Hakuoki: Yamazaki!
Jul. 12th, 2018 03:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alias_sqbrBackground information and links to previous posts
Time for the cute little mullet ninja Yamazaki Susumu!
My main concern was that he might be a bit too much like Saito and then I realised it is impossible to be too much like Saito.
And it was fairly enjoyable!
My new icon is Nishima from Kiss Him Not Me crying over the grave of the historical figure who is the basis for the anime character she writes yaoi about. Seemed appropriate :)
** Spoilers**
In case anyone thought my radio silence meant I had stopped being obsessed with this game: no, I was just. Um. Writing 5K of Kazama/Chizuru...smut...???? God what is happening to me. It's very het, too, since nothing else felt in character, though I did make Kazama bi.
ANYWAY. BACK TO PLAYING THE GAME.
So. I am going in with low expectations for this path: this is the first of the new routes, many of which seem very pasted on. And looking at fandom posts there's very little squee about these new love interests, though obviously part of that is that they haven't had time to build up a following, especially since not everyone even has these new versions of the game. The most popular one appears to be Sanan (...yeah I'm in no position to judge), but afaict those are mostly existing fans of his just glad there's an option to smooch him now.
One advantage Yamazaki has over some of the other new guys is that he is a moderately significant character in the common route and other people's paths, working as a ninja/spy and helping out at key battles etc. I'm already kind of fond of him.
Boy he sure doesn't have much content before Chapter 2, though.
First new choice: TWO WHOLE NEW LINES. And it's the choice to not try and help him but instead run away.
I had to say something piss off Saito and he looked at Chizuru "with frustration and dejection" ;_;
Goddamn as expected I love everyone in this bar. Not even just the love interests I'm all SHIRANUI YAY as he flickers past on skip mode.
Another chance to be sensible and gain Yamazaki's favour for 3 extra lines.
Most of the way through chapter 3 and we hit the first new scene!
Chizuru inadvertently sees Yamazaki sneaking into consumptive jerk Okita's room, and decides he must be up to Secret Internal Affairs Business for Commander Hijikata. He drags her in to help...with his mission to clean up the dust that might aggravate Okita's tuberculosis! Because Okita is a baby who refuses to let anyone clean and so they have to send a literal ninja to do it.
She expresses some concern on the ethics of this and Yamazaki gets flustered about OBVIOUSLY NOT WANTING TO LOOK AT SOUJI'S PERSONAL THINGS and suddenly I ship Yamazaki/Okita?
(I find it interesting that pretty much everyone refers to Okita by his given name, though don't have a strong enough grasp of Japanese language conventions to really get what it means)
Huh! Yamzaki's not doing it cos he's a ninja, he's doing it cos he comes from a family of traditional medicine practitioners, and generally helps with medical stuff. *is reminded of a spoiler about his path I saw that I will not mention*
Ahaha and under Okita's pillow...COMMANDER HIJIKATA'S SECRET HAIKU BOOK PUBLISHED UNDER A PSEUDONYM.
Yamazaki: So, can you help me with cleaning Okita's room in future?
Chizuru: Yeah!
Yamazaki: And keep an eye on him when I'm away?
Chizuru: Ok?
Yamazaki: And if anything happens to me, you must promise to make sure he is taken care of
Chizuru: What
Me: Yamazaki, is Okita your wife
Aw. So Yamazaki has this whole notebook of medical health care plans for everyone based on the actual doctor's advice, and explains it all to Chizuru (who, you may recall, is a doctor's daughter) so she can keep track of things when he is away.
He's quiet and sensible like Saito, but rather than being an repressed goth romantic from a long line of samurai, he's just a quiet sensible commoner who likes to do his job well and take care of people.
Another scene! Yamazaki and Chizuru have just been medicine shopping, and he is teaching her about some stuff. And then he says noone else is bright and qualified enough to help. FIRST LOVE INTEREST TO DESCRIBE CHIZURU AS CLEVER ok fine Yamazaki I like you
Haha. So, Commander Hijikata's family makes a very popular medicinal powder, and Yamazaki is torn between his duty to respect his Commander's opinion and his medical opinion that it's trash.
Yamazaki, blushing, out of the blue: UM DO YOU WANT SOME ODANGO? Oh god I am not hitting on you the commander told me to ask you I swear.
I think this is the same shop Hijikata sends Heisuke and Chizuru to for their date. I love that while the franchise ships Hijikata/Chizuru, Hijikata himself jumps on any chance to ship her with his nicer subordinates. Also they eat a lot of odango (kind of like mochi on a stick?) in this game and it looks delicious and I have no way of getting any.
Yamazaki talks about remembering watching her on her first missions, wondering if she'd make a run for it and be killed and hoping she wouldn't. "But then I realised the captains already trusted you"
Chizuru: But Okita keeps saying he's going to kill me
Yamazaki: *sigh* That's his favourite phrase.
Aw and now she is officially trusted and he's no longer expected to keep an eye on her. Not for work anyway ;)
Oooh an actual little branch of the main plot I haven't seen before! Demon Lord Kazama beats the crap out of Yamazaki, who ends up collapsed against Chizuru in the dark, the two of them holding their breaths in the hope Kazama doesn't find them. Yamazaki hates being so weak. nooo Yamazaki you're perfect just as you are.
New scene that...has nothing to do with Yamazaki so far? It's just Chief Kondou giving Chizuru a tour of the new headquarters. It's cute, and there was a nice moment where Kondou talks about Okita being like his little brother. But I'm not sure why I've never seen it before. Kondou is so happy, talking about his past and his dreams for the Shinsengumi as a place where anyone can become a samurai serving himself as lord. He wryly notes that this would unfair on Harada and Nagakura who actively left that life. (And they do in fact leave once this dream of his looks like it might become true. AND THEN EVERYONE DIES ANYWAY)
Ahaha so my options are "I'm sure they understand" and "Can I be a samurai too". The first is apparently the right answer but there is NO WAY I am not picking the second and OMG Kondou's o.O expression. AWW but then he says that sure, she could. But she's a nice girl and deserves a happier life.
The "correct" option is to tell Kondou that OF COURSE Harada and Nagakura won't leave. Kondou does not look very convinced. Yeah, sorry Kondou :(
Aw, a scene where Saito and Yamazaki get the pants kicked off them by Kazama, which I last saw as a Saito scene but works just as well for Yamazaki.
And one more set of a extra few lines and we're at chapter 5, which is always mostly original to the love interest. Also known as: The battle where Nice Old Inoue dies and Yamazaki is so badly wounded he usually dies.
Hmm, a scene I have seen before where Sanan gives the captains vampire serum and there's no sign of Yamazaki (who is not a captain).
Yamazaki just noticed Chizuru is still in town and FREAKED OUT. DID NOBODY THINK TO SEND THE CIVILIAN OUT OF THE APPROACHING WAR ZONE. As a forward scout he is aware of how doomed everyone is in advance of the battle itself. ...wait no, even being aware of the issues he still thinks they'll win :( He also has zero concern about his own safety.
Chizuru: Well if it's so dangerous, you should go help look after the injured with the doctor in town, where it's safe.
Yamazaki: NO YOU
She points out that if he's in so much danger then she is needed here as backup doctor, and they agree to stay and look after everyone together. Aw he holds her hand and tells her to look after herself, saying she is his most special comrade. The actor (who was originally just hired to do a bunch of sensible ninja scenes) isn't quite pulling off the romantic intensity but he's doing his best.
I'm seeing most of the main characters showing up so far, and everyone sounds right, so I guess they got the full cast back ten years later to do these extra scenes for the new paths. Then again, those ten years included plenty of other voiced Hakuoki media.
Chizuru does her best as a war nurse but finds sending people back out to just get injured again upsetting, especially since the war is not going well.
She worries about Yamazaki and he bitterly points out that as a scout he is in the least danger, always watching and never on the front line. Even if his friends are dying, relaying information is a higher priority than fighting to help.
Chizuru says she empathises, since she can't fight at all, but is stuck doing what she can. This helps Yamazaki put his situation in perspective and they both feel better about their respective burdens.
Yamazaki is the one to persuade Hijikata to retreat, by shouting at him? Ok then.
We are running out of plot points where Inoue can die D:
While everyone is retreating Yamazaki and Chizuru hold hands and he reassures her that the Shinsengumi will be fine long term.
Shimada: Oh my gosh you two are adorable
Yamazaki: What?
Shimada: My little boy is becoming a man ;_;
(Yamazaki is one of the younger characters, starting out at 21 but being around 25 at this point)
OH YAY. A BLEEDING INOUE SPRITE. JUST DRAW IT OUT, GAME, SURE
Yamazaki takes a bullet for Chizuru!
Me: Doesn't she have healing superpowers that basically negate bullets
Chizuru: YOU DUMBASS I HAVE HEALING SUPERPOWERS
Yamazaki: yeah, I guess. But what am I going to do, use you as a shield? Yes, this injury is going to make things difficult, but...
Suddenly, there is the sound of derisive eye rolling and who should appear but...
DEMON LORD KAZAMA
Haha, man, what a jerk this guy is. Been a while since I saw him just revel in torturing someone for the kicks. Sticking your fingers into people's bullet wounds is gross, Kazama!
Hijikata: BACK OFF NEMESIS
Kazama: Lol, this isn't even your path, I am SO kicking your ass
Hijikata: Not if I take this vampire po-
Yamazaki: NINJA NECK CHOP
Kazama: wtf
Yamazaki: Commander Hijikata is too important to become a creature of the night. There are many other warriors who can invite the darkness unto themselves in his stead.
Ok, I take it back, Yamazaki is a goth too.
(Also: game, you did not need to undermine Hijikata's dignity to make Yamazaki look cool. Leave the Mary Sue-ness to Chizuru)
Kazama is talking about why taking the serum is bad and there is a bit too much SHADOWY MISTS OF LOST HUMANITY and MOONLIGHT SOLITUDE and not enough GROSS FAKEY FAKE PRETEND DEMONS.
Game what are you doing. This game is full of angsty vampires, stop trying so hard to make one of the more sensible dudes into ANGSTY VAMPIRE BATMAN.
This is making me imagine the Kazama voice actor getting to chew the scenery as a goth vampire though, I bet he'd be great. He has this whole Tim Curry thing going on. *Looks him up, fails to find audio of him as the main Yugioh villain, instead finds audio of him counting pi ominously*
Yamazaki's final form as an angsty melodramatic shonen character:
...ok the voice actor isn't great at romantic huskiness, but his scary vampire huskiness is pretty effective o.O
Holy crap he really is a shonen character. The ground he leaped from cracked under his feet??? Now Kazama is leaping off a tree like this is crouching tiger hidden dragon.
Kazama, turning into his demon form: You're one of the faster insects I've had to squash. Now I'm going to rip those wings off one by one, and make you crawl to me.
Me: Aw, Kazama, you sexy douche <3
Me at me: Ew.
I do like how everyone has different skills that get accentuated when they become a vampire.
Saito is disciplined, Hijikata powerful and determined, Okita has great technique, Yamazaki is fast, and Heisuke is adorable.
Interesting: Chizuru has sensed Kazama's aura a few times this path in a pretty literal way, before it felt like it could be a metaphor for his intense personality.
Amagiri: Stop turning into your demon form in front of humans >:(
Kazama: Ugh, fine, whatever. Bye, losers, your little war is going to get you killed anyway.
No conversation about sunlight and politics because Yamazaki collapsed and is still unconscious by the time they get on the boat.
Once he wakes up he asks why she didn't try to stop him drinking the serum and she says she respects his decision, and since he has chosen to walk into darkness to protect the Shinsengumi, she will walk in it beside him. He gets adorably embarrassed, then says he wants to walk by her side as well.
Are they...dating now?
END OF KYOTO WINDS
I'm not SUPER feeling this path, writing wise, though Yamazaki himself is pretty endearing. Still, let's see where it goes!
Aw. So some soldiers complain, perceptively, that the Shinsengumi seem to be doomed, and Harada and Nagakura are like "I get your concerns but stop whining and come drink with us instead, the sexy ladies are on me!" Chizuru thinks sadly that the soldiers are from what was Okita's division, and if he wasn't dying of tuberculosis he'd have kept them in line (with death threats)
Chizuru comes across Heisuke making some vampire-suppression powder.
Sanan: OR YOU COULD JUST DRINK BLOOD :D
Heisuke: Oh my god, Sanan, would you stop with the JUST DRINK BLOOD
Since noone but Chizuru witnessed Yamazaki's vampire transformation, and he works at night anyway, he's still working as Hijikata's bodyguard rather than faking his own death and moving to the vampire dorms. Aw so she tries to be awake at dawn when they come back from work.
The translators love to describe walking unhurriedly as "sauntering" and it doesn't always create the mental image I think they're going for.
Yamazaki feels helpless and depressed as he just watches while Hijikata tries and fails to find some solution to their worsening situation, and is treated by disrespect by the shogunate leadership. Hey, the first time anyone actually mention the downsides of surrender: the shogun and his lineage would be killed, and there'd be reparations. Military leaders like Kondou and Hijikata would probably be killed too, I'm guessing?
Yamazaki angrily rants, talking about seeing his friends die on the battlefield but then getting a LITTLE FIXATED ON THE DRIPPING BLOOD PART before going all vampire bloodlust. HA he is the first vampire love interest to have MADE SURE TO HAVE HIS VAMPIRE MEDICINE READY like a good sensible doctor vampire should. But of course Chizuru gives him blood like a good love-interest-of-angsty-vampire should.
Oh godddd time for everyone to thinks things are looking up with the next mission but they're about to keep getting worse until everyone is dead D: Yamazaki, who is usually silent during meetings, speaks up to be all YEAH THIS WILL BE GREAT oh honey. Interestingly the tone is less the usual "Kondou is being fooled by the shogunate's shiny promises" and more "this shiny promise may indeed be too good to be true but it's this or nothing and if we CAN pull this off we have a chance to win the war", even Nagakura and Harada are tentatively onboard.
Sanan: YEAH US VAMPIRES WILL TURN THE TIDE
Hijikata: It's in daylight and there'll be people everywhere. No vampires.
Sanan: YOU UNDERESTIMATE OUR POWER TO CHANGE HISTORY *flounces*
Hijikata: So, Heisuke, Sanan's been getting a bit moustache twirling lately, can you keep an eye on him while we're gone?
Yamazaki: I'll help!
Hijikata: No, I know it'll be hard but we need you with us to see if this is actually a trap.
You know I think Yamazaki might be the first love interest to be super invested in the idea they might win the war. Okita and Saito just cared about orders, Harada quit, and Hijikata was the cynical commander.
Dammit, walkthrough! You have left me without guidance as to whether Chizuru should follow her man into battle or say nothing! *picks the former with a sense of paranoia that is somehow the wrong decision*
Have I ever mentioned that when you get points there's a cute little butterfly animation over their heart?
Yamazaki, all butterfly-y: Commander, a wise person once told me you do not need to be a warrior to be an asset in battle *winks at Chizuru* During the last battle she saved dozens of lives.
Awwwwww. I am way more into this doctor-and-nurse-in-war story than the vampire angst. I mean I love vampire angst but they're being a bit heavy handed and this game has better examples.
Chizuru: I really appreciate your support, Yamazaki, but don't you usually freak out at the idea of me in danger?
Yamazaki: Yes. But you said you would follow me anywhere, right?
She realises they are holding hands, and isn't sure which of them initiated it. Awww. This is a nice change from "love means keeping your lady safe".
No wardrobe change for Yamazaki! Ninjas don't wear western suits. Chizuru thinks sad thoughts about how handsome he'd look in one.
Shimada: You can always get him one after the war ;)
Chizuru: ...! Hmm. Guys, if someone were to hypothetically buy you clothes, what would you like?
Souma: Chainmail and a big helmet
Chizuru: ...thanks
Saito: This is adorable but FYI Yamazaki is just around the corner
Awww I don't think I've seen Saito ship Chizuru with anyone but himself before. I definitely don't remember him shipping Okita/Chizuru despite actually being friends with Okita but, well. It's Okita.
Omg Yamazaki is actually a little shorter than Saito. I wonder if he's taller than Heisuke.
...you know I'm not sure this is the original Kondou voice actor, Tōru Ōkawa. Hmm, looks like it is. Also he played Roy Mustang in the original Full Metal Alchemist and Hijikata in another story about the Shinsengumi. I wonder if he compared notes with Shin-ichiro Miki, who plays this Hijikata and is Mustang in FMA: Brotherhood.
Yamazaki sends Kondou off with other men while running off through the tree tops to murder the enemies behind them with his ninja vampire powers in the dark, all I AM THE TERROR THAT STABS IN THE NIGHT.
An injured Shinsengumi soldier stumbles towards the pile of enemy bodies.
Chizuru: Hey Yamazaki enough stabbing we gotta help this guy!
Yamazaki: You do it. Gotta...keep...stabbing >:D
Oh no the walkthrough also doesn't say if Chizuru should be all "No! Help save him!" or "YEAH HONEY KEEP STABBING". I feel like I can handle this one? But I am finding a better walkthrough regardless.
Chizuru shouts at him "What are you even fighting for if it's not to keep your comrades safe?" and he has a moment of self doubt but then has to murder some more people and is way too into it.
Ok the vampire angst arc is actually connecting with the doctor arc, cool cool. Huh I wonder if the Sanan path hits some similar beats, since he was also originally a gentle, rational man. I MAY NEVER KNOW. (I am actually steeling myself to play it eventually, I am just too curious for my own good)
OH NO she keeps trying to stop him and eventually he yells for her to shut up and puts his grisly sword to her throat, babbling about his thirst for blood and saying if she doesn't back off he'll kill her. YAMAZAKI NO. EVEN OKITA DIDN'T DO THAT.
Maybe his problem is he was too emotionally well adjusted, everyone else was already a seething mass of repression and violence so dealing with vampirism on top of that didn't require a huge mental shift. Well, except Heisuke, bless him.
Man this is my first "Wow he feels like he's going to straight up just eat her" feeling at a blood drinking choice since the first one. And that was just because I wasn't sure what the mechanic would be rather than, you know, Chizuru having this dude with a sword to her throat rasping about how sweet she would be to devour.
*gingerly clicks "give him blood" and hopes Chizuru is only going to be eaten in the sexy non fatal way*
Wow she cuts her hand on the sword to her throat, that's pretty badass. Last time he was all gentle and hesitant this time he's...not.
Chizuru's all "Well this hurts pretty bad but it's stopping him from turning into a serial killer. Also. Uh. I am...weirdly kind of into this? Being used by Yamazaki thing? Hmm."
So, Yamazaki feels PRETTY GUILTY afterwards. (Also, "sanguinary muck" is a good phrase)
Yamazaki: Kazama was right, I am a beast who has lost his humanity D:
Kazama: You rang :D *draws sword*
Amagiri: KAZAMA THAT IS NOT WHY WE ARE HERE
Kazama: I wasn't going to kill Chizuru, just this annoying human! You never let me have any fun >:(
Except now Amaguri is fighting Yamazaki? First time someone's said Yamazaki's given name, Susumu, and it's Amagiri.
With his super fast vampire ninja-ing, Yamazaki gets a bunch of stabs in on Amagiri!
Amagiri: *sweatdrop sprite*
Kazama: Nice work human :D Something wrong, Amagiri? Why don't you bend the knee to me so that I may take pity and save you from further humiliation ;)
Amagiri: That's not funny. Anyway *is stabbed* human *is stabbed* using your powers like this *is stabbed* drains your life. FYI.
Yamazaki: That's a trick so I'll stop stabbing you!
Amagiri: Let me demonstrate that I don't need tricks to defend myself :) *goes into demon form and disarms Yamazaki with one hit*
Amagiri approaches Yamazaki, prone on the ground, and Chizuru jumps between to defend him with her sword.
Amagiri: Cheap tricks are no replacement for real skill. Look at the toll it's taking on his body. Vampires are an abomination and must be destroyed.
And sure enough, there are tears in the skin and muscle all down Yamazaki's legs, not from Amaguri but from the physical strain of the vampire ninja-ing.
You know, Amagiri, I feel like you could have made that point without letting yourself get stabbed so many times? I wonder if demon warrior training involves a lot of stabbing each other, since they heal so fast, and that's why they're all so blase about stabbing. Sure, humans tend to die when you do it, but MAYBE THEY SHOULDN'T BE SUCH WUSSES.
Amagiri: Anyway, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Stabdad is making a vampire army for the Imperials. And, as has been established, vampires are bad. So now we are your allies in the necessary task of trying to murder your father.
Chizuru: yay :(
Kazama: The Shinsengumi are going to die and be forgotten, they might as well make up for their sins first.
Yamazaki: FUCK YOU SHINSENGUMI 4 EVER
Amagiri: Let's be honest with ourselves here, kid.
Yamazaki and Chizuru: ;_;
Yamazaki: Fine, yes, we're doomed. But all the more reason to fight until our last breath. And I'm ready.
Chizuru: Me too.
Kazama: Really, girl? You're ready to kill your own father?
Chizuru: ...maybe?
Yamazaki: I will do it.
Kazama: You know what, I don't actually care. Just kill him! Bye!
Amagiri: Good luck!
Ha, the translators used the Japanese "bakushin" instead of translating it as "shogunate" as they have until now, but I've heard the word so many damn times at this point I recognised it anyway.
Yamazaki and Chizuru are left in Edo to search for clues on Stabdad's location while the rest of the Shinsengumi follow the war.
Chizuru: I wonder what would have happened if I'd never met the Shinsengumi. I guess I'd have been stuck waiting at home in Edo, ignorant of my father's evil.
Yamazaki: Perhaps ignorance is bliss, you could have lived the life of a normal girl.
Chizuru: But I'd have never have met you! I'm happy with my choices :)
Yamazaki *blushing*: OH GOD PLEASE STOP SAYING THINGS LIKE THAT
Chizuru: What?
Yamazaki: Anyway *cough* we need to *nnnngggg bloodlust*
So she pulls them into a dark alley and is like "Yeah this...definitely kind of hot?" but then he collapses and she's forced to try and carry him down the street to somewhere safe. And just when she think she can't take another step, along comes...
ARTIST IBUKI
Ibuki: Hey, can I help? That dude looks...OH MY GOD YAMAZAKI LONG TIME NO SEE :D
Yamazaki: *groan*.....Ibu...ki...?
Ibuki: I thought you Shinsengumi were all dead! :D
Yamazaki: Sorry, I don't know you.
Ibuki: Yes you do! Serious faced Yamazaki Susumu with the heart of gold!
Yamazaki: Uh... *runs*
Chizuru: SORRY ABOUT THIS BYE
Chizuru: Uh, so, you know that guy, huh?
Yamazaki: Didn't you hear me say I don't?
Yamazaki why are you lying to Chizuru >:(
Eventually he says they used to be very close friends in the proto-Shinsengumi, but Ibuki had enough of the violence and they haven't seen each other in years. All Yamazaki wants now is for Ibuki to stay safe. And Ibuki's too nosy not to get involved unless they avoid him completely.
(eg Yamazaki feels self conscious about Chizuru meeting his ex)
They go to Chizuru's old house and Yamazaki asks Chizuru questions about Stabdad to get a feel for his habits, something I haven't seen anyone else do. But she can't remember anything useful, just memory after memory of him being kind. She wonders if any of that kindness means anything after everything else he's done, and Yamazaki holds her as she cries.
OH NO They find out Kondou's been arrested and Yamazaki says he's going to rescue him even though he KNOWS it's a trap. This will not end well. OH AND CHIZURU IS GOING WITH HIM YES PERFECT
Noone's ever actually tried to rescue Kondou before! Okita was going to but left it too late.
It's eerily quiet. Where's the army? DID THEY BECOME VAMPIRES.
Yamazaki: This is definitely a trap.
Chizuru: But for who
FUCKING STABDAD AND HIS VAMPIRE ARMY: You :D
Chizuru: Hi dad. Um. So is it true you intend to turn half of our country into vampires and feed the other half to them? Because that seems...bad?
Stabdad: :D
Chizuru: What happened to the man who looked after his patients and cared for me so tenderly when I was sick?
Stabdad: When you were sick? Ah yes...
NOPE NOPE NOPE
WHY DOES HE KEEP GETTING WORSE
HE MADE HER SICK ON PURPOSE TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN
AND NOW WANTS TO USE HER BLOOD TO MAKE BETTER QUALITY VAMPIRES
(which definitely contradicts his plans on other routes but hey)
Yamazaki: So it was a trap! I should have known!
...yes? You did?
Stabdad: Nice speed, did the Shinsengumi improve their formula? No matter, you are still no match for my SCALPELS OF DEATH THWIP THWIP
Yamazaki: Pfft, what's a few scalpel wooooouuuu...nnnggg! *collapses*
Stabdad: Did I mention they're poisoned? :D
On the one hand Stabdad is being a bit gratuitously evil, on the other hand he hasn't brainwashed any women into marrying him with his blood so I guess it's within standard limits.
Stabdad: So, Chizuru, you will have the honour of becoming the mother of vampires! Yamazaki, care to become my assistant and help me extract her blood every day?
Yamazaki: WHAT. I'LL KI....*stabdad pushes the scalpels in deeper*
Chizuru: Stop!
Stabdad: Then help me. Don't you want to be a good daughter?
I like how Stabdad's stabbability level is not correlated to whether or not Chizuru (and anyone playing that path first) knows she'd adopted.
Just as Chizuru is about to give in, there are cries of pain and death from the back of the vampire horde. The screen flashes with green sword strokes: these are usually colour coded per character. And it's probably not Sen, as much as I would love it to be.
Nope, it's...YAMAZAKI'S HUSBAND OKITA.
Okita: Sup Yamazaki you look like shit :3
Stabdad: Lol you are so close to death you can barely move, how did you even get here?
Okita: Beats me. But my arms and legs could be ripped from my body and I'd still come to save Kondou. Now, Chizuru, grab Yamazaki and run!
Chizuru: Thank you ;_;
She drags Yamazaki's body as far as she can then collapses of exhaustion.
She wakes up next to Yamazaki on a futon. The nice doctor (Dr Matsumoto) found them. But he has bad news: Okita and Kondou are dead :(
Dr Matsumoto: I feel responsible for letting Okita go out when he was so sick.
Yamazaki: No, he chose to die on his own terms, fighting for his friends.
Dr Matsumoto: Ugh, you warriors are all the same. Anyway, your wounds will heal eventually but you need to rest for now.
Yamazaki: Apologies, but we don't have the time for that. And I am ready for death.
Chizuru: Oh :(
Dr Matsumoto: Oh no not again :(
Yamazaki says using his vampire powers is just like taking medicine, and Dr Matsumoto says that no, a doctor cares about the patient's long term well being, and the vampire serum brings nothing but destruction.
Chizuru and Yamazaki decide not to spread the Shinsengumi thin by bringing them in to help fight Stabdad, but can only watch from a distance as the Shinsengumi fight a losing battle. Except...now the Shinsengumi are heading towards an Imperial castle plagued with rumours of strange deaths that sound suspiciously vampire-y.
Yamazaki: I will save them
Chizuru: WE will save them
Yamazaki: Ok :) Um. So. I have to ask. Uh. (you can do this Yamazaki...) can I...uh...have some of your blood?
Chizuru: Sure! *draws sword*
Yamazaki: WAIT. Um. Itou said he read in a play that Westerners treat. Um. Kissing the back of the hand as a sign of...loyalty.
Chizuru: Loyalty?
Yamazaki: Um. And I was thinking. That I want something a bit more than loyalty? From our...relationship? If I was to be more direct, I was hoping to, well...that spot on your face...
Chizuru: *points to her lips* Is this what you want?
And then she bites her lip and they kiss and uh. Blood drinking and kissing turn out to be two tastes that go well together.
(Isn't Yamazaki's blushing sprite adorable? I think it might be my favourite so far)
As in a number of these paths here was some typical shoujo "Actually even though I have been very careful about consent up until now fyi I AM UNABLE TO STOP EVEN IF YOU WANT ME TO" but I tend to just mentally excise that sort of thing.
Time to investigate Vampire Castle! It is eerily quiet and filled the with stench of stale blood. Chizuru makes Yamazaki promise to try not to use up his life force with vampire powers and he agrees that he would rather have his memories be of happy times with her than of battlefields.
And there, sitting on the lord's chair in the central hall, they find...Stabdad.
Stabdad says some very stabbable things, including about the irrelevant doomedness of the Shinsengumi, and as Yamazaki defends their pride it occurs to me that he doesn't really see himself as one of them, but as support staff for the "real" warriors.
I feel like Kazama and Amagiri should logically be here but this path is about the Lonely Path Through The Shadows.
Yamazaki does his best to dodge Stabdad's poisoned scalpels, but eventually is hit and he collapses, his arms almost paralysed. Chizuru draws her sword.
Stabdad: Do you really think you have a chance against my vampires?
Chizuru: No. But do you expect me to stand by and do nothing while you hurt the man I love?
And then she STABS HERSELF IN THE ARM
vampires: BLOOD :D :D
(Fyi the Japanese for "blood" is "chi" and hearing vampire minions chant CHI CHI CHI is always surreal)
Yamazaki: Chizuru D:
Chizuru, surrounded by blood crazed vampires: I'm fine honey! Go stab my dad!
Yamazaki does a ninja run with his arms behind him because WHY NOT GO THE FULL NARUTO.
Stabdad: Pfft. Your arms are paralysed, what are you going to do?
Yamazaki stamps on the mat next to his sword so that it flies into the air. He does a flying kick and it pierces Stabdad in the heart! Then he grabs the poisoned scalpels littered on the floor and windmills them at the vampires surrounding Chizuru.
Stabdad: Urk! Clever move...
Yamazaki: Okita once told me that even if I lost my arms, I should keep fighting.
Stabdad: I guess...he never left you...
Stabdad ships it.
Stabdad: Chizuru. Demons are hard to kill. If you do not behead me...
Yamazaki: No, I will do it!
Chizuru, grimly: He is my family. It is my responsibility. I am sorry, father.
She prepares her sword. I feel sad that she is apparently never going to get any "But I did really love you" final words from her dad before she's forced to kill him. But just as she is about to make the fateful blow, Stabdad is unexpectedly beheaded by....
KAZAMA
WHAT
Yamazaki: KAZAMA WHAT THE FUCK
Kazama: You're welcome :D
Amagiri: Hi. FYI we killed all the other vampires.
Chizuru: But why?
Kazama: Your father turned his back on his clan. But I guess you are now justified in seeking vengeance against me *shrug*
Amagiri: Yukimura Chizuru, you have brought honour to your demon blood. And despite what the tales tell you, being a demon is pretty awesome. Take care :)
I'm just going to assume it was a coincidence them arriving then, and they weren't watching from the shadows during the whole fight with Kazama going "No, let me surprise her by beheading her dad, it'll be funny".
And so Chizuru and Yamazaki go tell the Shinsengumi that the castle they are preparing to lay siege to has been taken care of. But it is time for them to leave and start a new life. Hijikata wishes them well, with his now familiar "Well at least SOMEONE isn't going to die a tragic death" sad smile.
We flash forward to Chizuru planning her day in the re-opened Yukimura Medical Clinic in Edo, including treatment for Ibuki's baby, aw. She goes to see newly licensed Dr Yamazaki, who is wearing a cute 19th century western-style doctors outfit and has grown his hair out into a truly epic mullet.
In a first, they still haven't found a cure for vampirism.
Yamazaki talks about how strange and wonderful it is to be saving lives instead of taking them. They discuss the end of the war, and she asks if he regrets not being with the Shinsengumi as they made their final stand.
Yamazaki: I'd be lying if I said no. But there was no place for me there any longer. My only dream now is to look after my patients.
Chizuru: *cough*
Yamazaki: But the woman I love is why that dream has any weight :)
THE END
That was pretty cute! I feel like the writing and ideas were a bit weaker, but it was still pretty enjoyable and fit with the rest of the game.
And now I know that the other paths are enjoyable, I might steel myself to try some of the Bad Ends. Considering that this game's idea of a Good End is "All of my friends and family are dead except for my boyfriend, who is dying. But at least we're happy for now, here in the burned out shell of my massacred village" I'm bit trepidatious /o\
NEXT: I got too lazy to keep doing these, sorry! Check out the link post at the top.
Time for the cute little mullet ninja Yamazaki Susumu!
My main concern was that he might be a bit too much like Saito and then I realised it is impossible to be too much like Saito.
And it was fairly enjoyable!
My new icon is Nishima from Kiss Him Not Me crying over the grave of the historical figure who is the basis for the anime character she writes yaoi about. Seemed appropriate :)
** Spoilers**
In case anyone thought my radio silence meant I had stopped being obsessed with this game: no, I was just. Um. Writing 5K of Kazama/Chizuru...smut...???? God what is happening to me. It's very het, too, since nothing else felt in character, though I did make Kazama bi.
ANYWAY. BACK TO PLAYING THE GAME.
So. I am going in with low expectations for this path: this is the first of the new routes, many of which seem very pasted on. And looking at fandom posts there's very little squee about these new love interests, though obviously part of that is that they haven't had time to build up a following, especially since not everyone even has these new versions of the game. The most popular one appears to be Sanan (...yeah I'm in no position to judge), but afaict those are mostly existing fans of his just glad there's an option to smooch him now.
One advantage Yamazaki has over some of the other new guys is that he is a moderately significant character in the common route and other people's paths, working as a ninja/spy and helping out at key battles etc. I'm already kind of fond of him.
Boy he sure doesn't have much content before Chapter 2, though.
First new choice: TWO WHOLE NEW LINES. And it's the choice to not try and help him but instead run away.
I had to say something piss off Saito and he looked at Chizuru "with frustration and dejection" ;_;
Goddamn as expected I love everyone in this bar. Not even just the love interests I'm all SHIRANUI YAY as he flickers past on skip mode.
Another chance to be sensible and gain Yamazaki's favour for 3 extra lines.
Most of the way through chapter 3 and we hit the first new scene!
Chizuru inadvertently sees Yamazaki sneaking into consumptive jerk Okita's room, and decides he must be up to Secret Internal Affairs Business for Commander Hijikata. He drags her in to help...with his mission to clean up the dust that might aggravate Okita's tuberculosis! Because Okita is a baby who refuses to let anyone clean and so they have to send a literal ninja to do it.
She expresses some concern on the ethics of this and Yamazaki gets flustered about OBVIOUSLY NOT WANTING TO LOOK AT SOUJI'S PERSONAL THINGS and suddenly I ship Yamazaki/Okita?
(I find it interesting that pretty much everyone refers to Okita by his given name, though don't have a strong enough grasp of Japanese language conventions to really get what it means)
Huh! Yamzaki's not doing it cos he's a ninja, he's doing it cos he comes from a family of traditional medicine practitioners, and generally helps with medical stuff. *is reminded of a spoiler about his path I saw that I will not mention*
Ahaha and under Okita's pillow...COMMANDER HIJIKATA'S SECRET HAIKU BOOK PUBLISHED UNDER A PSEUDONYM.
Yamazaki: So, can you help me with cleaning Okita's room in future?
Chizuru: Yeah!
Yamazaki: And keep an eye on him when I'm away?
Chizuru: Ok?
Yamazaki: And if anything happens to me, you must promise to make sure he is taken care of
Chizuru: What
Me: Yamazaki, is Okita your wife
Aw. So Yamazaki has this whole notebook of medical health care plans for everyone based on the actual doctor's advice, and explains it all to Chizuru (who, you may recall, is a doctor's daughter) so she can keep track of things when he is away.
He's quiet and sensible like Saito, but rather than being an repressed goth romantic from a long line of samurai, he's just a quiet sensible commoner who likes to do his job well and take care of people.
Another scene! Yamazaki and Chizuru have just been medicine shopping, and he is teaching her about some stuff. And then he says noone else is bright and qualified enough to help. FIRST LOVE INTEREST TO DESCRIBE CHIZURU AS CLEVER ok fine Yamazaki I like you
Haha. So, Commander Hijikata's family makes a very popular medicinal powder, and Yamazaki is torn between his duty to respect his Commander's opinion and his medical opinion that it's trash.
Yamazaki, blushing, out of the blue: UM DO YOU WANT SOME ODANGO? Oh god I am not hitting on you the commander told me to ask you I swear.
I think this is the same shop Hijikata sends Heisuke and Chizuru to for their date. I love that while the franchise ships Hijikata/Chizuru, Hijikata himself jumps on any chance to ship her with his nicer subordinates. Also they eat a lot of odango (kind of like mochi on a stick?) in this game and it looks delicious and I have no way of getting any.
Yamazaki talks about remembering watching her on her first missions, wondering if she'd make a run for it and be killed and hoping she wouldn't. "But then I realised the captains already trusted you"
Chizuru: But Okita keeps saying he's going to kill me
Yamazaki: *sigh* That's his favourite phrase.
Aw and now she is officially trusted and he's no longer expected to keep an eye on her. Not for work anyway ;)
Oooh an actual little branch of the main plot I haven't seen before! Demon Lord Kazama beats the crap out of Yamazaki, who ends up collapsed against Chizuru in the dark, the two of them holding their breaths in the hope Kazama doesn't find them. Yamazaki hates being so weak. nooo Yamazaki you're perfect just as you are.
New scene that...has nothing to do with Yamazaki so far? It's just Chief Kondou giving Chizuru a tour of the new headquarters. It's cute, and there was a nice moment where Kondou talks about Okita being like his little brother. But I'm not sure why I've never seen it before. Kondou is so happy, talking about his past and his dreams for the Shinsengumi as a place where anyone can become a samurai serving himself as lord. He wryly notes that this would unfair on Harada and Nagakura who actively left that life. (And they do in fact leave once this dream of his looks like it might become true. AND THEN EVERYONE DIES ANYWAY)
Ahaha so my options are "I'm sure they understand" and "Can I be a samurai too". The first is apparently the right answer but there is NO WAY I am not picking the second and OMG Kondou's o.O expression. AWW but then he says that sure, she could. But she's a nice girl and deserves a happier life.
The "correct" option is to tell Kondou that OF COURSE Harada and Nagakura won't leave. Kondou does not look very convinced. Yeah, sorry Kondou :(
Aw, a scene where Saito and Yamazaki get the pants kicked off them by Kazama, which I last saw as a Saito scene but works just as well for Yamazaki.
And one more set of a extra few lines and we're at chapter 5, which is always mostly original to the love interest. Also known as: The battle where Nice Old Inoue dies and Yamazaki is so badly wounded he usually dies.
Hmm, a scene I have seen before where Sanan gives the captains vampire serum and there's no sign of Yamazaki (who is not a captain).
Yamazaki just noticed Chizuru is still in town and FREAKED OUT. DID NOBODY THINK TO SEND THE CIVILIAN OUT OF THE APPROACHING WAR ZONE. As a forward scout he is aware of how doomed everyone is in advance of the battle itself. ...wait no, even being aware of the issues he still thinks they'll win :( He also has zero concern about his own safety.
Chizuru: Well if it's so dangerous, you should go help look after the injured with the doctor in town, where it's safe.
Yamazaki: NO YOU
She points out that if he's in so much danger then she is needed here as backup doctor, and they agree to stay and look after everyone together. Aw he holds her hand and tells her to look after herself, saying she is his most special comrade. The actor (who was originally just hired to do a bunch of sensible ninja scenes) isn't quite pulling off the romantic intensity but he's doing his best.
I'm seeing most of the main characters showing up so far, and everyone sounds right, so I guess they got the full cast back ten years later to do these extra scenes for the new paths. Then again, those ten years included plenty of other voiced Hakuoki media.
Chizuru does her best as a war nurse but finds sending people back out to just get injured again upsetting, especially since the war is not going well.
She worries about Yamazaki and he bitterly points out that as a scout he is in the least danger, always watching and never on the front line. Even if his friends are dying, relaying information is a higher priority than fighting to help.
Chizuru says she empathises, since she can't fight at all, but is stuck doing what she can. This helps Yamazaki put his situation in perspective and they both feel better about their respective burdens.
Yamazaki is the one to persuade Hijikata to retreat, by shouting at him? Ok then.
We are running out of plot points where Inoue can die D:
While everyone is retreating Yamazaki and Chizuru hold hands and he reassures her that the Shinsengumi will be fine long term.
Shimada: Oh my gosh you two are adorable
Yamazaki: What?
Shimada: My little boy is becoming a man ;_;
(Yamazaki is one of the younger characters, starting out at 21 but being around 25 at this point)
OH YAY. A BLEEDING INOUE SPRITE. JUST DRAW IT OUT, GAME, SURE
Yamazaki takes a bullet for Chizuru!
Me: Doesn't she have healing superpowers that basically negate bullets
Chizuru: YOU DUMBASS I HAVE HEALING SUPERPOWERS
Yamazaki: yeah, I guess. But what am I going to do, use you as a shield? Yes, this injury is going to make things difficult, but...
Suddenly, there is the sound of derisive eye rolling and who should appear but...
DEMON LORD KAZAMA
Haha, man, what a jerk this guy is. Been a while since I saw him just revel in torturing someone for the kicks. Sticking your fingers into people's bullet wounds is gross, Kazama!
Hijikata: BACK OFF NEMESIS
Kazama: Lol, this isn't even your path, I am SO kicking your ass
Hijikata: Not if I take this vampire po-
Yamazaki: NINJA NECK CHOP
Kazama: wtf
Yamazaki: Commander Hijikata is too important to become a creature of the night. There are many other warriors who can invite the darkness unto themselves in his stead.
Ok, I take it back, Yamazaki is a goth too.
(Also: game, you did not need to undermine Hijikata's dignity to make Yamazaki look cool. Leave the Mary Sue-ness to Chizuru)
Kazama is talking about why taking the serum is bad and there is a bit too much SHADOWY MISTS OF LOST HUMANITY and MOONLIGHT SOLITUDE and not enough GROSS FAKEY FAKE PRETEND DEMONS.
Game what are you doing. This game is full of angsty vampires, stop trying so hard to make one of the more sensible dudes into ANGSTY VAMPIRE BATMAN.
This is making me imagine the Kazama voice actor getting to chew the scenery as a goth vampire though, I bet he'd be great. He has this whole Tim Curry thing going on. *Looks him up, fails to find audio of him as the main Yugioh villain, instead finds audio of him counting pi ominously*
Yamazaki's final form as an angsty melodramatic shonen character:
...ok the voice actor isn't great at romantic huskiness, but his scary vampire huskiness is pretty effective o.O
Holy crap he really is a shonen character. The ground he leaped from cracked under his feet??? Now Kazama is leaping off a tree like this is crouching tiger hidden dragon.
Kazama, turning into his demon form: You're one of the faster insects I've had to squash. Now I'm going to rip those wings off one by one, and make you crawl to me.
Me: Aw, Kazama, you sexy douche <3
Me at me: Ew.
I do like how everyone has different skills that get accentuated when they become a vampire.
Saito is disciplined, Hijikata powerful and determined, Okita has great technique, Yamazaki is fast, and Heisuke is adorable.
Interesting: Chizuru has sensed Kazama's aura a few times this path in a pretty literal way, before it felt like it could be a metaphor for his intense personality.
Amagiri: Stop turning into your demon form in front of humans >:(
Kazama: Ugh, fine, whatever. Bye, losers, your little war is going to get you killed anyway.
No conversation about sunlight and politics because Yamazaki collapsed and is still unconscious by the time they get on the boat.
Once he wakes up he asks why she didn't try to stop him drinking the serum and she says she respects his decision, and since he has chosen to walk into darkness to protect the Shinsengumi, she will walk in it beside him. He gets adorably embarrassed, then says he wants to walk by her side as well.
Are they...dating now?
END OF KYOTO WINDS
I'm not SUPER feeling this path, writing wise, though Yamazaki himself is pretty endearing. Still, let's see where it goes!
Aw. So some soldiers complain, perceptively, that the Shinsengumi seem to be doomed, and Harada and Nagakura are like "I get your concerns but stop whining and come drink with us instead, the sexy ladies are on me!" Chizuru thinks sadly that the soldiers are from what was Okita's division, and if he wasn't dying of tuberculosis he'd have kept them in line (with death threats)
Chizuru comes across Heisuke making some vampire-suppression powder.
Sanan: OR YOU COULD JUST DRINK BLOOD :D
Heisuke: Oh my god, Sanan, would you stop with the JUST DRINK BLOOD
Since noone but Chizuru witnessed Yamazaki's vampire transformation, and he works at night anyway, he's still working as Hijikata's bodyguard rather than faking his own death and moving to the vampire dorms. Aw so she tries to be awake at dawn when they come back from work.
The translators love to describe walking unhurriedly as "sauntering" and it doesn't always create the mental image I think they're going for.
Yamazaki feels helpless and depressed as he just watches while Hijikata tries and fails to find some solution to their worsening situation, and is treated by disrespect by the shogunate leadership. Hey, the first time anyone actually mention the downsides of surrender: the shogun and his lineage would be killed, and there'd be reparations. Military leaders like Kondou and Hijikata would probably be killed too, I'm guessing?
Yamazaki angrily rants, talking about seeing his friends die on the battlefield but then getting a LITTLE FIXATED ON THE DRIPPING BLOOD PART before going all vampire bloodlust. HA he is the first vampire love interest to have MADE SURE TO HAVE HIS VAMPIRE MEDICINE READY like a good sensible doctor vampire should. But of course Chizuru gives him blood like a good love-interest-of-angsty-vampire should.
Oh godddd time for everyone to thinks things are looking up with the next mission but they're about to keep getting worse until everyone is dead D: Yamazaki, who is usually silent during meetings, speaks up to be all YEAH THIS WILL BE GREAT oh honey. Interestingly the tone is less the usual "Kondou is being fooled by the shogunate's shiny promises" and more "this shiny promise may indeed be too good to be true but it's this or nothing and if we CAN pull this off we have a chance to win the war", even Nagakura and Harada are tentatively onboard.
Sanan: YEAH US VAMPIRES WILL TURN THE TIDE
Hijikata: It's in daylight and there'll be people everywhere. No vampires.
Sanan: YOU UNDERESTIMATE OUR POWER TO CHANGE HISTORY *flounces*
Hijikata: So, Heisuke, Sanan's been getting a bit moustache twirling lately, can you keep an eye on him while we're gone?
Yamazaki: I'll help!
Hijikata: No, I know it'll be hard but we need you with us to see if this is actually a trap.
You know I think Yamazaki might be the first love interest to be super invested in the idea they might win the war. Okita and Saito just cared about orders, Harada quit, and Hijikata was the cynical commander.
Dammit, walkthrough! You have left me without guidance as to whether Chizuru should follow her man into battle or say nothing! *picks the former with a sense of paranoia that is somehow the wrong decision*
Have I ever mentioned that when you get points there's a cute little butterfly animation over their heart?
Yamazaki, all butterfly-y: Commander, a wise person once told me you do not need to be a warrior to be an asset in battle *winks at Chizuru* During the last battle she saved dozens of lives.
Awwwwww. I am way more into this doctor-and-nurse-in-war story than the vampire angst. I mean I love vampire angst but they're being a bit heavy handed and this game has better examples.
Chizuru: I really appreciate your support, Yamazaki, but don't you usually freak out at the idea of me in danger?
Yamazaki: Yes. But you said you would follow me anywhere, right?
She realises they are holding hands, and isn't sure which of them initiated it. Awww. This is a nice change from "love means keeping your lady safe".
No wardrobe change for Yamazaki! Ninjas don't wear western suits. Chizuru thinks sad thoughts about how handsome he'd look in one.
Shimada: You can always get him one after the war ;)
Chizuru: ...! Hmm. Guys, if someone were to hypothetically buy you clothes, what would you like?
Souma: Chainmail and a big helmet
Chizuru: ...thanks
Saito: This is adorable but FYI Yamazaki is just around the corner
Awww I don't think I've seen Saito ship Chizuru with anyone but himself before. I definitely don't remember him shipping Okita/Chizuru despite actually being friends with Okita but, well. It's Okita.
Omg Yamazaki is actually a little shorter than Saito. I wonder if he's taller than Heisuke.
...you know I'm not sure this is the original Kondou voice actor, Tōru Ōkawa. Hmm, looks like it is. Also he played Roy Mustang in the original Full Metal Alchemist and Hijikata in another story about the Shinsengumi. I wonder if he compared notes with Shin-ichiro Miki, who plays this Hijikata and is Mustang in FMA: Brotherhood.
Yamazaki sends Kondou off with other men while running off through the tree tops to murder the enemies behind them with his ninja vampire powers in the dark, all I AM THE TERROR THAT STABS IN THE NIGHT.
An injured Shinsengumi soldier stumbles towards the pile of enemy bodies.
Chizuru: Hey Yamazaki enough stabbing we gotta help this guy!
Yamazaki: You do it. Gotta...keep...stabbing >:D
Oh no the walkthrough also doesn't say if Chizuru should be all "No! Help save him!" or "YEAH HONEY KEEP STABBING". I feel like I can handle this one? But I am finding a better walkthrough regardless.
Chizuru shouts at him "What are you even fighting for if it's not to keep your comrades safe?" and he has a moment of self doubt but then has to murder some more people and is way too into it.
Ok the vampire angst arc is actually connecting with the doctor arc, cool cool. Huh I wonder if the Sanan path hits some similar beats, since he was also originally a gentle, rational man. I MAY NEVER KNOW. (I am actually steeling myself to play it eventually, I am just too curious for my own good)
OH NO she keeps trying to stop him and eventually he yells for her to shut up and puts his grisly sword to her throat, babbling about his thirst for blood and saying if she doesn't back off he'll kill her. YAMAZAKI NO. EVEN OKITA DIDN'T DO THAT.
Maybe his problem is he was too emotionally well adjusted, everyone else was already a seething mass of repression and violence so dealing with vampirism on top of that didn't require a huge mental shift. Well, except Heisuke, bless him.
Man this is my first "Wow he feels like he's going to straight up just eat her" feeling at a blood drinking choice since the first one. And that was just because I wasn't sure what the mechanic would be rather than, you know, Chizuru having this dude with a sword to her throat rasping about how sweet she would be to devour.
*gingerly clicks "give him blood" and hopes Chizuru is only going to be eaten in the sexy non fatal way*
Wow she cuts her hand on the sword to her throat, that's pretty badass. Last time he was all gentle and hesitant this time he's...not.
Chizuru's all "Well this hurts pretty bad but it's stopping him from turning into a serial killer. Also. Uh. I am...weirdly kind of into this? Being used by Yamazaki thing? Hmm."
So, Yamazaki feels PRETTY GUILTY afterwards. (Also, "sanguinary muck" is a good phrase)
Yamazaki: Kazama was right, I am a beast who has lost his humanity D:
Kazama: You rang :D *draws sword*
Amagiri: KAZAMA THAT IS NOT WHY WE ARE HERE
Kazama: I wasn't going to kill Chizuru, just this annoying human! You never let me have any fun >:(
Except now Amaguri is fighting Yamazaki? First time someone's said Yamazaki's given name, Susumu, and it's Amagiri.
With his super fast vampire ninja-ing, Yamazaki gets a bunch of stabs in on Amagiri!
Amagiri: *sweatdrop sprite*
Kazama: Nice work human :D Something wrong, Amagiri? Why don't you bend the knee to me so that I may take pity and save you from further humiliation ;)
Amagiri: That's not funny. Anyway *is stabbed* human *is stabbed* using your powers like this *is stabbed* drains your life. FYI.
Yamazaki: That's a trick so I'll stop stabbing you!
Amagiri: Let me demonstrate that I don't need tricks to defend myself :) *goes into demon form and disarms Yamazaki with one hit*
Amagiri approaches Yamazaki, prone on the ground, and Chizuru jumps between to defend him with her sword.
Amagiri: Cheap tricks are no replacement for real skill. Look at the toll it's taking on his body. Vampires are an abomination and must be destroyed.
And sure enough, there are tears in the skin and muscle all down Yamazaki's legs, not from Amaguri but from the physical strain of the vampire ninja-ing.
You know, Amagiri, I feel like you could have made that point without letting yourself get stabbed so many times? I wonder if demon warrior training involves a lot of stabbing each other, since they heal so fast, and that's why they're all so blase about stabbing. Sure, humans tend to die when you do it, but MAYBE THEY SHOULDN'T BE SUCH WUSSES.
Amagiri: Anyway, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Stabdad is making a vampire army for the Imperials. And, as has been established, vampires are bad. So now we are your allies in the necessary task of trying to murder your father.
Chizuru: yay :(
Kazama: The Shinsengumi are going to die and be forgotten, they might as well make up for their sins first.
Yamazaki: FUCK YOU SHINSENGUMI 4 EVER
Amagiri: Let's be honest with ourselves here, kid.
Yamazaki and Chizuru: ;_;
Yamazaki: Fine, yes, we're doomed. But all the more reason to fight until our last breath. And I'm ready.
Chizuru: Me too.
Kazama: Really, girl? You're ready to kill your own father?
Chizuru: ...maybe?
Yamazaki: I will do it.
Kazama: You know what, I don't actually care. Just kill him! Bye!
Amagiri: Good luck!
Ha, the translators used the Japanese "bakushin" instead of translating it as "shogunate" as they have until now, but I've heard the word so many damn times at this point I recognised it anyway.
Yamazaki and Chizuru are left in Edo to search for clues on Stabdad's location while the rest of the Shinsengumi follow the war.
Chizuru: I wonder what would have happened if I'd never met the Shinsengumi. I guess I'd have been stuck waiting at home in Edo, ignorant of my father's evil.
Yamazaki: Perhaps ignorance is bliss, you could have lived the life of a normal girl.
Chizuru: But I'd have never have met you! I'm happy with my choices :)
Yamazaki *blushing*: OH GOD PLEASE STOP SAYING THINGS LIKE THAT
Chizuru: What?
Yamazaki: Anyway *cough* we need to *nnnngggg bloodlust*
So she pulls them into a dark alley and is like "Yeah this...definitely kind of hot?" but then he collapses and she's forced to try and carry him down the street to somewhere safe. And just when she think she can't take another step, along comes...
ARTIST IBUKI
Ibuki: Hey, can I help? That dude looks...OH MY GOD YAMAZAKI LONG TIME NO SEE :D
Yamazaki: *groan*.....Ibu...ki...?
Ibuki: I thought you Shinsengumi were all dead! :D
Yamazaki: Sorry, I don't know you.
Ibuki: Yes you do! Serious faced Yamazaki Susumu with the heart of gold!
Yamazaki: Uh... *runs*
Chizuru: SORRY ABOUT THIS BYE
Chizuru: Uh, so, you know that guy, huh?
Yamazaki: Didn't you hear me say I don't?
Yamazaki why are you lying to Chizuru >:(
Eventually he says they used to be very close friends in the proto-Shinsengumi, but Ibuki had enough of the violence and they haven't seen each other in years. All Yamazaki wants now is for Ibuki to stay safe. And Ibuki's too nosy not to get involved unless they avoid him completely.
(eg Yamazaki feels self conscious about Chizuru meeting his ex)
They go to Chizuru's old house and Yamazaki asks Chizuru questions about Stabdad to get a feel for his habits, something I haven't seen anyone else do. But she can't remember anything useful, just memory after memory of him being kind. She wonders if any of that kindness means anything after everything else he's done, and Yamazaki holds her as she cries.
OH NO They find out Kondou's been arrested and Yamazaki says he's going to rescue him even though he KNOWS it's a trap. This will not end well. OH AND CHIZURU IS GOING WITH HIM YES PERFECT
Noone's ever actually tried to rescue Kondou before! Okita was going to but left it too late.
It's eerily quiet. Where's the army? DID THEY BECOME VAMPIRES.
Yamazaki: This is definitely a trap.
Chizuru: But for who
FUCKING STABDAD AND HIS VAMPIRE ARMY: You :D
Chizuru: Hi dad. Um. So is it true you intend to turn half of our country into vampires and feed the other half to them? Because that seems...bad?
Stabdad: :D
Chizuru: What happened to the man who looked after his patients and cared for me so tenderly when I was sick?
Stabdad: When you were sick? Ah yes...
NOPE NOPE NOPE
WHY DOES HE KEEP GETTING WORSE
HE MADE HER SICK ON PURPOSE TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN
AND NOW WANTS TO USE HER BLOOD TO MAKE BETTER QUALITY VAMPIRES
(which definitely contradicts his plans on other routes but hey)
Yamazaki: So it was a trap! I should have known!
...yes? You did?
Stabdad: Nice speed, did the Shinsengumi improve their formula? No matter, you are still no match for my SCALPELS OF DEATH THWIP THWIP
Yamazaki: Pfft, what's a few scalpel wooooouuuu...nnnggg! *collapses*
Stabdad: Did I mention they're poisoned? :D
On the one hand Stabdad is being a bit gratuitously evil, on the other hand he hasn't brainwashed any women into marrying him with his blood so I guess it's within standard limits.
Stabdad: So, Chizuru, you will have the honour of becoming the mother of vampires! Yamazaki, care to become my assistant and help me extract her blood every day?
Yamazaki: WHAT. I'LL KI....*stabdad pushes the scalpels in deeper*
Chizuru: Stop!
Stabdad: Then help me. Don't you want to be a good daughter?
I like how Stabdad's stabbability level is not correlated to whether or not Chizuru (and anyone playing that path first) knows she'd adopted.
Just as Chizuru is about to give in, there are cries of pain and death from the back of the vampire horde. The screen flashes with green sword strokes: these are usually colour coded per character. And it's probably not Sen, as much as I would love it to be.
Nope, it's...YAMAZAKI'S HUSBAND OKITA.
Okita: Sup Yamazaki you look like shit :3
Stabdad: Lol you are so close to death you can barely move, how did you even get here?
Okita: Beats me. But my arms and legs could be ripped from my body and I'd still come to save Kondou. Now, Chizuru, grab Yamazaki and run!
Chizuru: Thank you ;_;
She drags Yamazaki's body as far as she can then collapses of exhaustion.
She wakes up next to Yamazaki on a futon. The nice doctor (Dr Matsumoto) found them. But he has bad news: Okita and Kondou are dead :(
Dr Matsumoto: I feel responsible for letting Okita go out when he was so sick.
Yamazaki: No, he chose to die on his own terms, fighting for his friends.
Dr Matsumoto: Ugh, you warriors are all the same. Anyway, your wounds will heal eventually but you need to rest for now.
Yamazaki: Apologies, but we don't have the time for that. And I am ready for death.
Chizuru: Oh :(
Dr Matsumoto: Oh no not again :(
Yamazaki says using his vampire powers is just like taking medicine, and Dr Matsumoto says that no, a doctor cares about the patient's long term well being, and the vampire serum brings nothing but destruction.
Chizuru and Yamazaki decide not to spread the Shinsengumi thin by bringing them in to help fight Stabdad, but can only watch from a distance as the Shinsengumi fight a losing battle. Except...now the Shinsengumi are heading towards an Imperial castle plagued with rumours of strange deaths that sound suspiciously vampire-y.
Yamazaki: I will save them
Chizuru: WE will save them
Yamazaki: Ok :) Um. So. I have to ask. Uh. (you can do this Yamazaki...) can I...uh...have some of your blood?
Chizuru: Sure! *draws sword*
Yamazaki: WAIT. Um. Itou said he read in a play that Westerners treat. Um. Kissing the back of the hand as a sign of...loyalty.
Chizuru: Loyalty?
Yamazaki: Um. And I was thinking. That I want something a bit more than loyalty? From our...relationship? If I was to be more direct, I was hoping to, well...that spot on your face...
Chizuru: *points to her lips* Is this what you want?
And then she bites her lip and they kiss and uh. Blood drinking and kissing turn out to be two tastes that go well together.
(Isn't Yamazaki's blushing sprite adorable? I think it might be my favourite so far)
As in a number of these paths here was some typical shoujo "Actually even though I have been very careful about consent up until now fyi I AM UNABLE TO STOP EVEN IF YOU WANT ME TO" but I tend to just mentally excise that sort of thing.
Time to investigate Vampire Castle! It is eerily quiet and filled the with stench of stale blood. Chizuru makes Yamazaki promise to try not to use up his life force with vampire powers and he agrees that he would rather have his memories be of happy times with her than of battlefields.
And there, sitting on the lord's chair in the central hall, they find...Stabdad.
Stabdad says some very stabbable things, including about the irrelevant doomedness of the Shinsengumi, and as Yamazaki defends their pride it occurs to me that he doesn't really see himself as one of them, but as support staff for the "real" warriors.
I feel like Kazama and Amagiri should logically be here but this path is about the Lonely Path Through The Shadows.
Yamazaki does his best to dodge Stabdad's poisoned scalpels, but eventually is hit and he collapses, his arms almost paralysed. Chizuru draws her sword.
Stabdad: Do you really think you have a chance against my vampires?
Chizuru: No. But do you expect me to stand by and do nothing while you hurt the man I love?
And then she STABS HERSELF IN THE ARM
vampires: BLOOD :D :D
(Fyi the Japanese for "blood" is "chi" and hearing vampire minions chant CHI CHI CHI is always surreal)
Yamazaki: Chizuru D:
Chizuru, surrounded by blood crazed vampires: I'm fine honey! Go stab my dad!
Yamazaki does a ninja run with his arms behind him because WHY NOT GO THE FULL NARUTO.
Stabdad: Pfft. Your arms are paralysed, what are you going to do?
Yamazaki stamps on the mat next to his sword so that it flies into the air. He does a flying kick and it pierces Stabdad in the heart! Then he grabs the poisoned scalpels littered on the floor and windmills them at the vampires surrounding Chizuru.
Stabdad: Urk! Clever move...
Yamazaki: Okita once told me that even if I lost my arms, I should keep fighting.
Stabdad: I guess...he never left you...
Stabdad ships it.
Stabdad: Chizuru. Demons are hard to kill. If you do not behead me...
Yamazaki: No, I will do it!
Chizuru, grimly: He is my family. It is my responsibility. I am sorry, father.
She prepares her sword. I feel sad that she is apparently never going to get any "But I did really love you" final words from her dad before she's forced to kill him. But just as she is about to make the fateful blow, Stabdad is unexpectedly beheaded by....
KAZAMA
WHAT
Yamazaki: KAZAMA WHAT THE FUCK
Kazama: You're welcome :D
Amagiri: Hi. FYI we killed all the other vampires.
Chizuru: But why?
Kazama: Your father turned his back on his clan. But I guess you are now justified in seeking vengeance against me *shrug*
Amagiri: Yukimura Chizuru, you have brought honour to your demon blood. And despite what the tales tell you, being a demon is pretty awesome. Take care :)
I'm just going to assume it was a coincidence them arriving then, and they weren't watching from the shadows during the whole fight with Kazama going "No, let me surprise her by beheading her dad, it'll be funny".
And so Chizuru and Yamazaki go tell the Shinsengumi that the castle they are preparing to lay siege to has been taken care of. But it is time for them to leave and start a new life. Hijikata wishes them well, with his now familiar "Well at least SOMEONE isn't going to die a tragic death" sad smile.
We flash forward to Chizuru planning her day in the re-opened Yukimura Medical Clinic in Edo, including treatment for Ibuki's baby, aw. She goes to see newly licensed Dr Yamazaki, who is wearing a cute 19th century western-style doctors outfit and has grown his hair out into a truly epic mullet.
In a first, they still haven't found a cure for vampirism.
Yamazaki talks about how strange and wonderful it is to be saving lives instead of taking them. They discuss the end of the war, and she asks if he regrets not being with the Shinsengumi as they made their final stand.
Yamazaki: I'd be lying if I said no. But there was no place for me there any longer. My only dream now is to look after my patients.
Chizuru: *cough*
Yamazaki: But the woman I love is why that dream has any weight :)
THE END
That was pretty cute! I feel like the writing and ideas were a bit weaker, but it was still pretty enjoyable and fit with the rest of the game.
And now I know that the other paths are enjoyable, I might steel myself to try some of the Bad Ends. Considering that this game's idea of a Good End is "All of my friends and family are dead except for my boyfriend, who is dying. But at least we're happy for now, here in the burned out shell of my massacred village" I'm bit trepidatious /o\
NEXT: I got too lazy to keep doing these, sorry! Check out the link post at the top.
