Hakuoki: Sanan???
Jul. 16th, 2018 12:50 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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So I think I need a break from Hakuoki before the repeated storybeats feel fresh again and everything stops feeling muted. But "muted feeling" seems like the perfect mood for playing CREEPY MAD SCIENTIST Sanan Keisuke so here we go.
It was...about as enjoyable as it was likely to be? The plot was enjoyably silly. He never stops being creepy, but I managed to mostly ship them anyway, and I can see it being fun if you're into creepy-yet-polite dominant older dudes.
** Spoilers**
It's been a while since I saw Sanan do anything unbearably creepy so I can almost see his sidelong smiles as endearing rather than skin crawling.
Oh no, he's musing sadly about feeling like losing himself, seeing himself as nothing more than a ghost, and Chizuru holds his hands and says maybe neither of them is human but they're still alive and in the world and he looks at her all surprised anyone cares and... I ship it? That was quick.
Like he's the only character with a tragic arc we might actually be able to stop (Hijikata and Souma still watch everyone they care about die, Okita still dies of tuberculosis)
Chizuru: I have faith in you, Sanan
Sanan: In someone like me o.O
Me: Aww
Sanan: You shouldn't have too much faith in adults ;)
Me: DAMMIT SANAN YOU JUST GOTTA MAKE IT CREEPY
He uses the personal pronoun "watashi" usually used by women, which I think implies formality and politeness.
Sanan and Kazama have a smug-villain-off, Sanan is all "I am not a fake demon I am a real vampire >:D" Eventually Amagiri has to break them up.
We actually see the discussion around Heisuke being turned. Despite being heartbroken, Nagakura thinks it would be better if he just died, which bodes ill for his own path. Ah and I have the choice to run after Nagakura, I guess this is another Nagakura path scene! SORRY NAGAKURA I AM SURE YOU WOULD BE A BETTER BOYFRIEND.
Sanan says some vague, self hating, cold things about what it will mean for Heisuke to be a vampire, and under Sanan's command. Chizuru is consistently compassionate and trusting and he finds it a bit disconcerting.
Sanan: *laughing darkly* You've made me be kind. If I start feeling sympathy for others, it will end badly.
Chizuru isn't oblivious to all the moustache twirling, but decides to have faith in him anyway. Your funeral, Chizuru.
The scene where Sanan tries to coerce Chizuru into giving him some of her blood for research happens unchanged. Ok then, Sanan.
Chizuru comes across Okita asking Sanan whether becoming a vampire would cure his tuberculosis. Sanan doesn't know but says it might, and Okita is about to try it anyway, but Chizuru stops him. Afterwards she accuses Sanan of projecting his feelings about the injury that made him decide to become a vampire onto Okita, and Sanan admits she's right.
Something I've noticed in all the new content, including the end to the Kazama path, is that Chizuru does a lot more medical stuff, and gets more respect as a medical expert. I like it! There's...also more lines like "please use me, my body is yours" which isn't really my kink but I can't pretend it doesn't fit the general tone.
Chizuru encounters a depressed Heisuke who eventually admits he skipped out on a battle after becoming increasingly uncomfortable with Sanan's bloodthirsty kill-everyone orders. Chizuru tries to convince herself Sanan must have a good reason, but does not entirely succeed.
Sanan comes in and has a calm conversation about how late Chizuru is up, all while covered in blood "even up to his mouth".
Chizuru: Um. Sanan... What's with all the blood?
Sanan: It seems like a normal amount to me. But perhaps there is more because Heisuke left and I had to pick up his slack.
Ooooh Sanan don't you go dragging Heisuke down >:(
Inoue and Chizuru run as the Shinsengumi are forced to retreat from The Battle Where Inoue Dies. Chizuru feels bad that Sanan and Heisuke are left inside but is reassured that they will be fine.
And of course...Inoue dies. Chizuru is hiding in an alleyway and wants to run to his body but is restrained by...
EVIL TWIN KAORU????
Still dressed as a girl, even.
Chizuru thanks him and asks to be taken to Yodo Castle, where the Shinsengumi are. Kaoru nods, but after they have been running a while Chizuru realises they have ended up in an unfamiliar forest shrine.
Chizuru: This is not Yodo Castle :/
Kaoru: Heh, forget about that place. Someone here is waiting for you :)
me: Ohhhh nooooo. Is it Kazama, or....nope. Stabdad :(
I am wondering how horrifying Stabdad will be when he has to be the bad guy compared to Sanan "brainwash a woman into marrying me by forcing her to drink my blood" Keisuke D:
But he starts out pretty reasonable sounding, implying he only worked with the Imperialists because they forced him, and making vague remarks about wanting to contact Chizuru but he couldn't because "she was with the Shinsengumi". And then...
Stabdad: I believe you have met a man named Lord Kazama?
me: KAZAMA AND STABDAD???
Stabdad: He gave me quite a scolding for not telling him you were a demon. But now preparations are in order, and your father will never leave your side. Come with me, child ^_^
Me: NOPE
Chizuru: .....nope?
OH GOD Sanan is here and he and Stabdad are having a "softly spoken creepy passive aggressive scientist villain"-off. Chizuru edges towards Sanan since he is the least creepy of the two.
Oh man. So the blood on his clothes before was from investigating "the little rat he'd noticed sniffing around headquarters", and spilled in the interest of protecting Chizuru.
He describes Kaoru as a boy and when Chizuru expresses surprise says "You are so easily deceived. But I suppose that is what is good about you, too.". A+ flirting, Sanan.
Koaru, changing clothes in an instant: Yes, I am your brother ^_^
And then he has a mean-taunt-off with Sanan. Thank god we're only getting them in pairs.
Well as long as Chizuru is happy I guess:
Stabdad is smugly complacent about having used the Shinsengumi as disposable lab rats then abandoned them when someone else offered more money. This actually pisses Sanan off, and Chizuru too. Stabdad seems more sad about being rejected by his fellow evil scientist.
Stabdad: Well, I suppose I don't need your forgiveness. I offer a simple exchange: I cure the side effects of being a vampire and you give me my daughter ^_^
Sanan: That would be against the Shinsengumi bylaw about litigation agreements without former agreement ^_^
Stabdad: I suppose this means we have a breakdown in negotiations ^_^
Kaoru: OH MY GOD CAN I JUST STAB HIM NOW
Stabdad: No, he is an example of a successful vampire experiment, I wish to examine him further.
THE SCIENTIST BECOMES THE SCIENCE
Chizuru: Father, Koaru: I don't want to go with you so please just stop!
Koaru: You don't like us? ;_; WAIT I GET IT. They're manipulating you! Him, and Okita too! DON'T WORRY CHIZURU BIG BROTHER WILL SAVE YOU.
What does Okita have to do with any of this, Chizuru has barely spoken to him on this path. Get your nemesis-crush under control, Kaoru.
Sanan and Chizuru reunite with the Shinsengumi. On the ship to Edo, an injured Yamazaki croaks out a request for Sanan, but by the time he arrives with the serum Yamazaki is dead :( Afterwards, Chizuru and Sanan have a moment of sad connection about just wanting their comrades to be safe.
Onto Edo Blossoms!
Sanan wants to do rounds in Edo. I would believe his argument about keeping the streets safe if he hadn't, you know, consistently turned out to be using this as an excuse to cover being a serial killer in other routes. MAYBE THIS TIME IS DIFFERENT.
Sanan and Chizuru do SCIENCE RESEARCH together! He at no point is impressed with her cleverness like Yamazaki was :/
Oh no Sanan unambiguously flirted with Chizuru and I did not like it at all. Nope. Go back to talking about science.
Hijikata says the vampire Shinsengumi won't be needed for the next battle and Sanan is angry, feeling discarded when he and his men could be of help. Chizuru overhears Hijikata telling Heisuke about the recent spate of serial killings, asking him to keep an eye on Sanan. Chizuru is SHOCKED that they could THINK such a thing.
Chizuru decides to tail him herself to have extra evidence that he's innocent. Suddenly he vanishes, and she feels the cold of his sword against her neck.
Sanan: But I've no right to hold a transgression against such an adorable face.
Me: JUST KILL HER NOW
He tells her he knows about everyone thinking he's a serial killer, and isn't surprised she does too. She nervously tries to explain that she thinks he's innocent but was tailing him anyway, realising it sounds implausible. He cuts her off with a finger on her lips and Chizuru and I have some complicated feelings about whether it was hot or creepy.
Heisuke saw her tailing Sanan, and he tries to persuade her that no matter how good of a person Sanan is, being a vampire for three years will mess with your head. The two wait for Sanan to return, and notice that he smells of blood.
It's really interesting having Heisuke as a sort of antagonist here because his behaviour is the same as ever, it's just Chizuru's attitude that's changed. Meanwhile Hijikata is definitely more anti-vampire than before for no good reason I can see, and this makes Sanan more sympathetic: he just wants to fight for the Shinsengumi, and isn't being allowed to. And his research is going nowhere.
Chizuru: You could use my blood.
Sanan: Are you sure? I would need a lot.
Chizuru: USE MY BODY SANAN
Me: Keep it in your pants Chizuru
The contrast between Chizuru's shoujo protagonist I BELIEVE IN YOU SANAN I'M SURE HIJIKATA WILL COME AROUND fluffy optimism and Sanan's dark, ominous mutterings is certainly something.
Sanan's gone missing!
Chizuru: I'll help look!
Hijikata: Oh god it's Chizuru and her creepy crush on Sanan. This is going to make killing him awkward.
Chizuru: Why would you kill him he's innocent ;_;
Hijikata: *heavy sigh*
Sanan, standing over a stabbed body, shaking chunks of flesh off his sword: I suppose there's no point giving an explanation ^_^
Hijikata and Heisuke, drawing their swords: >:/
Chizuru jumps between them, and Sanan laughs that anyone would defend him right now.
But then the "dead body" laughs...and then turns to ash.
Amagiri: Nice work, Sanan.
Hijikata: YOU'RE WORKING WITH DEMONS NOW???
Sanan explains that Stabdad's new vampires have been escaping, and Amagiri was ordered by the Imperialists to hunt them down. He joined forces with Sanan and they exchanged information. Hijikata is still super pissed and Sanan is confined to quarters.
Chizuru has a "dream" of Sanan coming into her room, lying next to her and playing with her hair? OK THEN SANAN. He says he came to thank her for her unwavering support and trust, though he doesn't deserve it. Which is a nice sentiment but maybe get her some flowers instead? He says it might be presumptuous but he suspects her selflessness is motivated by having feelings for him, and kisses her on the forehead.
Sanan: I will not wait for you answer. All I covet is the ghost of a thought. The dead do not belong with the living.
Then he says he has something he has to do, and wishes her goodbye. I have feels? Weird feels, but feels.
The next morning Sanan and all the other Shinsengumi vampires except Heisuke are gone. Everyone but Chizuru believes he is a traitor. So she quits the Shinsengumi to wait for Sanan in Edo, much to everyone's dismay. In a contrast to other paths, nobody ships this but Chizuru.
Days pass with no luck. But then one day she comes home to find...
Demon Princess Sen and her demon ninja bodyguard Kimiguku!! They are hot on the trail of Stabdad and his "fakes". They prefer the term Fury, Sen.
Sen decides the only reason Chizuru could still be convinced Sanan is a decent guy is if she's in love with him, lol. Chizuru can't really deny it. Anyway, since chances are Stabdad and Sanan are in the same place, they form a...
TRIPLE DEMON LADY TEAMUP :D
Kimiguku's spy skills eventually uncover a walled residential area that has been cut off and sounds like it might be where the Imperials have their vampires. When they arrive they find a field of dismembered bodies. They split up.
Suddenly...Sanan!
Chizuru: WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE
Sanan: What are YOU doing here??
Chizuru: I wanted to know why you left!
Sanan: Because you inspire toil and confusion in my tired heart. This would all be infinitely easier if you weren't here, yet I am drawn to the sentiment behind your ceaseless pursuit.
I guess that's...cute? God I don't know any more.
Being surrounded by so much blood drives him so bloodlusty I wonder if he'd have just eaten the bodies if Chizuru didn't give him blood. But of course she does and while it's pretty creepy they are both definitely into it so good for them.
Oh my god the dialogue literally refers to his "refractory period". Please be a little more subtle with your sex metaphors, game.
Chizuru: Sen and Kimiguku sure are taking a while, would you mind if I went looking for them?
Sanan: They have surely been apprehended by now. Better to let them figure it out themselves ^_^
Me: Sanan >:(
Chizuru: Wait, what?
Stabdad: Ah, you brought her to me!
Sanan: Don't fret, Yukimura. What could be better than a family reunion?
Me: SANAN D:<
Chizuru: Sanan?!
Kaoru: Apparently I inherited all the smart genes, eh sister?
My theory is he is attempting to manipulate Stabdad but WHO KNOWS
Chizuru: Sanan...are you still a Shinsengumi man?
Sanan: Yes. But...(a bunch of stuff about not being respected by the Shinsengumi etc)
Kaoru, grabbing her wrist: Come, sister, won't it be nice to live with Stabdad again?
Sen: UNHAND HER!!
Turns out Sen's sword flash colour is purple :D
Kimiguku is shocked to see Stabdad take on a demon form, since apparently only full blooded demons should be able to do that, and he gloats about the Power Of Vampires etc. They fight, and Sen fights Kaoru. SWORD SPRITES FOR ALL THE LADIES. They all seem evenly matched so screw everyone who said Chizuru couldn't ever be good at swords cos she's just a girl demon. GIRL DEMONS 4 EVER.
Chizuru draws her sword and Kaoru shouts at Sanan to take care of her. So he draws his sword and the two face off! Chizuru, her heart breaking, knows she will lose, but refuses to go down easy.
Ok, this path has it's issues, but it has given me science references, a triple demon lady team up and Chizuru drawing a sword on her love interest all "I love you but also will totally stab you" :D
There is a sword flash...IT'S HEISUKE. COME TO SAVE CHIZURU.
Awwwww Hijikata ordered him to stay in Edo to keep an eye on her.
Heisuke: Here I was hoping Hijikata's suspicions would be proven wrong but I guess not >:(
Aw, Heisuke, you adorable cinnamon roll. You're the only person who would trust Sanan without even being in love with him.
Sanan: We are not so different, you and I. JOIN ME MY YOUNG APPRENTICE.
They fight, and Sanan eventually gains the upper hand, and stabs him.
Sanan: I hope one day you learn to be grateful that I was the one to kill you.
Me: Ok that was definitely a fake death, but Heisuke still seems pretty...stabbed.
Stabdad: Haha! Killing off an old comrade for the sake of research, how deliciously sinister!
This is why none of the other scientists like you, Stabdad.
Days later, Chizuru is trapped in her room in Stabdad's castle.
Sanan: Here I am delivering you food when you used to deliver my food, isn't that funny?
Chizuru: I'm not hungry. Where are Sen, Kimiguku, and Heisuke? >:(
Sanan: Sen and Kimguku ran away. And you saw me kill Heisuke yourself.
Chizuru: :(
She starts slowly reaching towards her sword, but then Stabdad and Kaoru come in.
Stabdad: So how is my dear daughter Chizuru? ^_^
Sanan: Things are going swimmingly ^_^
Kaoru: Look at you, sister, still have some bite in those cheeks. You should give in before we start experimenting with ways to break you ^_^
Now we just need Kazama and it would be a SMUG VILLAIN MEGA PARTY
Stabdad explains his plan: to make everyone in Japan a vampire, blurring the lines between human and demon so everyone can live in harmony. (EXCEPT FOR ALL THE CANNIBALISM??) And to make it he needs a whole bunch of pure blooded demon blood. (USE KAORU)
Chizuru: Never!
Stabdad: Eh, I'll leave it to Sanan to try to persuade you.
Chizuru: SANAN >:(
Sanan: So I am to somehow make this proposal palatable. Well, come to my quarters and I shall make us some tea.
Chizuru: Thank you for the tea. SO YOU HAVE TO ADMIT MY DAD'S PLAN IS CRAZY, RIGHT??
Sanan: What if I said I agreed? That I am so bitter in my loneliness as a vampire that I want everyone else to join me?
Chizuru: It doesn't make any sense! You are a kind man!
Sanan: ...kind? It has been a long time since anyone described me that way :)
Sanan: ... :/
Sanan: Your intuition is inescapable. I don't agree with every aspect of his plan. Simple deduction pokes holes in it's logical feasibility.
Chizuru: Then why?
Sanan: I wanted to save the other vampires in what time I have left. Staying with the Shinsengumi would have been a death sentence for all of us. *he shows her his shoulder, which is starting to crack like dry rock* But the gods have repayed me for my treachery: your father claims not to know of any cure for vampirism.
Chizuru, putting her hands on his cheeks: You're still here. There's still hope.
Sanan: Why are you so kind to me. It gives me hope for something I can't have >:(
Chizuru: Well why not? When this is all over, you and I could get a little house, and...
Sanan: Stop it! This is childish delusion!
Chizuru: But I lo-
Sanan: If you keep on this topic I will have no option but to shut you up.
Chizuru: What do you-
And then he kisses her.
Sanan: This will not be easy. I am going to take precarious actions you may not approve of, do you understand?
Chizuru: Yes.
Chizuru: Kaoru, I will never agree to you and Father's terrible plan!
Kaoru: Eh no skin off my nose. I'm just in it to become head of the Yukimura clan, can't say I'm a huge fan of his plan for the world. And considering he abandoned me as a child for being a boy, I hardly trust him.
Chizuru: Then Kaoru, why don't you...
Kaoru: Anyway, the actual reason I came here was to ask if you want to see your lady demon friends get executed :D
Sen and Kimiguku, surrounded by vampires: We're so sorry, we came to rescue you but Sanan found us :(
Sanan this had BETTER be part of a very long game.
Chizuru: Dammit Sanan, when I agreed to you doing "precarious things" I thought you meant you'd put ME in danger not THEM!
Chizuru, girl, value yourself.
She volunteers to help her father's experiments if he lets them go free. Maybe it won't be so bad, giving them her blood. If it's what Sanan wants...
CHIZURU NO
Stabdad: Welp, Sanan, prepare for Chizuru to be a bloodbag imprisoned in her room for the rest of her life ^_^ I don't know why I let her wander so freely before, it just wasted all of our time when she joined the Shinsengumi.
Chizuru: WAIT ARE YOU INSULTING THE SHINSENGUMI YOU TRULY ARE AN EVIL MAN
*sigh*
Sanan approaches Chizuru.
Chizuru: Did it truly not mean anything to you? Us meeting, and the time we spent together?
Sanan: ...
Stabdad: Why do you pause! The moment you have waited for has arrived!
Sanan: Yes it has ^_^ *stabs Stabdad*
Stabdad: You would choose to abandon all hope of regaining your humanity, and die alone?
Sanan: I may die. But I am not alone *winks at Chizuru* I choose to believe in the dream of us together, even though it may be childish and implausible.
Stabdad: Idealistic words for someone who murdered his comrade.
Heisuke: STOP TELLING PEOPLE I'M DEAD >:D
Kimiguku and Sen: STAB STAB :D :D
Sanan: Looks like my deception paid off :D
Heisuke: "Deception", you say, like you didn't actually stab me.
Sanan: But I knew you'd understand, because we're friends :)
Chizuru: What am I, chopped liver? I was really scared :(
Sanan: Sorry, but you suck at lying. I do apologise that I took so long, though. I wanted to wait until I could make my betrayal as painful for Stabdad as possible >:)
Ah, Sanan. Still got add a lil creepy to your romantic good guy revelation.
But Stabdad just laughs as he brings in ALL the vampires, way more than they could possibly fight.
Sen: Well this is just excessive :/
And then...the vampires start fighting each other.
Sanan: Did you forget that some of these vampires are Shinsengumi men I brought with me?
Shinsengumi vampires: Innocent people will not be made to suffer on our watch!
Me: Aw. *tries not to think about all the paths where they were all mindless serial killers*
Stabdad: D: Well...well...I have one final trick up my sleeve! Super concentrated vampire serum!
Kaoru: Enough. *stabs him*
Stabdad: What????
Kaoru: *kneels down next to his spasming body* Bet you regret abandoning me as a child now, huh? *kick*
Stabdad: *gurgle*
Kaoru: Remember when you promised me power? That was what you wanted. All I ever wanted...was to rescue my adorable baby sister.
Me: You have a funny way of doing it, mate.
Kaoru: But then I found out she didn't need rescuing! That she got to be happy! So now all I want is to destroy everything she holds dear!!
Me: Ah.
Kaoru: Chizuru, PREPARE FOR THE SCORE TO BE EVENED *draws sword*
Heisuke and Sanan: COMBINED STAB OF FRIENDSHIP
Stabdad: With dying father assist! Also, Sanan, there IS a cure for vampirism after all. *dies for real*
Heisuke goes to take the Shinsengumi vampires up to help the war, and tells Sanan he's relying on him to develop a cure, so they can all go back into the light one day.
Sanan: Give my regards to Hijikata, though I imagine he has mixed feelings about me.
Heisuke: Nah, if he had really thought you'd betrayed him, he'd have killed you on the spot :)
We flash forward to Chizuru and Sanan snuggling on the tundra before they continue their quest for a cure, journeying to the exotic land of FRANCE from which come the strange demons called VAMPIRES. (I've been calling them vampires this whole time but this is the first time the game has used the word)
THE END
The "ACTUALLY HE WAS A GOOD GUY ALL ALONG THOSE CONSTANT RED FLAGS MEANT NOTHING" reveals would probably work better if I hadn't played 8 paths where he really was as bad as he seemed, but that goes with the territory. I more wish Kaoru and Stabdad were a little more nuanced, they were much more interesting on the Okita path.
Still, I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it at all, and I did? Mostly? I think?
So I think I need a break from Hakuoki before the repeated storybeats feel fresh again and everything stops feeling muted. But "muted feeling" seems like the perfect mood for playing CREEPY MAD SCIENTIST Sanan Keisuke so here we go.
It was...about as enjoyable as it was likely to be? The plot was enjoyably silly. He never stops being creepy, but I managed to mostly ship them anyway, and I can see it being fun if you're into creepy-yet-polite dominant older dudes.
** Spoilers**
It's been a while since I saw Sanan do anything unbearably creepy so I can almost see his sidelong smiles as endearing rather than skin crawling.
Oh no, he's musing sadly about feeling like losing himself, seeing himself as nothing more than a ghost, and Chizuru holds his hands and says maybe neither of them is human but they're still alive and in the world and he looks at her all surprised anyone cares and... I ship it? That was quick.
Like he's the only character with a tragic arc we might actually be able to stop (Hijikata and Souma still watch everyone they care about die, Okita still dies of tuberculosis)
Chizuru: I have faith in you, Sanan
Sanan: In someone like me o.O
Me: Aww
Sanan: You shouldn't have too much faith in adults ;)
Me: DAMMIT SANAN YOU JUST GOTTA MAKE IT CREEPY
He uses the personal pronoun "watashi" usually used by women, which I think implies formality and politeness.
Sanan and Kazama have a smug-villain-off, Sanan is all "I am not a fake demon I am a real vampire >:D" Eventually Amagiri has to break them up.
We actually see the discussion around Heisuke being turned. Despite being heartbroken, Nagakura thinks it would be better if he just died, which bodes ill for his own path. Ah and I have the choice to run after Nagakura, I guess this is another Nagakura path scene! SORRY NAGAKURA I AM SURE YOU WOULD BE A BETTER BOYFRIEND.
Sanan says some vague, self hating, cold things about what it will mean for Heisuke to be a vampire, and under Sanan's command. Chizuru is consistently compassionate and trusting and he finds it a bit disconcerting.
Sanan: *laughing darkly* You've made me be kind. If I start feeling sympathy for others, it will end badly.
Chizuru isn't oblivious to all the moustache twirling, but decides to have faith in him anyway. Your funeral, Chizuru.
The scene where Sanan tries to coerce Chizuru into giving him some of her blood for research happens unchanged. Ok then, Sanan.
Chizuru comes across Okita asking Sanan whether becoming a vampire would cure his tuberculosis. Sanan doesn't know but says it might, and Okita is about to try it anyway, but Chizuru stops him. Afterwards she accuses Sanan of projecting his feelings about the injury that made him decide to become a vampire onto Okita, and Sanan admits she's right.
Something I've noticed in all the new content, including the end to the Kazama path, is that Chizuru does a lot more medical stuff, and gets more respect as a medical expert. I like it! There's...also more lines like "please use me, my body is yours" which isn't really my kink but I can't pretend it doesn't fit the general tone.
Chizuru encounters a depressed Heisuke who eventually admits he skipped out on a battle after becoming increasingly uncomfortable with Sanan's bloodthirsty kill-everyone orders. Chizuru tries to convince herself Sanan must have a good reason, but does not entirely succeed.
Sanan comes in and has a calm conversation about how late Chizuru is up, all while covered in blood "even up to his mouth".
Chizuru: Um. Sanan... What's with all the blood?
Sanan: It seems like a normal amount to me. But perhaps there is more because Heisuke left and I had to pick up his slack.
Ooooh Sanan don't you go dragging Heisuke down >:(
Inoue and Chizuru run as the Shinsengumi are forced to retreat from The Battle Where Inoue Dies. Chizuru feels bad that Sanan and Heisuke are left inside but is reassured that they will be fine.
And of course...Inoue dies. Chizuru is hiding in an alleyway and wants to run to his body but is restrained by...
EVIL TWIN KAORU????
Still dressed as a girl, even.
Chizuru thanks him and asks to be taken to Yodo Castle, where the Shinsengumi are. Kaoru nods, but after they have been running a while Chizuru realises they have ended up in an unfamiliar forest shrine.
Chizuru: This is not Yodo Castle :/
Kaoru: Heh, forget about that place. Someone here is waiting for you :)
me: Ohhhh nooooo. Is it Kazama, or....nope. Stabdad :(
I am wondering how horrifying Stabdad will be when he has to be the bad guy compared to Sanan "brainwash a woman into marrying me by forcing her to drink my blood" Keisuke D:
But he starts out pretty reasonable sounding, implying he only worked with the Imperialists because they forced him, and making vague remarks about wanting to contact Chizuru but he couldn't because "she was with the Shinsengumi". And then...
Stabdad: I believe you have met a man named Lord Kazama?
me: KAZAMA AND STABDAD???
Stabdad: He gave me quite a scolding for not telling him you were a demon. But now preparations are in order, and your father will never leave your side. Come with me, child ^_^
Me: NOPE
Chizuru: .....nope?
OH GOD Sanan is here and he and Stabdad are having a "softly spoken creepy passive aggressive scientist villain"-off. Chizuru edges towards Sanan since he is the least creepy of the two.
Oh man. So the blood on his clothes before was from investigating "the little rat he'd noticed sniffing around headquarters", and spilled in the interest of protecting Chizuru.
He describes Kaoru as a boy and when Chizuru expresses surprise says "You are so easily deceived. But I suppose that is what is good about you, too.". A+ flirting, Sanan.
Koaru, changing clothes in an instant: Yes, I am your brother ^_^
And then he has a mean-taunt-off with Sanan. Thank god we're only getting them in pairs.
Well as long as Chizuru is happy I guess:
Stabdad is smugly complacent about having used the Shinsengumi as disposable lab rats then abandoned them when someone else offered more money. This actually pisses Sanan off, and Chizuru too. Stabdad seems more sad about being rejected by his fellow evil scientist.
Stabdad: Well, I suppose I don't need your forgiveness. I offer a simple exchange: I cure the side effects of being a vampire and you give me my daughter ^_^
Sanan: That would be against the Shinsengumi bylaw about litigation agreements without former agreement ^_^
Stabdad: I suppose this means we have a breakdown in negotiations ^_^
Kaoru: OH MY GOD CAN I JUST STAB HIM NOW
Stabdad: No, he is an example of a successful vampire experiment, I wish to examine him further.
THE SCIENTIST BECOMES THE SCIENCE
Chizuru: Father, Koaru: I don't want to go with you so please just stop!
Koaru: You don't like us? ;_; WAIT I GET IT. They're manipulating you! Him, and Okita too! DON'T WORRY CHIZURU BIG BROTHER WILL SAVE YOU.
What does Okita have to do with any of this, Chizuru has barely spoken to him on this path. Get your nemesis-crush under control, Kaoru.
Sanan and Chizuru reunite with the Shinsengumi. On the ship to Edo, an injured Yamazaki croaks out a request for Sanan, but by the time he arrives with the serum Yamazaki is dead :( Afterwards, Chizuru and Sanan have a moment of sad connection about just wanting their comrades to be safe.
Onto Edo Blossoms!
Sanan wants to do rounds in Edo. I would believe his argument about keeping the streets safe if he hadn't, you know, consistently turned out to be using this as an excuse to cover being a serial killer in other routes. MAYBE THIS TIME IS DIFFERENT.
Sanan and Chizuru do SCIENCE RESEARCH together! He at no point is impressed with her cleverness like Yamazaki was :/
Oh no Sanan unambiguously flirted with Chizuru and I did not like it at all. Nope. Go back to talking about science.
Hijikata says the vampire Shinsengumi won't be needed for the next battle and Sanan is angry, feeling discarded when he and his men could be of help. Chizuru overhears Hijikata telling Heisuke about the recent spate of serial killings, asking him to keep an eye on Sanan. Chizuru is SHOCKED that they could THINK such a thing.
Chizuru decides to tail him herself to have extra evidence that he's innocent. Suddenly he vanishes, and she feels the cold of his sword against her neck.
Sanan: But I've no right to hold a transgression against such an adorable face.
Me: JUST KILL HER NOW
He tells her he knows about everyone thinking he's a serial killer, and isn't surprised she does too. She nervously tries to explain that she thinks he's innocent but was tailing him anyway, realising it sounds implausible. He cuts her off with a finger on her lips and Chizuru and I have some complicated feelings about whether it was hot or creepy.
Heisuke saw her tailing Sanan, and he tries to persuade her that no matter how good of a person Sanan is, being a vampire for three years will mess with your head. The two wait for Sanan to return, and notice that he smells of blood.
It's really interesting having Heisuke as a sort of antagonist here because his behaviour is the same as ever, it's just Chizuru's attitude that's changed. Meanwhile Hijikata is definitely more anti-vampire than before for no good reason I can see, and this makes Sanan more sympathetic: he just wants to fight for the Shinsengumi, and isn't being allowed to. And his research is going nowhere.
Chizuru: You could use my blood.
Sanan: Are you sure? I would need a lot.
Chizuru: USE MY BODY SANAN
Me: Keep it in your pants Chizuru
The contrast between Chizuru's shoujo protagonist I BELIEVE IN YOU SANAN I'M SURE HIJIKATA WILL COME AROUND fluffy optimism and Sanan's dark, ominous mutterings is certainly something.
Sanan's gone missing!
Chizuru: I'll help look!
Hijikata: Oh god it's Chizuru and her creepy crush on Sanan. This is going to make killing him awkward.
Chizuru: Why would you kill him he's innocent ;_;
Hijikata: *heavy sigh*
Sanan, standing over a stabbed body, shaking chunks of flesh off his sword: I suppose there's no point giving an explanation ^_^
Hijikata and Heisuke, drawing their swords: >:/
Chizuru jumps between them, and Sanan laughs that anyone would defend him right now.
But then the "dead body" laughs...and then turns to ash.
Amagiri: Nice work, Sanan.
Hijikata: YOU'RE WORKING WITH DEMONS NOW???
Sanan explains that Stabdad's new vampires have been escaping, and Amagiri was ordered by the Imperialists to hunt them down. He joined forces with Sanan and they exchanged information. Hijikata is still super pissed and Sanan is confined to quarters.
Chizuru has a "dream" of Sanan coming into her room, lying next to her and playing with her hair? OK THEN SANAN. He says he came to thank her for her unwavering support and trust, though he doesn't deserve it. Which is a nice sentiment but maybe get her some flowers instead? He says it might be presumptuous but he suspects her selflessness is motivated by having feelings for him, and kisses her on the forehead.
Sanan: I will not wait for you answer. All I covet is the ghost of a thought. The dead do not belong with the living.
Then he says he has something he has to do, and wishes her goodbye. I have feels? Weird feels, but feels.
The next morning Sanan and all the other Shinsengumi vampires except Heisuke are gone. Everyone but Chizuru believes he is a traitor. So she quits the Shinsengumi to wait for Sanan in Edo, much to everyone's dismay. In a contrast to other paths, nobody ships this but Chizuru.
Days pass with no luck. But then one day she comes home to find...
Demon Princess Sen and her demon ninja bodyguard Kimiguku!! They are hot on the trail of Stabdad and his "fakes". They prefer the term Fury, Sen.
Sen decides the only reason Chizuru could still be convinced Sanan is a decent guy is if she's in love with him, lol. Chizuru can't really deny it. Anyway, since chances are Stabdad and Sanan are in the same place, they form a...
TRIPLE DEMON LADY TEAMUP :D
Kimiguku's spy skills eventually uncover a walled residential area that has been cut off and sounds like it might be where the Imperials have their vampires. When they arrive they find a field of dismembered bodies. They split up.
Suddenly...Sanan!
Chizuru: WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE
Sanan: What are YOU doing here??
Chizuru: I wanted to know why you left!
Sanan: Because you inspire toil and confusion in my tired heart. This would all be infinitely easier if you weren't here, yet I am drawn to the sentiment behind your ceaseless pursuit.
I guess that's...cute? God I don't know any more.
Being surrounded by so much blood drives him so bloodlusty I wonder if he'd have just eaten the bodies if Chizuru didn't give him blood. But of course she does and while it's pretty creepy they are both definitely into it so good for them.
Oh my god the dialogue literally refers to his "refractory period". Please be a little more subtle with your sex metaphors, game.
Chizuru: Sen and Kimiguku sure are taking a while, would you mind if I went looking for them?
Sanan: They have surely been apprehended by now. Better to let them figure it out themselves ^_^
Me: Sanan >:(
Chizuru: Wait, what?
Stabdad: Ah, you brought her to me!
Sanan: Don't fret, Yukimura. What could be better than a family reunion?
Me: SANAN D:<
Chizuru: Sanan?!
Kaoru: Apparently I inherited all the smart genes, eh sister?
My theory is he is attempting to manipulate Stabdad but WHO KNOWS
Chizuru: Sanan...are you still a Shinsengumi man?
Sanan: Yes. But...(a bunch of stuff about not being respected by the Shinsengumi etc)
Kaoru, grabbing her wrist: Come, sister, won't it be nice to live with Stabdad again?
Sen: UNHAND HER!!
Turns out Sen's sword flash colour is purple :D
Kimiguku is shocked to see Stabdad take on a demon form, since apparently only full blooded demons should be able to do that, and he gloats about the Power Of Vampires etc. They fight, and Sen fights Kaoru. SWORD SPRITES FOR ALL THE LADIES. They all seem evenly matched so screw everyone who said Chizuru couldn't ever be good at swords cos she's just a girl demon. GIRL DEMONS 4 EVER.
Chizuru draws her sword and Kaoru shouts at Sanan to take care of her. So he draws his sword and the two face off! Chizuru, her heart breaking, knows she will lose, but refuses to go down easy.
Ok, this path has it's issues, but it has given me science references, a triple demon lady team up and Chizuru drawing a sword on her love interest all "I love you but also will totally stab you" :D
There is a sword flash...IT'S HEISUKE. COME TO SAVE CHIZURU.
Awwwww Hijikata ordered him to stay in Edo to keep an eye on her.
Heisuke: Here I was hoping Hijikata's suspicions would be proven wrong but I guess not >:(
Aw, Heisuke, you adorable cinnamon roll. You're the only person who would trust Sanan without even being in love with him.
Sanan: We are not so different, you and I. JOIN ME MY YOUNG APPRENTICE.
They fight, and Sanan eventually gains the upper hand, and stabs him.
Sanan: I hope one day you learn to be grateful that I was the one to kill you.
Me: Ok that was definitely a fake death, but Heisuke still seems pretty...stabbed.
Stabdad: Haha! Killing off an old comrade for the sake of research, how deliciously sinister!
This is why none of the other scientists like you, Stabdad.
Days later, Chizuru is trapped in her room in Stabdad's castle.
Sanan: Here I am delivering you food when you used to deliver my food, isn't that funny?
Chizuru: I'm not hungry. Where are Sen, Kimiguku, and Heisuke? >:(
Sanan: Sen and Kimguku ran away. And you saw me kill Heisuke yourself.
Chizuru: :(
She starts slowly reaching towards her sword, but then Stabdad and Kaoru come in.
Stabdad: So how is my dear daughter Chizuru? ^_^
Sanan: Things are going swimmingly ^_^
Kaoru: Look at you, sister, still have some bite in those cheeks. You should give in before we start experimenting with ways to break you ^_^
Now we just need Kazama and it would be a SMUG VILLAIN MEGA PARTY
Stabdad explains his plan: to make everyone in Japan a vampire, blurring the lines between human and demon so everyone can live in harmony. (EXCEPT FOR ALL THE CANNIBALISM??) And to make it he needs a whole bunch of pure blooded demon blood. (USE KAORU)
Chizuru: Never!
Stabdad: Eh, I'll leave it to Sanan to try to persuade you.
Chizuru: SANAN >:(
Sanan: So I am to somehow make this proposal palatable. Well, come to my quarters and I shall make us some tea.
Chizuru: Thank you for the tea. SO YOU HAVE TO ADMIT MY DAD'S PLAN IS CRAZY, RIGHT??
Sanan: What if I said I agreed? That I am so bitter in my loneliness as a vampire that I want everyone else to join me?
Chizuru: It doesn't make any sense! You are a kind man!
Sanan: ...kind? It has been a long time since anyone described me that way :)
Sanan: ... :/
Sanan: Your intuition is inescapable. I don't agree with every aspect of his plan. Simple deduction pokes holes in it's logical feasibility.
Chizuru: Then why?
Sanan: I wanted to save the other vampires in what time I have left. Staying with the Shinsengumi would have been a death sentence for all of us. *he shows her his shoulder, which is starting to crack like dry rock* But the gods have repayed me for my treachery: your father claims not to know of any cure for vampirism.
Chizuru, putting her hands on his cheeks: You're still here. There's still hope.
Sanan: Why are you so kind to me. It gives me hope for something I can't have >:(
Chizuru: Well why not? When this is all over, you and I could get a little house, and...
Sanan: Stop it! This is childish delusion!
Chizuru: But I lo-
Sanan: If you keep on this topic I will have no option but to shut you up.
Chizuru: What do you-
And then he kisses her.
Sanan: This will not be easy. I am going to take precarious actions you may not approve of, do you understand?
Chizuru: Yes.
Chizuru: Kaoru, I will never agree to you and Father's terrible plan!
Kaoru: Eh no skin off my nose. I'm just in it to become head of the Yukimura clan, can't say I'm a huge fan of his plan for the world. And considering he abandoned me as a child for being a boy, I hardly trust him.
Chizuru: Then Kaoru, why don't you...
Kaoru: Anyway, the actual reason I came here was to ask if you want to see your lady demon friends get executed :D
Sen and Kimiguku, surrounded by vampires: We're so sorry, we came to rescue you but Sanan found us :(
Sanan this had BETTER be part of a very long game.
Chizuru: Dammit Sanan, when I agreed to you doing "precarious things" I thought you meant you'd put ME in danger not THEM!
Chizuru, girl, value yourself.
She volunteers to help her father's experiments if he lets them go free. Maybe it won't be so bad, giving them her blood. If it's what Sanan wants...
CHIZURU NO
Stabdad: Welp, Sanan, prepare for Chizuru to be a bloodbag imprisoned in her room for the rest of her life ^_^ I don't know why I let her wander so freely before, it just wasted all of our time when she joined the Shinsengumi.
Chizuru: WAIT ARE YOU INSULTING THE SHINSENGUMI YOU TRULY ARE AN EVIL MAN
*sigh*
Sanan approaches Chizuru.
Chizuru: Did it truly not mean anything to you? Us meeting, and the time we spent together?
Sanan: ...
Stabdad: Why do you pause! The moment you have waited for has arrived!
Sanan: Yes it has ^_^ *stabs Stabdad*
Stabdad: You would choose to abandon all hope of regaining your humanity, and die alone?
Sanan: I may die. But I am not alone *winks at Chizuru* I choose to believe in the dream of us together, even though it may be childish and implausible.
Stabdad: Idealistic words for someone who murdered his comrade.
Heisuke: STOP TELLING PEOPLE I'M DEAD >:D
Kimiguku and Sen: STAB STAB :D :D
Sanan: Looks like my deception paid off :D
Heisuke: "Deception", you say, like you didn't actually stab me.
Sanan: But I knew you'd understand, because we're friends :)
Chizuru: What am I, chopped liver? I was really scared :(
Sanan: Sorry, but you suck at lying. I do apologise that I took so long, though. I wanted to wait until I could make my betrayal as painful for Stabdad as possible >:)
Ah, Sanan. Still got add a lil creepy to your romantic good guy revelation.
But Stabdad just laughs as he brings in ALL the vampires, way more than they could possibly fight.
Sen: Well this is just excessive :/
And then...the vampires start fighting each other.
Sanan: Did you forget that some of these vampires are Shinsengumi men I brought with me?
Shinsengumi vampires: Innocent people will not be made to suffer on our watch!
Me: Aw. *tries not to think about all the paths where they were all mindless serial killers*
Stabdad: D: Well...well...I have one final trick up my sleeve! Super concentrated vampire serum!
Kaoru: Enough. *stabs him*
Stabdad: What????
Kaoru: *kneels down next to his spasming body* Bet you regret abandoning me as a child now, huh? *kick*
Stabdad: *gurgle*
Kaoru: Remember when you promised me power? That was what you wanted. All I ever wanted...was to rescue my adorable baby sister.
Me: You have a funny way of doing it, mate.
Kaoru: But then I found out she didn't need rescuing! That she got to be happy! So now all I want is to destroy everything she holds dear!!
Me: Ah.
Kaoru: Chizuru, PREPARE FOR THE SCORE TO BE EVENED *draws sword*
Heisuke and Sanan: COMBINED STAB OF FRIENDSHIP
Stabdad: With dying father assist! Also, Sanan, there IS a cure for vampirism after all. *dies for real*
Heisuke goes to take the Shinsengumi vampires up to help the war, and tells Sanan he's relying on him to develop a cure, so they can all go back into the light one day.
Sanan: Give my regards to Hijikata, though I imagine he has mixed feelings about me.
Heisuke: Nah, if he had really thought you'd betrayed him, he'd have killed you on the spot :)
We flash forward to Chizuru and Sanan snuggling on the tundra before they continue their quest for a cure, journeying to the exotic land of FRANCE from which come the strange demons called VAMPIRES. (I've been calling them vampires this whole time but this is the first time the game has used the word)
THE END
The "ACTUALLY HE WAS A GOOD GUY ALL ALONG THOSE CONSTANT RED FLAGS MEANT NOTHING" reveals would probably work better if I hadn't played 8 paths where he really was as bad as he seemed, but that goes with the territory. I more wish Kaoru and Stabdad were a little more nuanced, they were much more interesting on the Okita path.
Still, I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it at all, and I did? Mostly? I think?
