it's not going to do the Shinsengumi any good because they chose the losing side.
A cold wind blows past them. And from the shadows walks...
DEMON PRINCESS SEN AND HER BODYGUARD KIMIGUKU!
IT'S A DEMON PARTY IN KYOTO TONIGHT
Sen: we have terrible new about your father :( Can you come with us?
Kazama: Let's go, Yukimura.
(Hey, he used her actual name instead of "Girl"!)
Chizuru: But the Shinsengumi!
Kazama: There is nothing you can do for them. But only you, as head of the Yukimura clan, can stop your father.
She has no counterargument to that, so lets herself be lead to a nearby demon village. It fills her with a strange sense of nostalgia. Waiting for them are...
Amaguri and Shiranui! THE DEMON PARTY JUST KEEPS COMING.
Shiranui: War's going great, eh? :D
Kazama: It is a senseless conflict over nothing D:<
Shiranui: Hey. The humans are dealing with some shit, ok?
Aw, I wonder if his human boyfriend's still alive.
Sen: So, um, this news about your father may be hard for you to hear...
Kazama: She's tougher than you think.
Aw.
Sen explains about Stabdad's VAMPIRE ARMY OF JAPAN, and how it's constant need for blood means it will be heading for the next war front: Edo (Tokyo)
Kazama: Ok, cool. I'll just go there and murder them all. Bye.
Chizuru: Wait! I'll go with you!
Kazama: Wait, what? *sweatdrop sprite I have never seen before*
Chizuru: I may not agree with your "destroy the Shinsengumi" policy, but I am in favour of your "destroy the vampire army" policy.
Sen: ...actually, I agree, she should go with you.
Kazama: Am I in some sort of mirror universe?
Sen: I believe in her quest to stop her clan, and with you she will stay safe.
Kazama (finally regaining his composure): So everyone's realised what I've been saying all along! Yukimura should be with me! :D
Sen: OMG do not make this all about you.
Sen: Chizuru, take care ^_^ Kazama, if you let any harm come to her you, you know what punishment awaits you *dead eyed stare*
Kazama: As if I would let harm come to my future wife!
Sen: You're just her bodyguard, you goober.
Sen <3
I really do not understand demon society at all. They live in little clan based villages, scattered across human lands, and...never have war? Somehow? Despite seeming to have pretty human psychology?
Anyway. Kazama and Chizuru sit by the ocean, looking out at the Shinsengumi's ship, the one Chizuru travels on with them to Edo in every other path.
Kazama: Their path will be difficult, and there is nothing you can do but wait for the inevitable bad news. Are you ready for that?
Chizuru: I've made my choice. And I will be helping them in my own way.
Kazama gets them a horse, and after a moment of hesitation, Chizuru lets herself be lifted up behind him.
Kazama: *cold planning on what to do about the vampires*
Chizuru: OH GOD. I AM HOLDING ONTO A MAN?? I WONDER WHAT HE'S THINKING. WAIT, NO, SENSIBLE VAMPIRE DISCUSSION.
And thus ends the Kyoto Winds half of the path!
I'm still not entirely sold on it as a romance, or on Kazama's ability to be an adequate boyfriend. But it's been entertaining, and I am interested to see where things go next. Also I'm having a little stockholm syndromey reaction every time Kazama actually says something nice in a gentle voice, after having him be an unrelenting ass for 4 other paths.
And it's notable that when Kazama gets her alone, he doesn't try to talk himself up or act flirtatiously, he just tries to persuade her that demons are better than humans in general. Like he thinks being a demon is this awesome thing she's missing out on and he wants her to realise that on principle, rather than because it would benefit him specifically.
I think all the Sanan scenes were the result of picking the "let's talk about vampires" options, except for Kazama the attractive opinion is to then say that vampires are bad. I don't know what the options that attract Sanan look like and HOPEFULLY NEVER WILL.
Next: Kazama Part 2
(yes, I have been looking forward to using this title)
AND NOW TO SUBMIT TO THE WILL OF DEMON LORD KAZAMA CHIKAGE.
It's ok, so far, as villain paths go?
** Spoilers**
I'm really curious what sorts of choices will lead to him in the first half, because it's not like Chizuru ever WANTS to spend time with him. I have noticed a few "sit quietly in my room" choices have remained unchosen.
Until halfway through Chapter 2 it's just avoiding getting too many points for anyone else, because Kazama hasn't shown up. I just wandered onto a Nagakura path scene I hadn't seen before and now I'm going to wander away from it again. Bye Nagakura, maybe another time ;)
Ha! Chizuru is hiding in a random room, escaping the horrors of her first battle. And who is there, sitting in the windowsill staring at the moon, but everyone's favourite douchebag demon lord!
Chizuru is initially distracted by his aura of graceful self confidence. She doesn't know it yet but he's fresh from horribly wounding Okita.
Then his eye turns to her.
She draws her sword (which is quite short). He laughs at it before expressing shocked recognition.
They are interrupted by an Imperialist soldier.
Soldier: The Shinsengumi are here! They...wait THAT'S ONE OF THEM RIGHT THERE *draws sword*
Kazama: SILENCE *kills soldier*
Chizuru: Wasn't he your ally o.O
Kazama: Evidently not.
Chizuru: Uh...anyway, thank you for saving me?
Kazama: Huh. Looks like you have some manners despite being the Shinsengumi's bitch :)
FUCK YOU KAZAMA
Kazama: That sword, is it yours?
Chizuru: Yes?
Kazama: Then you can thank your sword. *calmly and smugly jumps out of window*
Chizuru: What.
A note about Kazama's usual voice: it doesn't tend to change much in register, staying a soft, deep growl that tends to combine -and smoothly transition between- quiet fury, smug satisfaction, and boredom.
Ha I forgot how adorably slashy Hijikata and Ibo are.
Ibo: You'll be seeing more of me!
IBO YOU LIAR I AM NEVER SEEING YOU AGAIN
It funny, normally when I've skipped through scenes I've kept an eye out for anything to do with the relevant LI, to remind myself where he and Chizuru are at. But now they're all irrelevant flickering faces, exactly as Kazama would see them.
Also, my emotional reaction to Okita still involves a moderate amount of PUNCH THE JERKFACE but I think that's partly cos he only really grew on me after the wardrobe change so my associations with him in his kimono are more punchable.
This scene came up on the Hijikata path but since there's so little with Kazama I'm including it:
Kazama shows up to murder a random Shinsengumi soldier and call them all peasants. He claims to be defending the ability of his human allies to commit seppukku in defeat. Chizuru and Hijikata have an argument with Kazama on the nature of honour that culminates in Hijikata and Kazama having a fight.
Chizuru draws her sword, and Kazama knocks her to the ground, his sword pointed at her forehead closely enough to draw blood.
Kazama: Do you realise the wound is healing?
That is not how you flirt, Kazama.
Kazama: Who'd have thought I'd meet another of our kind here, and a girl demon at that. Tell me, girl, what's your name?
Hijikata: Get away from the kid and fight me! *stab*
...if the Hijikata/Kazama rivalry keeps up in this path I'll probably end up shipping the triad lol.
Oh wow. So, I'm seeing what happens if you encounter Sanan during his vampire transformation and don't call for help. He tells Chizuru to give his regards to Heisuke in particular, then drinks the serum... and immediately tries to choke her to death. The CG is creepy as all hell. He manages to pull himself back then gasps out a request for her to kill him. She refuses and he begs, apologetically, going so far as to draw her sword and put it to his heart before he collapses.
AND NOW THE DEMON LORD COMES TO CLAIM HIS BRIDE.
Heh I actually care about Shiranui a little in this scene, that's new. Kazama describes Chizuru's family sword as "the Demon of the East's kodachi".
Saito and Harada come to save her, Harada tells Kazama that picking up chicks in dark alleys is creepy.
Everyone fights! The walkthrough told me to have Chizuru draw her sword at Kazama :D
Kazama acts like he isn't running away due to being outnumbered, and smugly tells Chizuru he will come for her.
Later, Kazama encounters her doing chores for the Shinsengumi and is disgusted that she would clean for humans. He accuses the Shinsengumi of "trying to turn humans into demons". He asks how she knows Stabdad and is surprised and pleased to find out he's her dad.
STOP SHOWING ME SANAN SCENES THAT IS NOT THE VILLAIN I AM ROMANCING
Time for the Cute Spring Scene! So, at this point the Shinsengumi are stationed in a large, historic temple. Chizuru encounters Kazama wandering around and is afraid. He says if he was going to abduct he would already have done so, and while his original plan was to check how she was doing, he has a fickle nature, and instead decided to check out the architecture.
Chizuru is understandably dubious. He asks her to look up and admire it herself, and she realises it really is a very pretty temple. Kazama ponders how humans can make such lovely buildings despite being such awful, destructive creatures. She defends humanity and he tells her the story of the temples construction, which involved the the Shogun at the time manipulating two religious factions into war so they wouldn't threaten his power.
...the true stockholm syndrome romance here really is Japanese history.
It's VERY STRANGE hearing Kazama speak gently and positively about anything and I am very amused that it's about architecture and not Chizuru.
GAME. GAME WHY DO YOU KEEP GIVING ME SHIPPY SCENES WITH SANAN. ARE YOU PUNISHING ME FOR DISLOYALTY TO THE SHINSENGUMI. ARE YOU KINKSHAMING ME FOR DATING A VILLAIN.
He's being perfectly nice in this scene and I'm still just GET AWAY GET AWAY YOU CREEPY VAMPIRE
Aw, a cute moment with Kondou thinking Chizuru looks sad so he gives her an errand in the city. Kondou ;_;
But of course it's actually a
Chizuru: Why are you here?
Kazama: I was bored and wanted a drink. We demons eat, drink, and all the other things. As do you.
Chizuru: You expect us to believe you?
Kazama: You can follow me to the bar if you like. I might even let you pour me a drink ;)
Was that actual flirting?? It may also have been an implication that he sees her as a servant, lol.
Back in her room, Chizuru ponders that Kazama has a life beyond being an irritating ass. She wonders what it's like, and what being a demon is like in general. But admitting to herself that she is a demon is still terrifying, and she is happy where she is, with the Shinsengumi.
Time for the final chapter, The Battle Where Inoue dies.
Chizuru ponders how the current conflict is a mirror of an earlier one, and how this illustrates the general inhumanity of war.
OH NO SHE'S BEEN SENT TO THE CASTLE WITH INOUE. THIS DID NOT END WELL LAST TIME.
They encounter a group of soldiers who should be their allies, but have switched sides now that the Imperialists are starting to win.
OH NO INOUE HAS TAKEN OUT SOME VAPIRE SERUM. DON'T DO IT INOUE.
He gets shot and killed before he can drink it :(
Chizuru berates the soldiers for betraying their oath to the Shogun but they just point their guns at her. And then...
They fire! And she gets shot!
(I was sure someone would save her but nope)
It hurts but she just heals and the soldiers cry out that she's a monster.
Chizuru: I may not be human but you are the real monsters!
Soldier: AHHH THE MONSTER IS TALKING KILL IT KILL IT
As she struggles through another round of gunfire, determined to avenge Inoue, Kazama pulls her up from the ground and kills the soldiers. He tells her to rest a moment, even a demon will take a while to heal from that sort of beating.
"Wait there," he says, gently, "It'll only be a moment until I wipe this filth from our sight."
And then he smugly taunts the soldiers before viciously murdering them, dodging bullets and moving so quickly that they recognise that he, too, is a monster. And then they die.
Kazama: Are you healed enough to walk?
Chizuru: Yes, and thank you saving me, but...you're with the Imperialists, aren't we enemies?
He looks pensive and doesn't answer. There is a swirl of wind, and out of the shadows steps...
FUCKING KAORU
Lol I imagine he's not going to try the "torture Chizuru's love interest trick" this time.
Koaru: It is a pleasure to meet you, Kazama Chikage. Thank you for protecting my adorable little sister from those wretched humans.
Chizuru: Your what now.
Kaoru: Chizuru, there's someone I want you to meet.
Stabdad: Chizuru, I am so glad to see you!
Me: Huh this is going remarkably well for a "meeting the in-laws" scene. I wonder if it will ever descend into stabbing...I mean Kazama did try to abduct her, they might not approve of that. OR MAYBE THEY WOULD.
Kaoru explains about their Yukimura village being destroyed, and the twins being separated, along with their matching swords. Stabdad backs him up, and Chizuru finally accepts that she really is a demon.
Kazama: So what the hell are you creating these fakes for?
(Note these are his first words to the man he intends to make his father-in-law)
Kaoru: We are going to reclaim the glory of the Yukimura clan!
Stabdad: We will use my perfect vampire serum to help overthrow the Shogunate, and then none will stand in our way!
Kaoru: We will seek vengeance against the humans who destroyed our village! Join us, Chizuru, in your rightful place as head of the Yumikura clan!
Chizuru: Uh.
Kazama: YOU DISGUST ME. Interfering in petty human squabbles??
Kaoru: Unlike you?
Kazama: ...
Kazama: Mind if I kill all of them, right here and now?
AWWW. HE IS A TRUE LOVE INTEREST AFTER ALL. He even asked permission before stabbing!
Chizuru: No, let me speak to them as head of the Yukimura clan.
Kazama: Look at you, being all demony :D
Chizuru says she's seen enough to know it's not worth restoring their clan if it requires the use of vampires. This does not go down well, and Kazama draws his sword.
Stabdad: Killing another demon will have you declared a 'stray demon'.
Kazama: It is my duty as a demon lord to crush those who have walked from the path of righteousness.
Stabdad: I see. Well, I can hardly fight a Demon Lord by myself *summons vampire minions*
Kaoru: We'll come back for you, Chizuru. I hope you have a better answer for us next time. Bye!
And then, it's time for the traditional meet-the-family vampire stabfest.
Kazama: Ha! Those Shinsengumi dogs bark so much about protecting you but in the end it was me who kept you safe :D
He asks where she intends to go next and she says back to the Shinsengumi.
Kazama: Don't go. Not unless you want to see your friends' rotting corpses. Their allies have already turned against them.
Chizuru: Then I have to go and warn them!
Kazama: *rolls his eyes and walks into the forest*
Having no other options, Chizuru follows.
He updates her on the current political situation, as scathing towards his human allies as anyone else, and rolls his eyes at her horror at how underhanded and awful everything is. HUMANS SUCK, DUMMY. She realises he has been leading her to a hill with a view of Kyoto in flames.
At this point she doesn't like Kazama, exactly, but she trusts him to keep her safe, and appreciates that that he seems to respect her enough to be honest with her.
They argue about whether humans ever fight for anything but money and power. She gives her own family as proof that demons can be equally awful, and the Shinsengumi as an example of humans fighting with honour. (let's...ignore the fact that it's leaders are heavily motivated by a desire by status >.>)
Rather than arguing further, he muses, almost sadly, that it's not going to do the Shinsengumi any good because they chose the losing side.
A cold wind blows past them. And from the shadows walks...
DEMON PRINCESS SEN AND HER BODYGUARD KIMIGUKU!
IT'S A DEMON PARTY IN KYOTO TONIGHT
Sen: we have terrible new about your father :( Can you come with us?
Kazama: Let's go, Yukimura.
(Hey, he used her actual name instead of "Girl"!)
Chizuru: But the Shinsengumi!
Kazama: There is nothing you can do for them. But only you, as head of the Yukimura clan, can stop your father.
She has no counterargument to that, so lets herself be lead to a nearby demon village. It fills her with a strange sense of nostalgia. Waiting for them are...
Amaguri and Shiranui! THE DEMON PARTY JUST KEEPS COMING.
Shiranui: War's going great, eh? :D
Kazama: It is a senseless conflict over nothing D:<
Shiranui: Hey. The humans are dealing with some shit, ok?
Aw, I wonder if his human boyfriend's still alive.
Sen: So, um, this news about your father may be hard for you to hear...
Kazama: She's tougher than you think.
Aw.
Sen explains about Stabdad's VAMPIRE ARMY OF JAPAN, and how it's constant need for blood means it will be heading for the next war front: Edo (Tokyo)
Kazama: Ok, cool. I'll just go there and murder them all. Bye.
Chizuru: Wait! I'll go with you!
Kazama: Wait, what? *sweatdrop sprite I have never seen before*
Chizuru: I may not agree with your "destroy the Shinsengumi" policy, but I am in favour of your "destroy the vampire army" policy.
Sen: ...actually, I agree, she should go with you.
Kazama: Am I in some sort of mirror universe?
Sen: I believe in her quest to stop her clan, and with you she will stay safe.
Kazama (finally regaining his composure): So everyone's realised what I've been saying all along! Yukimura should be with me! :D
Sen: OMG do not make this all about you.
Sen: Chizuru, take care ^_^ Kazama, if you let any harm come to her you, you know what punishment awaits you *dead eyed stare*
Kazama: As if I would let harm come to my future wife!
Sen: You're just her bodyguard, you goober.
Sen <3
I really do not understand demon society at all. They live in little clan based villages, scattered across human lands, and...never have war? Somehow? Despite seeming to have pretty human psychology?
Anyway. Kazama and Chizuru sit by the ocean, looking out at the Shinsengumi's ship, the one Chizuru travels on with them to Edo in every other path.
Kazama: Their path will be difficult, and there is nothing you can do but wait for the inevitable bad news. Are you ready for that?
Chizuru: I've made my choice. And I will be helping them in my own way.
Kazama gets them a horse, and after a moment of hesitation, Chizuru lets herself be lifted up behind him.
Kazama: *cold planning on what to do about the vampires*
Chizuru: OH GOD. I AM HOLDING ONTO A MAN?? I WONDER WHAT HE'S THINKING. WAIT, NO, SENSIBLE VAMPIRE DISCUSSION.
And thus ends the Kyoto Winds half of the path!
I'm still not entirely sold on it as a romance, or on Kazama's ability to be an adequate boyfriend. But it's been entertaining, and I am interested to see where things go next. Also I'm having a little stockholm syndromey reaction every time Kazama actually says something nice in a gentle voice, after having him be an unrelenting ass for 4 other paths.
And it's notable that when Kazama gets her alone, he doesn't try to talk himself up or act flirtatiously, he just tries to persuade her that demons are better than humans in general. Like he thinks being a demon is this awesome thing she's missing out on and he wants her to realise that on principle, rather than because it would benefit him specifically.
I think all the Sanan scenes were the result of picking the "let's talk about vampires" options, except for Kazama the attractive opinion is to then say that vampires are bad. I don't know what the options that attract Sanan look like and HOPEFULLY NEVER WILL.
Next: Kazama Part 2
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Date: 2018-07-06 07:41 pm (UTC)...the true stockholm syndrome romance here really is Japanese history.
*laughing*
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Date: 2018-07-10 12:53 pm (UTC)Yeah! She's pretty feisty, and he ends up just following along doing whatever she wants, all while pretending he is somehow 100% in control.