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alias_sqbr) wrote2018-07-26 05:42 am
alias_sqbr) wrote2018-07-26 05:42 am
Hakuoki: Iba
Background information and links to previous posts
A good 2 hours after saying I was going to take a break, time for princely childhood friend Iba Hachiro!
And...it was so INTENSELY BATSHIT CRAZY AND FUCKED UP I can't even decide how I felt about it??? It was certainly an experience. I liked it right until it triggered me, which makes it hard to judge. Speaking of which...
Content note: Weird Sex Stuff and Consent Issues, even by the standards of this game.
** Spoilers**
So I know the start and end of Iba's story: He's well born. He befriended Chizuru as a child in Edo. He later independently met and befriended Hijikata before getting a job high up in the Shogunate. Early on in the game he shows up and says hi to them both. He goes off and does SOMETHING for four years. At some point during the war he injures his hand, then he joins Hijikata right at the end of the war at Doomed Democracy Island.
So now I get to see that SOMETHING.
We first encounter Iba when he passive aggressively stands up to douchebag Shinsengumi Takeda when he's attempting to extort money from local businesses by accusing anyone who doesn't do what he wants of being an Imperialist.
Editing note: Takeda ends up being important on this path, but has never done anything interesting on the others. He's just been this background annoyance, sucking up to those in power but too incompetent to even be recruited by the bad guys.
HA I forgot that Chizuru's very first reaction to Iba is to be distracted from what he's saying by how hot he is. "Almost as gorgeous as Hijikata" lol.
Translation, you may say he says "leave it to me" but I know he said "Leave it to big brother".
Iba shows up the second time to visit Hijikata. They call each other by their first names (I'm a little sad Chizuru never uses Hijikata's cute nickname "Toshi") and when Iba compliments Hijikata on his success he is at first defensive then blushes. Hijikata looks at Iba more warmly than he pretty much does at anyone ever, and Iba looks at Hijikata with stars in his eyes.
I am wondering exactly how much this path is going to make me ship them. But hey, I like Chizuru/Hijikata and I like poly!
Anyway! Iba is a bodyguard to the Shogun (about as prestigious a job as any samurai can have) and the son of the head of a major Edo dojo. That dojo socialised with the one that became the Shinsengumi, and Iba befriended everyone.
I do NOT find it as endearing when guys "just know" Chizuru is a girl as the game thinks I will, but since he turns out to have known Chizuru when they were kids I guess it's ok. *mutters*
He's plausibly the gentle sweetie pie he seems but he kind of reminds me of the older-brother-esque childhood friend from Amnesia who went from perfectly nice on everyone else's route to FULL YANDERE on his route and locked the protagonist in a cage "for her own safety". I GUESS WE'LL SEE.
New scene: Chizuru is annoyed everyone keeps recognising her gender, and stands in front of the mirror practicing "talking like a guy", the nature of which the translation does not get across very well.
Iba: I think you're trying too hard, talking with bravado doesn't suit you.
Chizuru: AHHH HOW LONG WERE YOU THERE
I would find this annoying from most male characters but Iba is the king of gentle passivity, so he clearly doesn't see it as a gendered trait. Anyway, he's been looking into Stabdad in Edo with no success. It occurs to me that he already knows Stabdad, which will be interesting. Chizuru is sad and he says he's heard rumours about Stabdad in Kyoto, and gets permission to take her out with him to investigate.
...but when she presses him for details he has to admit he lied to cheer her up.
*puts a mark in the Red Flags box*
He says they met when Chizuru was five which she thinks of as "around the time she moved the Edo". It seems implausible that he met her BEFORE that, and is another Yukimura demon, but you never know! He's definitely very sad that she doesn't remember, and I am very curious to know if there's something unexpected going on.
OH HEY. So the thing where Kazama and the other demons show up to kidnap Chizuru and reveal she's a Demon Princess is an event involving the shogun...which means Iba is there to defend her! "She is an ordinary girl and always has been" ha yeah not so much dude.
Nice demon Amagiri says he should fight Iba because Kazama and Shiranui are no good at not killing people, aw. He's impressed with Iba's skill, but grabs his sword with his bare hands and says "I notice you only aim at my arms and legs. I take it you've never taken a life before."
Shiranui tells Amagiri to stop playing around and takes out his gun, so Chizuru instinctively jumps in the way and takes a bullet THROUGH HER HANDS.
Iba: Chizuru!
Chizuru: I'm...fine... (Wow being shot through the hands sucks)
All three demons set their sights on Iba, and all looks lost but then HIJIKATA APPEARS.
Oooh, ok so by the time Iba gets to actually look at Chizuru's hands they have healed. My options are "Show him my hands" and "Hide my hands" and the walkthrough says hide them??? Does he already know, and will be happier if he thinks Chizuru is hiding her secret well?
I pick "Show him my hands" anyway because it really does feel right, and he seems briefly surprised then reassures her she is an ordinary girl. "Hide them" has him ask if there's some reason she needs to hide them and then persuade her to show them, continuing on the same way.
Chizuru has a bout of I AM A MONSTER self hatred which hopefully doesn't presage a repeat of the Harada path.
He begins to describe their childhood, holding hands to get sweets and trying to read Stabdad's books. She finally remembers him as an older boy who was quiet and liked to read. And then she remembers that it wasn't her father to whom she promised to never reveal her superhealing...it was Iba. Or, as she now remembers him, Hachiro.
(We do NOT get a cute CG of them as children even though I bet it would have been adorable, GAME)
Oh HO. Iba already knows about the vampires, since the Shogunate had the serum first. I am curious to see what Iba's arc is as the shogunate and Shinsengumi's interests diverge.
Iba speaks with restrained horror of the first vampire experiments, where many men died, both test subjects and those failing to control the monsters created. BUT he didn't know the serum came from Stabdad and is shocked.
He asks if they "plan" to continue with the experiments and Hijikata grumpily points out that while the Shogunate orders them to continue it's not their choice to make. Iba gets all Serious Voice (about half an octave lower than his usual soft high tenor) and asks what their contingency plans are, clearly worried about Chizuru's safety in particular. He offers to talk to the shogunate.
Hijikata says the vampires are too useful, and what would happen to the ones they already have? Chizuru notices how handsome his face is even though this is an Iba path scene, I hope there's not more annoying love triangle/jealousy drama with Iba like there was on the Souma path.
I don't really understand why they can't stop the experimented without killing the existing vampires but that's the logic they're going with, and since Iba is already friends with Sanan and Heisuke he is sympathetic.
OOOH WAS TAKEDA EAVESDROPPING
Chizuru calls out Iba's name for help when Takeda tries grilling her for information, Iba is SUPER INTO her having done that and calls himself her big brother again (I'm not sure if I'm glad I can recognise the word or not lol. I know Japanese people refer to each other as metaphorical relatives a lot but this still feels a little like being on the Kaoru route)
Iba faces the screen helping someone train and for JUST A MOMENT I thought it would be Chizuru but no he's helping Saito's training session (I didn't realise until watching the prequel anime that Saito runs daily training sessions for weaker swordsmen!)
Okita challenges Iba to a match and when he wins says Iba's sword has become pale and lifeless. ...I can't believe this is the first time it's occurred to me to think of swordfighting as a sex metaphor. In my defence the blood-drinking was very distracting.
Takeda is next, saying he "wants to see Iba's kotengu for himself". I BET YOU DO. (A kotengu turns out to be a sort of bird spirit, "Iba's kotengu" is Iba's nickname at the Iba family dojo) Iba is gaining the upper hand when Saito calls a stop: Takeda is clearly trying to kill Iba.
Takdea: We're training for battle, and people in battle try to kill you, so actually I was helping Iba.
Weirdly enough this does not convince anyone.
Iba muses to Chizuru that Okita has surpassed him as a swordsman because he's had to fight tooth and nail to survive while Iba has lived safely and never had to fight for his life. I wonder how old Iba was when he met Kondou, Hijikata and Okita? Were he and Okita still children? I think Iba's around Okita's age eg 21.
Iba: Your life here is very dangerous. Would you like me to ask Hijikata if you can stay with me?
Me: POSSIBLY IN A CAGE???
Chizuru: For now I want to stay here and search for my father
Iba: ;_;
Chizuru: But I'm glad to know I can call on you if I need help
Iba: :D :D
HEY IT'S THE FINAL MYSTERIOUS BISHIE FROM THE OPENING CREDITS: Motoyama, who turns out to be one of Iba's coworkers.
Motoyama, to Chizuru: I wouldn't have expected someone like you to be a Shinsengumi.
Iba: Don't underestimate Yukimura because they look like a child, they're Hijikata's page.
Motoyama: THE DEMON COMMANDER HIJIKATA?? LETS LEAVE BEFORE WE GET KILLED.
OH HEY the trouble-making group Kaoru is part of is mentioned as being from Tosa I just never noticed before because I am so bad at names >.>
Chizuru accidentally gets separated from the Shinsengumi she's out with and worries they'll think she's running away and kill her. I skip through the early part of the game so much it's easy to forget how precarious her position is to start with.
She bumps into Iba and he offers to take her back but she realises he's going the wrong way.
Iba: It's just the scenic route. Don't worry I'm not abducting you ^_^
Me: THAT'S WHAT THEY ALL SAY
Sen: OMG CHIZURU WHO'S THE HOTTIE ARE YOU ON A DATE
Chizuru: N-no!
Sen: I'd have remembered if any of the Shinsengumi were that...refined.
Sen stares at Iba intently as he explains who he is. She decides he's not currently a threat to Chizuru, and moves on to checking whether the men of the Shinsengumi are treating Chizuru well. Sen <3
Chizuru feels down about the current political situation.
Iba, putting his hands on her shoulders: I will always be here to protect you :)
Sen: Oh will you now >:/ Her fate is heavier than she knows, and the people after her more powerful than you can imagine.
Iba: What do you know? >:/
*Chizuru protection squad staring contest ensues*
Sen: Can you really protect her?
Iba: There is a reason for me to protect her, even if she doesn't remember it.
Chizuru: This is more than a childhood friends thing, isn't it?
Iba: I would give everything I am to protect you. But I won't tell you why, consider it payback for forgetting ^_^
Kondou: There you are! We thought you got abducted D:
Okita: Aw I was hoping to see you cry about being lost :3
Iba: That's unfortunate >:/
Motoyama: OMG IBA THERE YOU ARE DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU
Iba: A while? >.>
Motoyama: I can't believe you just ran off from work when you saw someone who looked like Yukimura!
Okita: Oh really :3
Iba: TIME TO GO BACK TO WORK *runs*
Okita: Hmm. I wonder if that was scripted. Iba's a sharp cat :3
Chizuru thinks sadly that Saito and Heisuke are off with Itou's imperialists, and SEEMS TO MISS HEISUKE MORE THAN SAITO HOW DARE
She bumps into Takeda, who is leaving The Shisnengumi, and is worried he'll cause trouble. But he's just feeling melancholy about leaving everything behind after joining with such big dreams. She realises she'll miss him a tiny bit too.
But then she sees him sneaking into Sanan's vampire lab (which I haven't seen before!) to steal stuff. She chases after him into the city, but once they're alone he confronts her.
Takeda: You're too incompetent to be kept around without having some secret knowledge. What is this? *shows vampire serum* Some sort of "vampire" strength potion?
Chizuru: Um. Nothing?
Takeda: I bet I can make a packet selling it to the shogunate. Or the Imperialists! Whoever will pay more :D
Chizuru: *stab*
Takeda: WHAT THE FUCK YOU DON'T STAB PEOPLE *stabs back*
Chizuru: *heals*
Takeda: OH MY GOD YOU'RE A..A...VAMPIRE.
I think this is the closest Chizuru has come to a successful sword fight with a villain. Go Chizuru!
Takeda: I can use you to demonstrate the vampire serum to my customers :D
Iba: OH NO YOU DON'T
Takeda: Why are you protecting her? She's a monster! Here, I'll show you! *stabs Chizuru*
Me: Takeda I do not think stabbing the yandere's love interest will turn out well for you
Everything goes black and when Chizuru opens her eyes...Iba has CUT OFF TAKEDA'S ARM. He makes dark pronouncements about what happens to those who threaten Chizuru in a deep whisper.
Takeda: Well...I'll just take this vampire serum! *drops serum and all the papers he stole*
This game has made me care about all it's villains but this is the first time one has been endearingly incompetent.
OH MY GOD HE JUST TRIPPED OVER ON HIS OWN BLOOD
AND FELL INTO THE RIVER
Chizuru: I'll save you Takeda!
Iba: No we should let him die ^_^ But are you ok? Let me see your injury!
Chizuru: No! It's fine. Because I am a monster :(
Iba comforts her and pets her hair, but she realises his hands are shaking.
Iba: I've never lost control like that before. Is this how Hijikata and the others feel all the time?
Me: I'd say no but...Okita.
Hijikata and Iba discuss the current political situation including: Sakamoto! Who Hijikata really wishes he could stab but has to protect for political reasons.
And then they get a hot tip about people trying to assassinate him! OMG IS THIS A SAKAMOTO SCENE NOT ON HIS PATH??? DID I UNLOCK HIM OR SOMETHING??
Aw they're too late. Sakamoto and Nakaoka are dead. This name drop is still more than Nakoaka gets on any other path haha.
Iba sadly explains to Chizuru quite how dire things look politically for the Shogunate from his position, especially since he doubts how many vassals will stay loyal. Chizuru cheers him up by saying the Shinsengumi will stay by the Shogun no matter what, and he agrees and expresses his faith in Hijikata.
As predicted, war starts brewing. Kondou is shot, and Okita's tuberculosis has progressed, so Hijikata orders Chizuru to go with them to Osaka Castle (which I think is where the Shogun is?) to help with their medical care and keep safe. Iba is naturally a big fan of this plan but Chizuru is not.
The walkthrough says to follow orders but I want to see what happens if you don't.
Hijikata: You hide it well but you're a stubborn one. I guess I can't win with Edo women :)
Iba: Heh. Other than the women of your home town I didn't think I'd meet a woman who could break you :)
Game are you trying to make me ship all of them.
Meanwhile if Chizuru accepts the order, she gains Iba points but he asks if this is what she really wants.
Chizuru: No, I want to stay and care for the wounded. I can do more here.
Iba: She makes a strong argument. And if I take her with me she'll resent me :(
Hijikata: Got to you too, has she?
GAME
(I am conveniently forgetting that Hijikata met them both, at the latest, when he was in his late 20s and they were in their teens >.>)
Hijikata: Anyway, I don't think war will really happen. And if it does, we'll win!
me: Oh, Hijikata :(
Iba: Mmmm :(
Iba: Do you need help walking?
Okita: *cough* What do you think, you prick? *cough*
Iba: I'll take that as a yes.
Okita: *cough* I must be sick if I need a pussy who can't even swing a sword to help me *cough*
Me: WHY DO I FIND THIS ENDEARING NOW
It's time to go. Chizuru and Iba stand together in the gentle breeze at sunset. Iba closes his eyes and speaks to her in a soft voice.
Me: Aw, he's going to wish her an affectionate farewell.
Iba: If I had my way, I'd take you with me. Even if it was by force.
THAT'S A BIG TICK IN THE RED FLAG BOX BOYS
Chizuru: Aw, he's worried about me :(
He grabs her hand forcefully and makes her promise to look after her own survival no matter what.
TIME FOR THE BATTLE WHERE INOUE DIES
Inoue and Chizuru are sent to carry the vampire research documents to safety. As they're passing the area Chizuru knows Iba is fighting in, they hear footsteps.
Me: Iba?
Stabdad: NOPE :D
He gives this spiel about having been captured and worrying for Chizuru's safety and I'm 95% sure he's lying, 5% wondering if the game just decided to have him be nice this time.
BUT NOPE
As Chizuru is backing away, she bumps into someone unexpected. It's....
TAKEDA!!
AND HE HAS TWO ARMS!!
(Though one hand's in pointy bandages that look suspiciously like the ones I know Iba ends up getting)
Takeda: You left me for dead but this old man saved me!
Stabdad: Join me, Chizuru!!
Inoue, whispering: Chizuru is it just me or has your dad become a super-villain
Chizuru: ...yeah :(
So Inoue draws his sword and tells Chizuru to go ahead. She remembers her promise to Iba to survive no matter what, and I am given the choices "I understand" and "I will fight with you", the latter of which leads to a bad end. HMMM. I think I'll choose to run.
She eventually runs across Iba, who has been forced to retreat along with all the other shogunate troops.
Iba: Why are you alone? Is Hijikata ok?
Chizuru: Yes, I...
Stabdad: THERE YOU ARE CHIZURU
Iba: Dr Yukimura??? It's me, little Iba Hachiro!
Stabdad: Aw, look how you've grown up! Now hand over my daughter ^_^
Iba: Well that's a red flag if ever I heard one >:/
And then...Takeda appears!
Iba: I am SURE I cut off your arm
Chizuru: OH NO HE DRANK THE VAMPIRE SERUM
Stabdad: The vampire serum can't regrow limbs. But I've found a way to replace them: Not with human limbs, but with something stronger.
Me: ...a gorilla?
Takeda: BEHOLD MY DEMON'S ARM
Me: Ah. ...wait, don't demon's arms look like human ones?
But no, he rips off the bloody bandages to reveal long purple fingernails and mottled skin marked with strange designs. He is much more powerful than Iba now.
Takeda: Come to think of it, you sliced off my arm like THIS! *slices most of the way through Iba's left arm*
Iba: Ahhhhhhh D: D: D:
Takeda: HA TRY USING A SWORD NOW DOJO BITCH
Iba: I still have...my right arm...
Takeda: Seriously?
Iba: I made a vow to protect her...when I was little...
Sen: Aw, it's nice to see you really meant it.
Sen: BUT AS FOR YOU, STABDAD. YOU STOLE AN ARM FROM MY VILLAGE AND PUT IT ON A VAMPIRE D:<
Stabdad: Shouldn't you be more worried about getting that young man some treatment? ^_^
Iba: *is bleeding to death*
Sen: D:
Kimiguku: I will hold them off!
Sen: ...ok. But promise me you'll return soon.
And then even though humans are usually not allowed in demon villages, she leads them to the village she runs, and Chizuru feels a sense of nostalgia that makes her finally accept that she really is a demon.
KIMIGUKU'S BACK SHE DIDN'T DIE YAY
Iba survives, but his arm cannot be fixed.
Me: Oh no he's going to be like Sanan and think he's useless if he can't be a warrior D:
Iba: No offence to Sanan, but I am still a warrior.
Me: Yay!
Iba: But uh. How did Takeda get his arm back? Out of curiosity?
Ohhh Stabdad didn't just steal some random demon's arm, it's an ANCIENT SUPER-POWERFUL CURSED DEMON ARM. ONE OF A PAIR.
Iba: So I was going to just learn to shoot a gun but looks like I need MORE POWER. Chizuru, give me the vampire serum!
Chizuru: No!
Sen: It won't be enough! You need... THE OTHER ANCIENT SUPER-POWERFUL CURSED DEMON ARM.
Chizuru: WHAT THE FUCK
Me: I'M WITH YOU CHIZURU
OH MAN SO. THE CURSE IS TO NEVER AGAIN INTERACT WITH HUMAN HISTORY.
Which could slightly interfere with Iba's oath-sworn duty as a guard to the leader of Japan in the middle of a war. Maybe the love triangle isn't Chizuru choosing between Iba and Hijikata but Iba choosing between Hijikata and Chizuru.
Iba: The shogunate are going to lose. And I would rather give up my humanity than my love. You're not human, being human's over-rated.
Chizuru: ...ok
Chizuru's internal logic for agreeing involves some unfortunate ableist ideas despite Iba himself avoiding them :/
She regains a childhood memory: She was trying to stop some other kids being hurt during dangerous play, and got injured herself.
Children: Oh no, you're bleeding really badly!
Chizuru: It's fine it'll heal, see!
Children: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU
Chizuru: Someone who heals a little faster than average?
Children: A MONSTER! HEY EVERYONE THROW ROCKS AT THE MONSTER!!
Chizuru: *having rocks thrown at her* I guess this is my fault :(
Iba: No, you are an ordinary girl. You should probably keep this to yourself for your own safety, though. AND I WILL LEARN SWORD FIGHTING AND PROTECT YOU.
That's a more boring backstory than I was hoping for but since the current story involves CURSED DEMON ARMS I'll live with it.
Takeda and Stabdad attack and kill some innocent villagers :( Iba is thrown aside, and Chizuru reaches for her sword, much to Takeda and Stabdad's bafflement.
But somehow Iba managed to do...surgery on himself...on the ground...and has a CURSED DEMON HAND.
(The describe them as arms but it barely goes past his wrist)
He defeats Takeda handily (sorry) and the villains run away.
Sen: Thank you. I'm sorry things had to happen this way. But remember: never use your powers on humans. And you are not one of us Demons.
Iba: Understood. I'll be using this arm for a little while, but when the time comes I will return it.
Chizuru and Iba meet up with the Shinsengumi at the Shogun's castle. Iba has wrapped his DEMON HAND in bandages and asks Chizuru not to tell anyone he's a vampire.
Hijikata is very happy to see Chizuru alive. He says Yamazaki is injured and asks her to see him, I thought to try and heal him but I think it might be to say goodbye :(
Motoyama is happy to see Iba too but as yet the game has failed to make me care about him very much. He's nice enough?
Iba is quietly devastated to find out the Shogun has run away to Edo, but Hijikata cheers him up. Afterwards, Iba tells Chizuru he will stay loyal, because that is the duty of a vassal. He also says sunlight doesn't hurt but she's not sure she believes him.
Chizuru is going to travel separately with the Shinsengumi, and Iba says some very romantic things about how much his heart aches when they're apart. She reminds him that they will be together in Edo soon.
END OF KYOTO WINDS
The Steam achievement for finishing the Iba route is "Oh Brother", I guess whoever wrote them speaks enough Japanese to recognise "Onii-san" too.
Also: I inadvertently saw what looked like a CG of Iba pushing Chizuru against a wall with her arms pinned and am VERY CURIOUS to know the context.
Shimada says some very nice things to Chizuru about how much she's helped him since Yamazaki died that make me worry for the first time in a while that he may not be long for this world. (He's the minor character I was convinced would die on my first playthrough and then turned out to be about the only Shinsengumi who doesn't die ever)
Iba comes to visit and she suggests they go check out her old childhood home for vampire clues. He seems distant, claiming nostalgia, but she eventually gets him to open up: his colleagues and superiors in the shogunate are stymying Hijikata's attempts to organise military resistance to the Imperialists, and it makes Iba feel ashamed.
HA. So my options are "I see..." and "Hijikata will figure something out". Guess which gets points :D
She cheers him up, but he's still a little pensive. "I've been struggling with something else," he says, drawing circles in the dust with his DEMON HAND. "Something you may not be ready for."
And then...
IT WASN'T A CG OF THEM AGAINST A WALL. IT WAS A CG OF HIM PUSHING HER TO THE FLOOR.
He pins her down with his body and DEMON HAND, and stares at her with eyes that seem more ravenous than passionate. Chizuru is at the point of WAIT IS HE GOING TO KISS ME when he pushes himself off her.
IS IT
A HORNY EVIL DEMON HAND???
OH MY GOD THIS GAME
Iba: Sorry!!
Chizuru: uhhhhhh???????
Iba: LETS GET YOU HOME
Chizuru: Ok??????????
But then he gets bloodlust. He is legitimately angry that Chizuru wants him to drink her blood. But she ignores him and cuts her neck and he makes her promise to at least not watch.
Iba: You mustn't watch me d-defile your precious body with my g-ghoulish needs...
*claps with glee because I am a terrible person*
Back at headquarters Chizuru tries not to think sexy thoughts about being pinned to the floor. She gets to "Does Iba have feelings for-" and then stops herself because thinking about it could only hurt her. I get why she didn't jump to POSSESSED BY EVIL DEMON HAND but come on, Chizuru.
The Shinsengumi are off to the Depressing battle...but Chizuru is staying in Edo!
"It wasn't safe on the streets for a young woman with the Shinsengumi vampire corps wandering around". UH. MAYBE THAT IS A THING THEY SHOULD BE DEALING WITH BEYOND JUST MAKING SURE THIS ONE WOMAN IS SAFE???
Anyway, this means she is STAYING AT IBA'S FAMILY MANSION.
When Hijikata finds out she hasn't seen it before he smiles and implies she has an "Elizabeth Bennet visits Pemberley" moment in her future. And she does!
Hijikata: Take care of Yukimura, she's a troublemaker ;)
Iba seems down after Hijikata's departure, partly because the Shinsengumi are being left out to dry by the shogunate, and partly because he is forbidden from taking part in battle regardless. Chizuru tries to cheer him up by offering to cook dinner.
Iba: But you're a GUEST!
Motoyama: Why not enjoy all the pleasures of a honeymoon with noone to get in the way ;)
Iba: I AM UNFIT TO SERVE AS HER HUSBAND
Chizuru: NO! I AM UNFIT TO BE HIS WIFE!
Motoyama: You two are ADORABLE. Have fun :D
Iba: THAT MOTOYAMA WHAT A JOKER
Chizuru: HA. YES. *quietly wishes for death*
The next morning Iba is clearly deep in "OH MY GOD CHIZURU SLEPT IN MY HOUSE??"
She finally gets him to admit that he finds being in sunlight painful, and offers to greet guests etc so he doesn't have to.
Later, they get a letter about the Shinsengumi's defeat at the depressing battle. Iba storms out, and Chizuru follows him to the Shinsengumi's empty Edo headquarters, where he shouts angrily at the absent shogunate and starts slashing with his sword at the air "like he's possessed". He explains that he knew all along that the shogunate had no expectation of the Shinsengumi winning The Depressing Battle, it was just a ploy to get them out of Edo so it would be easier to surrender the city to the Imperialists. He hates himself and his position.
Chizuru wonders if he could have changed things if it wasn't for the curse. (Answer: no, but she doesn't know that)
At last the shogunate agrees to send Iba's unit to the front lines...but he can't go because of the curse.
Chizuru tries to persuade him but he refuses to break his vow.
Chizuru: Well I'm going. Would you be willing to be my bodyguard? You wouldn't be affecting human history that way. That and if my father is creating an army of vampires the front lines would be a likely place to encounter it.
Iba: Is this your way of getting me to the front lines?
Chizuru: I don't know what you're talking about, I'm going to the front lines. You're my sidekick.
Iba: You're always full of surprises. Thank you :)
On the ship, Iba's DEMON LEFT HAND starts to spasm. Chizuru reaches towards him thinking he's in pain and the hand grabs her hand tight enough to hurt before swatting her hand away. Once again, this is immediately followed by a bout of bloodlust.
Iba seems to basically be in charge of his unit and helps them negotiate new allies which seems like affecting history to me?
...and then they get news that these "allies" have turned against them. I have a sense of dread about curses and consequences D: (I mean it could just be the fact that everyone in this story is doomed ANYWAY but that's not a lot better)
Iba's men are surrounded, and he is forced to watch as they are horrifically murdered by their Imperial "allies". He asks Chizuru for permission to break his vow, and she gives it, neither of them sure what the consequences will be.
NNnnnnnngggggg D: D:
OK I WAS AVOIDING SPOILERS BY NOT READING THE WALKTHROUGH AHEAD OF TIME BUT I AM TOO TENSE.
...the next decision is "Distrust Takeda"???? NO SHIT
...and then "I don’t care if you hurt me"...
Well! That all bodes great.
SO.
Iba defends his men by killing a human Imperial soldier with superhuman skill. The Imperials shout that he's a monster and shoot...only for him to cut through the bullets.
Iba: I feel a great strength within me...but is it making me stronger or taking me over?
Demon hand: OMINOUS PURPLE GLOW
But then they hear distant cries of "WHY WON'T YOU DIE??". Suddenly, a huge group of vampires in Imperial uniforms attack the Imperial soldiers and start to eat the bodies.
Takeda: The hunger is understandable but could you stand to show a little class? Oh hello, Iba and Chizuru. I have waited a long time to see your pretty face.
Have I mentioned Takeda keeps going on about how pretty Iba is? I'm like 60% sure he's talking to him.
NOPE. HE IS BLATANTLY CHECKING OUT CHIZURU WITH HUNGRY EYES.
Chizuru: ...did he look at me that way before?
IT'S THE OTHER HORNY ANCIENT CURSED DEMON HAND ISN'T IT
Takeda is somehow MUCH better at fighting than Iba now.
Takeda: You must have been so proud of yourself for fusing to a demon hand. But demons are like gods, and every god requires a blessing!
Iba: ...human blood??
Takeda: A dozen have proven to be a worthy sacrifice!
*my brief affection for Takeda flickers out entirely even though he has a very nice cravat*
Aw but then he rants about hating Iba for coming from privilege when Takeda came from a no name family and had to claw his way to the top.
Me: Maybe he's not COMPLETELY...
He horribly wounds Iba, and before she can defend him Chizuru is captured.
Takeda: Be gentle with her, my vampire minions, for soon she will bear my children :D
OK THEN
APPARENTLY EVER SINCE HE GOT THE HAND HE'S BEEN HAVING VIVID SEX DREAMS ABOUT HER
Did...Stabdad and Sen know this would happen??? oh god
"When I told Stabdad about the dreams he said the arm seeks a mate of it's own ilk. It craves your flesh and now so do I" oh my GOD?????
Oh
my
god????????
I THOUGHT I WAS PREPARED FOR THIS PATH TO GET WEIRD
I WAS WRONG
The Takeda voice actor is using exactly the same distantly smug tone he uses for taunting Iba and I am glad because I think if he went for sexy this would tilt over into squicky for me. But as it is this is enjoyably batshit fucked up.
Iba: DON'T TOUCH HER
*is shot and doesn't heal*
Takeda: I know you have the dreams too. Why don't you tell her what lurks beneath your nauseating, sycophantic veneer? I bet she'd get a kick out of it.
*slashes Iba's chest with wounds that also don't heal*
Takeda: Agree to be my bride and do everything I want, and I will show mercy.
Choice: "Trust Takeda" vs "Don't Trust Takeda"
WELL. THIS ISN'T THE CONTEXT I WAS IMAGINING
BUT MY ANSWER REMAINS THE SAME.
Takeda: So you prefer this shit under my feet? Don't delude yourself sweetie, all men are the same. Luckily I like a girl with spirit ;)
STAB HIM
SOMEBODY. ANYBODY. PLEASE.
Somebody shoots him! Close enough!
Chizuru takes the opportunity to grab Iba and JUMP OFF THE CLIFF BEHIND THEM
Iba: Leave...me...
Chizuru: Iba, you've saved me my whole life, now it's my turn to save you.
And she puts his arm over her shoulder, and walks them to safety.
There is a rustling in the bushes and Chizuru tells Iba to stay down as she draws her sword. But it's Motoyama! He's the one who shot Takeda! BEST WINGMAN
He leads them back to the unit's boat. Iba is weak with blood loss and deeply depressed.
Iba's wounds refuse to heal, and he only manages to get out of bed at all after a month.
Chizuru: I'll cook us something to celebrate! Is there anything you're craving?
Iba: ...Chizuru...
Chizuru: Yes?
Iba: Um. No. Anything is good.
Motoyama tells them that the surviving members of their unit have joined the remaining shogunate forces up north. Any Shogunate supporters caught in Edo are arrested and interrogated, he is the first person to point out that this is exactly what the Shisnengumi used to do to Imperialists in Kyoto.
Also, there are reports from Edo of gruesome murders...
OH MY GOODNESS
SO
Iba coldly asks Chizuru how long she plans to stay with him. She wants to say "forever" but his tone puts her off so she says "until you heal".
Iba: I am sorry to bring up this bitter memory but do you remember what Takeda said? About...cravings?
Chizuru: ...yes?
Iba: Forgive me if this disturbs you. But I have...started to have the dreams too. I am drawn to you against my will. The desire is ...insatiable.
Chizuru: ...
Iba: I am consumed with guilt and longing in equal measure D: You must leave me!
Oh god was he NOT into her sexually before? Did he genuinely just think of her as a little sister? I DIDN'T THINK THIS COULD GET MORE FUCKED UP.
I am assuming that no, he had regular human level repressed attraction to her before and it's just that it's gotten ANCIENT EVIL SUPERPOWER LEVEL LUSTFUL. Because otherwise that really is too fucked up. But that it's even on the table at all...
Chizuru: You can't survive on your own!
Iba: Can't you see that I would rather bleed to death than taint you with this accursed body??
Chizuru: I don't care. I could never live with myself if I left you behind. My well being is my last priority.
Iba: o.O
Chizuru: *steps closer* Now, will you let me change your bandages?
AND THEN. IT REALLY GOES THE FULL DUBCON.
So she does his bandages and then tells him he can put back on his clothes (he's not naked but his shirt is loose). But instead he pins her to the bed, saying that she said she wouldn't mind if he had his way with her...so he will. He stares into her eyes and it's not Iba looking at her any more.
She decides it's probably better not to struggle and he is baffled and self hating and unable to control himself and I'm really not sure if he just kisses her neck a bit or...more.
He gets off her and tells her to leave.
And then. She angsts. BECAUSE HE THINKS SHE'S A BURDEN.
CHIZURU. THAT IS NOT WHY HE TOLD YOU TO LEAVE.
CHIZURU. PLEASE.
Anyway she's wandering around the market feeling unloved because she is a DUMBASS when she hears Takeda's voice D:
LOOK I LIKE DUBCON SOMETIMES GAME BUT I NEED A BREAK IT'S BEEN KIND OF INTENSE
Luckily he hasn't noticed her: he's pulling exactly the same "do what I want or I'll arrest you for treason" trick he did back with the Shinsengumi, except this time he's an Imperialist accusing people of being a shogunate supporter.
Chizuru runs away and nearly gets arrested by another random Imperial soldier...until she is rescued by Sen!
Sen: Would you mind not manhandling one of my shopgirls? I run a very popular shop. I'd hate for there to be...civil unrest...
Imperial Soldier: FINE. But tell her to be less conspicuous next time.
Sen: I'm so glad I finally tracked you down, Chizuru! How's Iba, well I assume?
Chizuru: Um.
So this should be a FUN CONVERSATION about unexpected side effects of ANCIENT EVIL DEMON HANDS.
Iba, prostrating himself: I must apologise. I broke my vow :(
Sen: I know. Please be more cautious in future.
Iba: And please, take Chizuru away with you. I am a danger to her.
Sen: What? Explain in detail.
And then there is a fade to black explanation. Good choice, game.
Sen had no idea. She says it's probably no coincidence Takeda and Kazama are both obsessed with Chizuru, but is appalled by their disrespect towards women. She also thinks the problem is that Demon wills are stronger than human, and that she has no way to know if cutting the hand off would free Iba of the compulsion.
Chizuru: Aren't you also in danger as a female demon?
Sen: If this were normal I'd have trouble running a village!
*trans headcanon for Sen intensifies*
Sen *giving Iba a significant look*: These desires must take root in feelings that already exist.
ME: TAKEDA WAS IN LOVE WITH CHIZURU WHEN HE THOUGHT SHE WAS A GUY?
Sen: And Takeda's feelings are bound up with Iba's through sharing arms from the same demon.
Me: OH. OH NO D:
Iba: She needs to be taken as far away from me as possible D:
Sen: Takeda easily overcame the shield around my village, and can beat Kimiguku and I in battle. The Shinsengumi are only human, and are on the brink of destruction as it is. Who else can protect her?
Iba: D:
Sen: What do you want, Chizuru?
(Shield? Can Sen do magic?)
OH. CHIZURU THINKS SHE'S A BURDEN TO IBA'S SANITY.
Yeah, that's fair. She kinda is.
Sen: Well, we will leave you two alone to talk.
Iba: DID YOU LISTEN TO ANYTHING I JUST SAID
Sen: I guess I do have one final question: Why do you and the Shinsengumi still defend the shogunate, when all hope is lost?
Iba gives a heartfelt speech about loyalty in the face of adversity and the nature of being a true warrior.
Sen: So what you're telling me is that victory matters less than dedication to seeing a defeat to it's end?
Iba: Precisely
Sen: Has it occurred to you that Chizuru feels the same way?
Iba: What?
Sen: In life and war, what matters is not victory, but preserving what we consider precious. How obtuse do you have to be to not understand that women are capable of bearing the same burdens? She has dedicated her life to you, and will see it through to the end.
Iba: o.O
Sen: And now, we will leave you two alone to talk.
I...am not sure how I feel about this?
Iba: Why would you dedicate yourself to me? Is it guilt? Pity?
Chizuru: No. I love you. I can't bear to be without you, no matter how much it might hurt.
Iba: I can't explain how much that means to me. But I am unworthy of your love.
He says the reason he vanished from her life for so long is that he wanted to wait until he was worthy of her, so that she didn't commit to him when he was unworthy and have him become a burden.
...ok that is ridiculous (WHO DEDICATES THEIR LIFE TO WOOING A 5 YEAR OLD WHEN THEY ARE EIGHT) but these crazy self sacrificing kids deserve each other.
But now this cursed hand whispers in his ear, things unlike the pure feelings he had as a boy, drawn not to her but her lineage. He worries it will conquer his true feelings for her.
Me: There is some weird subtext about sex here, even for a vampire dating sim.
AND NOW. IT'S TIME FOR CHOOSING "I DON'T CARE IF YOU HURT ME"
(the other option being "You can't hurt me" lol. WE KNOW THAT'S NOT TRUE)
Chizuru: Nothing you can throw at me would hurt as much as leaving you would. And I love you whether or not you can protect me. I fell in love with you all those years ago because of your kind eyes and your laugh. And the man I love would never give in to the temptations of a demon.
They express their happy feelings some more, and hug. Chizuru has a brief traumatic flashback to the last time they touched so closely, but all she can see in Iba's eyes now is kindness and love. They share a gentle, affectionate kiss.
THE DEMON HAND GLOWS.....PINK???
Iba: The voice...is gone? Perhaps the tempest in my heart has calmed now that I have accepted my feelings for you?
WAS THE REAL VILLAIN SEXUAL REPRESSION ALL ALONG
They ask Sen and she says Iba's new found emotional resolve has earned the respect of the demon inside him, especially since male demons want to protect female ones (FOR A CERTAIN DEFINITION OF PROTECT I GUESS) and Iba wants to protect Chizuru. Ehhhhh, sure, whatever. Anyway, he can control the hand now.
Chizuru and Iba decide to catch up with the remains of the Shinsengumi and Shogunate forces on Doomed Democracy Island. See, I totally predicted how this path would go!
*laughs weakly*
Sen and Kimiguku wish them well but warn them to be prepared to see horrifying things.
Heh, Chizuru gets another "long pan up her cute western outfit:" shot and Iba and Motoyama quietly think she's hot. I GUESS THIS IS THE PATH FOR THAT.
All the remaining Shinsengumi are really glad to see them but goes quiet when Chizuru asks after all the people who have died or left. And it really is a doomed democracy island.
They don't gloss over the scene where Iba explains to Hijikata about Takeda and it's A LITTLE WEIRD.
Iba: I have to protect Chizuru because none of you are strong enough.
Hijikata: HEY!
Iba: And I care about her more than anything ;_;
Chizuru: <3 ;_;
Hijikata: Ha ok, and I don't even need to ask how she feels about it. I had a feeling something like this would happen if I left you two together! Yeah, fine, protect her to your heart's content. You love her, right?
Iba: Thank you ;_; But my demon arm means I am not allowed to fight with you :(
Hijikata: Good, means I can't order you to your death :)
There's a welcoming party and Iba offers her a sip from his cup of whiskey. She's not a huge fan of the drink but blushes when she realises they drank from the same glass.
Iba asks her to chat in his room and Chizuru has another trauma flashback and I feel triggered which is super fun.
Chizuru: Just to talk?
Iba: Of course. As long as my sanity holds :)
Chizuru: Uh. So you're not controlled by the demon?
Iba: No. But I want to have sex with you ^_^ I am also quite drunk ^_^
Ok I am glad they make it clear that it's possible for his Good Pure Human Love to be sexual.
...and then I CHOOSE whether they have sex??? I am going to pick no just to see what happens, because I want it to feel genuinely like a choice if I say yes.
Aw, he is very sweet about it. And then the game moves forward to them lying in bed together because it assumes you said yes, lol, but that's ok. What matters is it's not a bad end or anything, you miss the points gain but I'm pretty sure that wouldn't interfere with getting a good ending by itself. *goes back to actually pick yes*
(Yes, I realise CHIZURU is kind of iffy consent wise here, if he's that drunk, but ehhh we are well past the point of getting too caught up in real life sexual ethics)
AW. HE REALISES SHE'S NERVOUS SO THEY JUST SNUGGLE IN BED. And now I'm back at the same point.
Instead of a sex scene, I get a montage of all her dead friends and how much she misses them! Thanks, game ;_;
She bursts into tears, and Iba comforts her. The text describes him wiping her eyes with his long slender fingers which would be romantic if the CG wasn't showing his long slender EVIL DEMON fingers wrapped in bandages. I guess they're absorbent? (Ok fine it's still pretty romantic)
They kiss and she "feels like a little girl again" and they fall asleep. Game, every time I'm on the verge of not being weirded out...
Later he drinks her blood and instead of being self hating they're both pretty comfortable being into it in a moderately non-sexual but kinky way.
And now Doomed Democracy Island reaches it's doom :(
Iba helps Chizuru with her medical duties since he can't fight. She asks him if he wishes he could be fighting with the others, and he says he would be lying if he said otherwise, but he has chosen his path and has no regrets.
Souma comes in to tell them that Hijikata and Motoyama have died :( Chizuru tells him not to die, and he says he can't, because Hijikata passed the torch of the Shinsengumi to him.
Chizuru and Iba numb their pain with work.
As the Imperial army rains fire and death upon the city, they hear tales of Imperial soldiers who cannot be killed and feast on the bodies of the dead. Time to confront Takeda.
Imperial soldier: Hey, stop! *shoots*
Iba: *cuts bullets in half* You are rather low on our list of priorities right now. You seem an intelligent man, hopefully you can see the advantage of not getting in our way.
Imperial soldier: ...yes, yes I can.
They find Takeda chewing on an arm in the middle of a pile of dismembered corpses. He speaks in a slurred voice, like a drunk.
I think the thing with Takeda is that asides from being selfish and unprincipled, he's naturally kind of pathetic and useless. But he happened to stumble into power in this one path versus all the others where he was an irrelevant irritation. He contrasts with Iba, who has principles and is unselfish, and has a natural nobility that means he always tries to use his power for good. The fact that Iba is also literal nobility while Takeda is from a less privileged background is...not so great in this context.
Iba: Where is Stabdad?
Takeda: Funny story. He was gathering bodies for me when Saito killed him ^_^
Saito <3
They fight, and Iba is now much better. He says he has forsaken his family name and political status, but has been chosen as the rightful bearer of the DEMON HAND.
Takeda grabs Chizuru, laughing that Iba is too weak to stab her to get to him.
Chizuru: It's ok! Stab me! I trust you!
Iba: ...close your eyes.
Chizuru cries happy tears to have been of use while she feels Iba's "strength" pass through her.
Chizuru /o\
The final scene opens with Iba telling Chizuru, who is resting on his lap, that the blue skies above them make him think of the blue uniforms of the Shinsengumi. She slowly opens her eyes and gives him a sleepy smile and he looks at her in shock: he's been waiting for her to wake up from her injuries for a long time.
He tells her that his blood cravings have stopped, and he'll have to apologise to Sen because the demon arm is being absorbed into his body. The war is over and he will dedicate his life from now on to making Chizuru happy. They cheerfully express their mutual affection.
THE END
I took some screenshots while playing but am feeling too weird to upload them, so Here's someone who has all the CGs in order, be warned some of them involve triggery content as described in my summary.
I think my problem with this path, like the Sanan path, is it deliberately sets off a bunch of red flags for Fun Tropey Romance Times but Chizuru is all NO HE IS GOOD AND I TRUST HIM EVEN IF HE IS A SERIAL KILLER AND/OR HAS AN EVIL HORNY DEMON HAND. And then everything's fine because she just kept putting up with everything! It hits some BAD ABUSE SURVIVOR BUTTONS FOR ME.
I mean intellectually it's no worse than stuff I do enjoy. I would have been fine with pretty much all the other consent issues in this path if...hmmm. (a) Chizuru had shown more/any interest in protecting herself from demon-Iba (which she could do while staying with him!) (b) Either pre-demon-hand Iba had less yandere flags or the game acknowledged more explicitly that the darkness within him didn't JUST come from the demon (c) Chizuru didn't end up with sexual trauma. Like, I get that they wanted to make it very clear that Iba Wasn't Like That Now but it felt like a betrayal of the implicit promise of the sort of "would be traumatising in real life but the protag is fine with it" dubcon the game has previously happily wallowed in.
Iba himself, for all his red flags, was not a bad dude overall, I just didn't like how the narrative treated him.
I did like the contrast between toxic masculinity and a lack of consent versus emotional honesty, vulnerability, and consent (except for the weird classist undertones and Iba being iffy on consent in his own ways) I think if it had pushed "don't put girls on a pedestal of innocent sexless girlishness and repress your adult feelings" a little more I'd feel better?
And now, I have only one full path left: Nagakura Shinpachi, whose path is apparently very cute but will probably be a bit more depressing for historically connected reasons, especially The Depressing Battle where he loses his faith in the Shinsengumi. Fun!
A good 2 hours after saying I was going to take a break, time for princely childhood friend Iba Hachiro!
And...it was so INTENSELY BATSHIT CRAZY AND FUCKED UP I can't even decide how I felt about it??? It was certainly an experience. I liked it right until it triggered me, which makes it hard to judge. Speaking of which...
Content note: Weird Sex Stuff and Consent Issues, even by the standards of this game.
** Spoilers**
So I know the start and end of Iba's story: He's well born. He befriended Chizuru as a child in Edo. He later independently met and befriended Hijikata before getting a job high up in the Shogunate. Early on in the game he shows up and says hi to them both. He goes off and does SOMETHING for four years. At some point during the war he injures his hand, then he joins Hijikata right at the end of the war at Doomed Democracy Island.
So now I get to see that SOMETHING.
We first encounter Iba when he passive aggressively stands up to douchebag Shinsengumi Takeda when he's attempting to extort money from local businesses by accusing anyone who doesn't do what he wants of being an Imperialist.
Editing note: Takeda ends up being important on this path, but has never done anything interesting on the others. He's just been this background annoyance, sucking up to those in power but too incompetent to even be recruited by the bad guys.
HA I forgot that Chizuru's very first reaction to Iba is to be distracted from what he's saying by how hot he is. "Almost as gorgeous as Hijikata" lol.
Translation, you may say he says "leave it to me" but I know he said "Leave it to big brother".
Iba shows up the second time to visit Hijikata. They call each other by their first names (I'm a little sad Chizuru never uses Hijikata's cute nickname "Toshi") and when Iba compliments Hijikata on his success he is at first defensive then blushes. Hijikata looks at Iba more warmly than he pretty much does at anyone ever, and Iba looks at Hijikata with stars in his eyes.
I am wondering exactly how much this path is going to make me ship them. But hey, I like Chizuru/Hijikata and I like poly!
Anyway! Iba is a bodyguard to the Shogun (about as prestigious a job as any samurai can have) and the son of the head of a major Edo dojo. That dojo socialised with the one that became the Shinsengumi, and Iba befriended everyone.
I do NOT find it as endearing when guys "just know" Chizuru is a girl as the game thinks I will, but since he turns out to have known Chizuru when they were kids I guess it's ok. *mutters*
He's plausibly the gentle sweetie pie he seems but he kind of reminds me of the older-brother-esque childhood friend from Amnesia who went from perfectly nice on everyone else's route to FULL YANDERE on his route and locked the protagonist in a cage "for her own safety". I GUESS WE'LL SEE.
New scene: Chizuru is annoyed everyone keeps recognising her gender, and stands in front of the mirror practicing "talking like a guy", the nature of which the translation does not get across very well.
Iba: I think you're trying too hard, talking with bravado doesn't suit you.
Chizuru: AHHH HOW LONG WERE YOU THERE
I would find this annoying from most male characters but Iba is the king of gentle passivity, so he clearly doesn't see it as a gendered trait. Anyway, he's been looking into Stabdad in Edo with no success. It occurs to me that he already knows Stabdad, which will be interesting. Chizuru is sad and he says he's heard rumours about Stabdad in Kyoto, and gets permission to take her out with him to investigate.
...but when she presses him for details he has to admit he lied to cheer her up.
*puts a mark in the Red Flags box*
He says they met when Chizuru was five which she thinks of as "around the time she moved the Edo". It seems implausible that he met her BEFORE that, and is another Yukimura demon, but you never know! He's definitely very sad that she doesn't remember, and I am very curious to know if there's something unexpected going on.
OH HEY. So the thing where Kazama and the other demons show up to kidnap Chizuru and reveal she's a Demon Princess is an event involving the shogun...which means Iba is there to defend her! "She is an ordinary girl and always has been" ha yeah not so much dude.
Nice demon Amagiri says he should fight Iba because Kazama and Shiranui are no good at not killing people, aw. He's impressed with Iba's skill, but grabs his sword with his bare hands and says "I notice you only aim at my arms and legs. I take it you've never taken a life before."
Shiranui tells Amagiri to stop playing around and takes out his gun, so Chizuru instinctively jumps in the way and takes a bullet THROUGH HER HANDS.
Iba: Chizuru!
Chizuru: I'm...fine... (Wow being shot through the hands sucks)
All three demons set their sights on Iba, and all looks lost but then HIJIKATA APPEARS.
Oooh, ok so by the time Iba gets to actually look at Chizuru's hands they have healed. My options are "Show him my hands" and "Hide my hands" and the walkthrough says hide them??? Does he already know, and will be happier if he thinks Chizuru is hiding her secret well?
I pick "Show him my hands" anyway because it really does feel right, and he seems briefly surprised then reassures her she is an ordinary girl. "Hide them" has him ask if there's some reason she needs to hide them and then persuade her to show them, continuing on the same way.
Chizuru has a bout of I AM A MONSTER self hatred which hopefully doesn't presage a repeat of the Harada path.
He begins to describe their childhood, holding hands to get sweets and trying to read Stabdad's books. She finally remembers him as an older boy who was quiet and liked to read. And then she remembers that it wasn't her father to whom she promised to never reveal her superhealing...it was Iba. Or, as she now remembers him, Hachiro.
(We do NOT get a cute CG of them as children even though I bet it would have been adorable, GAME)
Oh HO. Iba already knows about the vampires, since the Shogunate had the serum first. I am curious to see what Iba's arc is as the shogunate and Shinsengumi's interests diverge.
Iba speaks with restrained horror of the first vampire experiments, where many men died, both test subjects and those failing to control the monsters created. BUT he didn't know the serum came from Stabdad and is shocked.
He asks if they "plan" to continue with the experiments and Hijikata grumpily points out that while the Shogunate orders them to continue it's not their choice to make. Iba gets all Serious Voice (about half an octave lower than his usual soft high tenor) and asks what their contingency plans are, clearly worried about Chizuru's safety in particular. He offers to talk to the shogunate.
Hijikata says the vampires are too useful, and what would happen to the ones they already have? Chizuru notices how handsome his face is even though this is an Iba path scene, I hope there's not more annoying love triangle/jealousy drama with Iba like there was on the Souma path.
I don't really understand why they can't stop the experimented without killing the existing vampires but that's the logic they're going with, and since Iba is already friends with Sanan and Heisuke he is sympathetic.
OOOH WAS TAKEDA EAVESDROPPING
Chizuru calls out Iba's name for help when Takeda tries grilling her for information, Iba is SUPER INTO her having done that and calls himself her big brother again (I'm not sure if I'm glad I can recognise the word or not lol. I know Japanese people refer to each other as metaphorical relatives a lot but this still feels a little like being on the Kaoru route)
Iba faces the screen helping someone train and for JUST A MOMENT I thought it would be Chizuru but no he's helping Saito's training session (I didn't realise until watching the prequel anime that Saito runs daily training sessions for weaker swordsmen!)
Okita challenges Iba to a match and when he wins says Iba's sword has become pale and lifeless. ...I can't believe this is the first time it's occurred to me to think of swordfighting as a sex metaphor. In my defence the blood-drinking was very distracting.
Takeda is next, saying he "wants to see Iba's kotengu for himself". I BET YOU DO. (A kotengu turns out to be a sort of bird spirit, "Iba's kotengu" is Iba's nickname at the Iba family dojo) Iba is gaining the upper hand when Saito calls a stop: Takeda is clearly trying to kill Iba.
Takdea: We're training for battle, and people in battle try to kill you, so actually I was helping Iba.
Weirdly enough this does not convince anyone.
Iba muses to Chizuru that Okita has surpassed him as a swordsman because he's had to fight tooth and nail to survive while Iba has lived safely and never had to fight for his life. I wonder how old Iba was when he met Kondou, Hijikata and Okita? Were he and Okita still children? I think Iba's around Okita's age eg 21.
Iba: Your life here is very dangerous. Would you like me to ask Hijikata if you can stay with me?
Me: POSSIBLY IN A CAGE???
Chizuru: For now I want to stay here and search for my father
Iba: ;_;
Chizuru: But I'm glad to know I can call on you if I need help
Iba: :D :D
HEY IT'S THE FINAL MYSTERIOUS BISHIE FROM THE OPENING CREDITS: Motoyama, who turns out to be one of Iba's coworkers.
Motoyama, to Chizuru: I wouldn't have expected someone like you to be a Shinsengumi.
Iba: Don't underestimate Yukimura because they look like a child, they're Hijikata's page.
Motoyama: THE DEMON COMMANDER HIJIKATA?? LETS LEAVE BEFORE WE GET KILLED.
OH HEY the trouble-making group Kaoru is part of is mentioned as being from Tosa I just never noticed before because I am so bad at names >.>
Chizuru accidentally gets separated from the Shinsengumi she's out with and worries they'll think she's running away and kill her. I skip through the early part of the game so much it's easy to forget how precarious her position is to start with.
She bumps into Iba and he offers to take her back but she realises he's going the wrong way.
Iba: It's just the scenic route. Don't worry I'm not abducting you ^_^
Me: THAT'S WHAT THEY ALL SAY
Sen: OMG CHIZURU WHO'S THE HOTTIE ARE YOU ON A DATE
Chizuru: N-no!
Sen: I'd have remembered if any of the Shinsengumi were that...refined.
Sen stares at Iba intently as he explains who he is. She decides he's not currently a threat to Chizuru, and moves on to checking whether the men of the Shinsengumi are treating Chizuru well. Sen <3
Chizuru feels down about the current political situation.
Iba, putting his hands on her shoulders: I will always be here to protect you :)
Sen: Oh will you now >:/ Her fate is heavier than she knows, and the people after her more powerful than you can imagine.
Iba: What do you know? >:/
*Chizuru protection squad staring contest ensues*
Sen: Can you really protect her?
Iba: There is a reason for me to protect her, even if she doesn't remember it.
Chizuru: This is more than a childhood friends thing, isn't it?
Iba: I would give everything I am to protect you. But I won't tell you why, consider it payback for forgetting ^_^
Kondou: There you are! We thought you got abducted D:
Okita: Aw I was hoping to see you cry about being lost :3
Iba: That's unfortunate >:/
Motoyama: OMG IBA THERE YOU ARE DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU
Iba: A while? >.>
Motoyama: I can't believe you just ran off from work when you saw someone who looked like Yukimura!
Okita: Oh really :3
Iba: TIME TO GO BACK TO WORK *runs*
Okita: Hmm. I wonder if that was scripted. Iba's a sharp cat :3
Chizuru thinks sadly that Saito and Heisuke are off with Itou's imperialists, and SEEMS TO MISS HEISUKE MORE THAN SAITO HOW DARE
She bumps into Takeda, who is leaving The Shisnengumi, and is worried he'll cause trouble. But he's just feeling melancholy about leaving everything behind after joining with such big dreams. She realises she'll miss him a tiny bit too.
But then she sees him sneaking into Sanan's vampire lab (which I haven't seen before!) to steal stuff. She chases after him into the city, but once they're alone he confronts her.
Takeda: You're too incompetent to be kept around without having some secret knowledge. What is this? *shows vampire serum* Some sort of "vampire" strength potion?
Chizuru: Um. Nothing?
Takeda: I bet I can make a packet selling it to the shogunate. Or the Imperialists! Whoever will pay more :D
Chizuru: *stab*
Takeda: WHAT THE FUCK YOU DON'T STAB PEOPLE *stabs back*
Chizuru: *heals*
Takeda: OH MY GOD YOU'RE A..A...VAMPIRE.
I think this is the closest Chizuru has come to a successful sword fight with a villain. Go Chizuru!
Takeda: I can use you to demonstrate the vampire serum to my customers :D
Iba: OH NO YOU DON'T
Takeda: Why are you protecting her? She's a monster! Here, I'll show you! *stabs Chizuru*
Me: Takeda I do not think stabbing the yandere's love interest will turn out well for you
Everything goes black and when Chizuru opens her eyes...Iba has CUT OFF TAKEDA'S ARM. He makes dark pronouncements about what happens to those who threaten Chizuru in a deep whisper.
Takeda: Well...I'll just take this vampire serum! *drops serum and all the papers he stole*
This game has made me care about all it's villains but this is the first time one has been endearingly incompetent.
OH MY GOD HE JUST TRIPPED OVER ON HIS OWN BLOOD
AND FELL INTO THE RIVER
Chizuru: I'll save you Takeda!
Iba: No we should let him die ^_^ But are you ok? Let me see your injury!
Chizuru: No! It's fine. Because I am a monster :(
Iba comforts her and pets her hair, but she realises his hands are shaking.
Iba: I've never lost control like that before. Is this how Hijikata and the others feel all the time?
Me: I'd say no but...Okita.
Hijikata and Iba discuss the current political situation including: Sakamoto! Who Hijikata really wishes he could stab but has to protect for political reasons.
And then they get a hot tip about people trying to assassinate him! OMG IS THIS A SAKAMOTO SCENE NOT ON HIS PATH??? DID I UNLOCK HIM OR SOMETHING??
Aw they're too late. Sakamoto and Nakaoka are dead. This name drop is still more than Nakoaka gets on any other path haha.
Iba sadly explains to Chizuru quite how dire things look politically for the Shogunate from his position, especially since he doubts how many vassals will stay loyal. Chizuru cheers him up by saying the Shinsengumi will stay by the Shogun no matter what, and he agrees and expresses his faith in Hijikata.
As predicted, war starts brewing. Kondou is shot, and Okita's tuberculosis has progressed, so Hijikata orders Chizuru to go with them to Osaka Castle (which I think is where the Shogun is?) to help with their medical care and keep safe. Iba is naturally a big fan of this plan but Chizuru is not.
The walkthrough says to follow orders but I want to see what happens if you don't.
Hijikata: You hide it well but you're a stubborn one. I guess I can't win with Edo women :)
Iba: Heh. Other than the women of your home town I didn't think I'd meet a woman who could break you :)
Game are you trying to make me ship all of them.
Meanwhile if Chizuru accepts the order, she gains Iba points but he asks if this is what she really wants.
Chizuru: No, I want to stay and care for the wounded. I can do more here.
Iba: She makes a strong argument. And if I take her with me she'll resent me :(
Hijikata: Got to you too, has she?
GAME
(I am conveniently forgetting that Hijikata met them both, at the latest, when he was in his late 20s and they were in their teens >.>)
Hijikata: Anyway, I don't think war will really happen. And if it does, we'll win!
me: Oh, Hijikata :(
Iba: Mmmm :(
Iba: Do you need help walking?
Okita: *cough* What do you think, you prick? *cough*
Iba: I'll take that as a yes.
Okita: *cough* I must be sick if I need a pussy who can't even swing a sword to help me *cough*
Me: WHY DO I FIND THIS ENDEARING NOW
It's time to go. Chizuru and Iba stand together in the gentle breeze at sunset. Iba closes his eyes and speaks to her in a soft voice.
Me: Aw, he's going to wish her an affectionate farewell.
Iba: If I had my way, I'd take you with me. Even if it was by force.
THAT'S A BIG TICK IN THE RED FLAG BOX BOYS
Chizuru: Aw, he's worried about me :(
He grabs her hand forcefully and makes her promise to look after her own survival no matter what.
TIME FOR THE BATTLE WHERE INOUE DIES
Inoue and Chizuru are sent to carry the vampire research documents to safety. As they're passing the area Chizuru knows Iba is fighting in, they hear footsteps.
Me: Iba?
Stabdad: NOPE :D
He gives this spiel about having been captured and worrying for Chizuru's safety and I'm 95% sure he's lying, 5% wondering if the game just decided to have him be nice this time.
BUT NOPE
As Chizuru is backing away, she bumps into someone unexpected. It's....
TAKEDA!!
AND HE HAS TWO ARMS!!
(Though one hand's in pointy bandages that look suspiciously like the ones I know Iba ends up getting)
Takeda: You left me for dead but this old man saved me!
Stabdad: Join me, Chizuru!!
Inoue, whispering: Chizuru is it just me or has your dad become a super-villain
Chizuru: ...yeah :(
So Inoue draws his sword and tells Chizuru to go ahead. She remembers her promise to Iba to survive no matter what, and I am given the choices "I understand" and "I will fight with you", the latter of which leads to a bad end. HMMM. I think I'll choose to run.
She eventually runs across Iba, who has been forced to retreat along with all the other shogunate troops.
Iba: Why are you alone? Is Hijikata ok?
Chizuru: Yes, I...
Stabdad: THERE YOU ARE CHIZURU
Iba: Dr Yukimura??? It's me, little Iba Hachiro!
Stabdad: Aw, look how you've grown up! Now hand over my daughter ^_^
Iba: Well that's a red flag if ever I heard one >:/
And then...Takeda appears!
Iba: I am SURE I cut off your arm
Chizuru: OH NO HE DRANK THE VAMPIRE SERUM
Stabdad: The vampire serum can't regrow limbs. But I've found a way to replace them: Not with human limbs, but with something stronger.
Me: ...a gorilla?
Takeda: BEHOLD MY DEMON'S ARM
Me: Ah. ...wait, don't demon's arms look like human ones?
But no, he rips off the bloody bandages to reveal long purple fingernails and mottled skin marked with strange designs. He is much more powerful than Iba now.
Takeda: Come to think of it, you sliced off my arm like THIS! *slices most of the way through Iba's left arm*
Iba: Ahhhhhhh D: D: D:
Takeda: HA TRY USING A SWORD NOW DOJO BITCH
Iba: I still have...my right arm...
Takeda: Seriously?
Iba: I made a vow to protect her...when I was little...
Sen: Aw, it's nice to see you really meant it.
Sen: BUT AS FOR YOU, STABDAD. YOU STOLE AN ARM FROM MY VILLAGE AND PUT IT ON A VAMPIRE D:<
Stabdad: Shouldn't you be more worried about getting that young man some treatment? ^_^
Iba: *is bleeding to death*
Sen: D:
Kimiguku: I will hold them off!
Sen: ...ok. But promise me you'll return soon.
And then even though humans are usually not allowed in demon villages, she leads them to the village she runs, and Chizuru feels a sense of nostalgia that makes her finally accept that she really is a demon.
KIMIGUKU'S BACK SHE DIDN'T DIE YAY
Iba survives, but his arm cannot be fixed.
Me: Oh no he's going to be like Sanan and think he's useless if he can't be a warrior D:
Iba: No offence to Sanan, but I am still a warrior.
Me: Yay!
Iba: But uh. How did Takeda get his arm back? Out of curiosity?
Ohhh Stabdad didn't just steal some random demon's arm, it's an ANCIENT SUPER-POWERFUL CURSED DEMON ARM. ONE OF A PAIR.
Iba: So I was going to just learn to shoot a gun but looks like I need MORE POWER. Chizuru, give me the vampire serum!
Chizuru: No!
Sen: It won't be enough! You need... THE OTHER ANCIENT SUPER-POWERFUL CURSED DEMON ARM.
Chizuru: WHAT THE FUCK
Me: I'M WITH YOU CHIZURU
OH MAN SO. THE CURSE IS TO NEVER AGAIN INTERACT WITH HUMAN HISTORY.
Which could slightly interfere with Iba's oath-sworn duty as a guard to the leader of Japan in the middle of a war. Maybe the love triangle isn't Chizuru choosing between Iba and Hijikata but Iba choosing between Hijikata and Chizuru.
Iba: The shogunate are going to lose. And I would rather give up my humanity than my love. You're not human, being human's over-rated.
Chizuru: ...ok
Chizuru's internal logic for agreeing involves some unfortunate ableist ideas despite Iba himself avoiding them :/
She regains a childhood memory: She was trying to stop some other kids being hurt during dangerous play, and got injured herself.
Children: Oh no, you're bleeding really badly!
Chizuru: It's fine it'll heal, see!
Children: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU
Chizuru: Someone who heals a little faster than average?
Children: A MONSTER! HEY EVERYONE THROW ROCKS AT THE MONSTER!!
Chizuru: *having rocks thrown at her* I guess this is my fault :(
Iba: No, you are an ordinary girl. You should probably keep this to yourself for your own safety, though. AND I WILL LEARN SWORD FIGHTING AND PROTECT YOU.
That's a more boring backstory than I was hoping for but since the current story involves CURSED DEMON ARMS I'll live with it.
Takeda and Stabdad attack and kill some innocent villagers :( Iba is thrown aside, and Chizuru reaches for her sword, much to Takeda and Stabdad's bafflement.
But somehow Iba managed to do...surgery on himself...on the ground...and has a CURSED DEMON HAND.
(The describe them as arms but it barely goes past his wrist)
He defeats Takeda handily (sorry) and the villains run away.
Sen: Thank you. I'm sorry things had to happen this way. But remember: never use your powers on humans. And you are not one of us Demons.
Iba: Understood. I'll be using this arm for a little while, but when the time comes I will return it.
Chizuru and Iba meet up with the Shinsengumi at the Shogun's castle. Iba has wrapped his DEMON HAND in bandages and asks Chizuru not to tell anyone he's a vampire.
Hijikata is very happy to see Chizuru alive. He says Yamazaki is injured and asks her to see him, I thought to try and heal him but I think it might be to say goodbye :(
Motoyama is happy to see Iba too but as yet the game has failed to make me care about him very much. He's nice enough?
Iba is quietly devastated to find out the Shogun has run away to Edo, but Hijikata cheers him up. Afterwards, Iba tells Chizuru he will stay loyal, because that is the duty of a vassal. He also says sunlight doesn't hurt but she's not sure she believes him.
Chizuru is going to travel separately with the Shinsengumi, and Iba says some very romantic things about how much his heart aches when they're apart. She reminds him that they will be together in Edo soon.
END OF KYOTO WINDS
The Steam achievement for finishing the Iba route is "Oh Brother", I guess whoever wrote them speaks enough Japanese to recognise "Onii-san" too.
Also: I inadvertently saw what looked like a CG of Iba pushing Chizuru against a wall with her arms pinned and am VERY CURIOUS to know the context.
Shimada says some very nice things to Chizuru about how much she's helped him since Yamazaki died that make me worry for the first time in a while that he may not be long for this world. (He's the minor character I was convinced would die on my first playthrough and then turned out to be about the only Shinsengumi who doesn't die ever)
Iba comes to visit and she suggests they go check out her old childhood home for vampire clues. He seems distant, claiming nostalgia, but she eventually gets him to open up: his colleagues and superiors in the shogunate are stymying Hijikata's attempts to organise military resistance to the Imperialists, and it makes Iba feel ashamed.
HA. So my options are "I see..." and "Hijikata will figure something out". Guess which gets points :D
She cheers him up, but he's still a little pensive. "I've been struggling with something else," he says, drawing circles in the dust with his DEMON HAND. "Something you may not be ready for."
And then...
IT WASN'T A CG OF THEM AGAINST A WALL. IT WAS A CG OF HIM PUSHING HER TO THE FLOOR.
He pins her down with his body and DEMON HAND, and stares at her with eyes that seem more ravenous than passionate. Chizuru is at the point of WAIT IS HE GOING TO KISS ME when he pushes himself off her.
IS IT
A HORNY EVIL DEMON HAND???
OH MY GOD THIS GAME
Iba: Sorry!!
Chizuru: uhhhhhh???????
Iba: LETS GET YOU HOME
Chizuru: Ok??????????
But then he gets bloodlust. He is legitimately angry that Chizuru wants him to drink her blood. But she ignores him and cuts her neck and he makes her promise to at least not watch.
Iba: You mustn't watch me d-defile your precious body with my g-ghoulish needs...
*claps with glee because I am a terrible person*
Back at headquarters Chizuru tries not to think sexy thoughts about being pinned to the floor. She gets to "Does Iba have feelings for-" and then stops herself because thinking about it could only hurt her. I get why she didn't jump to POSSESSED BY EVIL DEMON HAND but come on, Chizuru.
The Shinsengumi are off to the Depressing battle...but Chizuru is staying in Edo!
"It wasn't safe on the streets for a young woman with the Shinsengumi vampire corps wandering around". UH. MAYBE THAT IS A THING THEY SHOULD BE DEALING WITH BEYOND JUST MAKING SURE THIS ONE WOMAN IS SAFE???
Anyway, this means she is STAYING AT IBA'S FAMILY MANSION.
When Hijikata finds out she hasn't seen it before he smiles and implies she has an "Elizabeth Bennet visits Pemberley" moment in her future. And she does!
Hijikata: Take care of Yukimura, she's a troublemaker ;)
Iba seems down after Hijikata's departure, partly because the Shinsengumi are being left out to dry by the shogunate, and partly because he is forbidden from taking part in battle regardless. Chizuru tries to cheer him up by offering to cook dinner.
Iba: But you're a GUEST!
Motoyama: Why not enjoy all the pleasures of a honeymoon with noone to get in the way ;)
Iba: I AM UNFIT TO SERVE AS HER HUSBAND
Chizuru: NO! I AM UNFIT TO BE HIS WIFE!
Motoyama: You two are ADORABLE. Have fun :D
Iba: THAT MOTOYAMA WHAT A JOKER
Chizuru: HA. YES. *quietly wishes for death*
The next morning Iba is clearly deep in "OH MY GOD CHIZURU SLEPT IN MY HOUSE??"
She finally gets him to admit that he finds being in sunlight painful, and offers to greet guests etc so he doesn't have to.
Later, they get a letter about the Shinsengumi's defeat at the depressing battle. Iba storms out, and Chizuru follows him to the Shinsengumi's empty Edo headquarters, where he shouts angrily at the absent shogunate and starts slashing with his sword at the air "like he's possessed". He explains that he knew all along that the shogunate had no expectation of the Shinsengumi winning The Depressing Battle, it was just a ploy to get them out of Edo so it would be easier to surrender the city to the Imperialists. He hates himself and his position.
Chizuru wonders if he could have changed things if it wasn't for the curse. (Answer: no, but she doesn't know that)
At last the shogunate agrees to send Iba's unit to the front lines...but he can't go because of the curse.
Chizuru tries to persuade him but he refuses to break his vow.
Chizuru: Well I'm going. Would you be willing to be my bodyguard? You wouldn't be affecting human history that way. That and if my father is creating an army of vampires the front lines would be a likely place to encounter it.
Iba: Is this your way of getting me to the front lines?
Chizuru: I don't know what you're talking about, I'm going to the front lines. You're my sidekick.
Iba: You're always full of surprises. Thank you :)
On the ship, Iba's DEMON LEFT HAND starts to spasm. Chizuru reaches towards him thinking he's in pain and the hand grabs her hand tight enough to hurt before swatting her hand away. Once again, this is immediately followed by a bout of bloodlust.
Iba seems to basically be in charge of his unit and helps them negotiate new allies which seems like affecting history to me?
...and then they get news that these "allies" have turned against them. I have a sense of dread about curses and consequences D: (I mean it could just be the fact that everyone in this story is doomed ANYWAY but that's not a lot better)
Iba's men are surrounded, and he is forced to watch as they are horrifically murdered by their Imperial "allies". He asks Chizuru for permission to break his vow, and she gives it, neither of them sure what the consequences will be.
NNnnnnnngggggg D: D:
OK I WAS AVOIDING SPOILERS BY NOT READING THE WALKTHROUGH AHEAD OF TIME BUT I AM TOO TENSE.
...the next decision is "Distrust Takeda"???? NO SHIT
...and then "I don’t care if you hurt me"...
Well! That all bodes great.
SO.
Iba defends his men by killing a human Imperial soldier with superhuman skill. The Imperials shout that he's a monster and shoot...only for him to cut through the bullets.
Iba: I feel a great strength within me...but is it making me stronger or taking me over?
Demon hand: OMINOUS PURPLE GLOW
But then they hear distant cries of "WHY WON'T YOU DIE??". Suddenly, a huge group of vampires in Imperial uniforms attack the Imperial soldiers and start to eat the bodies.
Takeda: The hunger is understandable but could you stand to show a little class? Oh hello, Iba and Chizuru. I have waited a long time to see your pretty face.
Have I mentioned Takeda keeps going on about how pretty Iba is? I'm like 60% sure he's talking to him.
NOPE. HE IS BLATANTLY CHECKING OUT CHIZURU WITH HUNGRY EYES.
Chizuru: ...did he look at me that way before?
IT'S THE OTHER HORNY ANCIENT CURSED DEMON HAND ISN'T IT
Takeda is somehow MUCH better at fighting than Iba now.
Takeda: You must have been so proud of yourself for fusing to a demon hand. But demons are like gods, and every god requires a blessing!
Iba: ...human blood??
Takeda: A dozen have proven to be a worthy sacrifice!
*my brief affection for Takeda flickers out entirely even though he has a very nice cravat*
Aw but then he rants about hating Iba for coming from privilege when Takeda came from a no name family and had to claw his way to the top.
Me: Maybe he's not COMPLETELY...
He horribly wounds Iba, and before she can defend him Chizuru is captured.
Takeda: Be gentle with her, my vampire minions, for soon she will bear my children :D
OK THEN
APPARENTLY EVER SINCE HE GOT THE HAND HE'S BEEN HAVING VIVID SEX DREAMS ABOUT HER
Did...Stabdad and Sen know this would happen??? oh god
"When I told Stabdad about the dreams he said the arm seeks a mate of it's own ilk. It craves your flesh and now so do I" oh my GOD?????
Oh
my
god????????
I THOUGHT I WAS PREPARED FOR THIS PATH TO GET WEIRD
I WAS WRONG
The Takeda voice actor is using exactly the same distantly smug tone he uses for taunting Iba and I am glad because I think if he went for sexy this would tilt over into squicky for me. But as it is this is enjoyably batshit fucked up.
Iba: DON'T TOUCH HER
*is shot and doesn't heal*
Takeda: I know you have the dreams too. Why don't you tell her what lurks beneath your nauseating, sycophantic veneer? I bet she'd get a kick out of it.
*slashes Iba's chest with wounds that also don't heal*
Takeda: Agree to be my bride and do everything I want, and I will show mercy.
Choice: "Trust Takeda" vs "Don't Trust Takeda"
WELL. THIS ISN'T THE CONTEXT I WAS IMAGINING
BUT MY ANSWER REMAINS THE SAME.
Takeda: So you prefer this shit under my feet? Don't delude yourself sweetie, all men are the same. Luckily I like a girl with spirit ;)
STAB HIM
SOMEBODY. ANYBODY. PLEASE.
Somebody shoots him! Close enough!
Chizuru takes the opportunity to grab Iba and JUMP OFF THE CLIFF BEHIND THEM
Iba: Leave...me...
Chizuru: Iba, you've saved me my whole life, now it's my turn to save you.
And she puts his arm over her shoulder, and walks them to safety.
There is a rustling in the bushes and Chizuru tells Iba to stay down as she draws her sword. But it's Motoyama! He's the one who shot Takeda! BEST WINGMAN
He leads them back to the unit's boat. Iba is weak with blood loss and deeply depressed.
Iba's wounds refuse to heal, and he only manages to get out of bed at all after a month.
Chizuru: I'll cook us something to celebrate! Is there anything you're craving?
Iba: ...Chizuru...
Chizuru: Yes?
Iba: Um. No. Anything is good.
Motoyama tells them that the surviving members of their unit have joined the remaining shogunate forces up north. Any Shogunate supporters caught in Edo are arrested and interrogated, he is the first person to point out that this is exactly what the Shisnengumi used to do to Imperialists in Kyoto.
Also, there are reports from Edo of gruesome murders...
OH MY GOODNESS
SO
Iba coldly asks Chizuru how long she plans to stay with him. She wants to say "forever" but his tone puts her off so she says "until you heal".
Iba: I am sorry to bring up this bitter memory but do you remember what Takeda said? About...cravings?
Chizuru: ...yes?
Iba: Forgive me if this disturbs you. But I have...started to have the dreams too. I am drawn to you against my will. The desire is ...insatiable.
Chizuru: ...
Iba: I am consumed with guilt and longing in equal measure D: You must leave me!
Oh god was he NOT into her sexually before? Did he genuinely just think of her as a little sister? I DIDN'T THINK THIS COULD GET MORE FUCKED UP.
I am assuming that no, he had regular human level repressed attraction to her before and it's just that it's gotten ANCIENT EVIL SUPERPOWER LEVEL LUSTFUL. Because otherwise that really is too fucked up. But that it's even on the table at all...
Chizuru: You can't survive on your own!
Iba: Can't you see that I would rather bleed to death than taint you with this accursed body??
Chizuru: I don't care. I could never live with myself if I left you behind. My well being is my last priority.
Iba: o.O
Chizuru: *steps closer* Now, will you let me change your bandages?
AND THEN. IT REALLY GOES THE FULL DUBCON.
So she does his bandages and then tells him he can put back on his clothes (he's not naked but his shirt is loose). But instead he pins her to the bed, saying that she said she wouldn't mind if he had his way with her...so he will. He stares into her eyes and it's not Iba looking at her any more.
She decides it's probably better not to struggle and he is baffled and self hating and unable to control himself and I'm really not sure if he just kisses her neck a bit or...more.
He gets off her and tells her to leave.
And then. She angsts. BECAUSE HE THINKS SHE'S A BURDEN.
CHIZURU. THAT IS NOT WHY HE TOLD YOU TO LEAVE.
CHIZURU. PLEASE.
Anyway she's wandering around the market feeling unloved because she is a DUMBASS when she hears Takeda's voice D:
LOOK I LIKE DUBCON SOMETIMES GAME BUT I NEED A BREAK IT'S BEEN KIND OF INTENSE
Luckily he hasn't noticed her: he's pulling exactly the same "do what I want or I'll arrest you for treason" trick he did back with the Shinsengumi, except this time he's an Imperialist accusing people of being a shogunate supporter.
Chizuru runs away and nearly gets arrested by another random Imperial soldier...until she is rescued by Sen!
Sen: Would you mind not manhandling one of my shopgirls? I run a very popular shop. I'd hate for there to be...civil unrest...
Imperial Soldier: FINE. But tell her to be less conspicuous next time.
Sen: I'm so glad I finally tracked you down, Chizuru! How's Iba, well I assume?
Chizuru: Um.
So this should be a FUN CONVERSATION about unexpected side effects of ANCIENT EVIL DEMON HANDS.
Iba, prostrating himself: I must apologise. I broke my vow :(
Sen: I know. Please be more cautious in future.
Iba: And please, take Chizuru away with you. I am a danger to her.
Sen: What? Explain in detail.
And then there is a fade to black explanation. Good choice, game.
Sen had no idea. She says it's probably no coincidence Takeda and Kazama are both obsessed with Chizuru, but is appalled by their disrespect towards women. She also thinks the problem is that Demon wills are stronger than human, and that she has no way to know if cutting the hand off would free Iba of the compulsion.
Chizuru: Aren't you also in danger as a female demon?
Sen: If this were normal I'd have trouble running a village!
*trans headcanon for Sen intensifies*
Sen *giving Iba a significant look*: These desires must take root in feelings that already exist.
ME: TAKEDA WAS IN LOVE WITH CHIZURU WHEN HE THOUGHT SHE WAS A GUY?
Sen: And Takeda's feelings are bound up with Iba's through sharing arms from the same demon.
Me: OH. OH NO D:
Iba: She needs to be taken as far away from me as possible D:
Sen: Takeda easily overcame the shield around my village, and can beat Kimiguku and I in battle. The Shinsengumi are only human, and are on the brink of destruction as it is. Who else can protect her?
Iba: D:
Sen: What do you want, Chizuru?
(Shield? Can Sen do magic?)
OH. CHIZURU THINKS SHE'S A BURDEN TO IBA'S SANITY.
Yeah, that's fair. She kinda is.
Sen: Well, we will leave you two alone to talk.
Iba: DID YOU LISTEN TO ANYTHING I JUST SAID
Sen: I guess I do have one final question: Why do you and the Shinsengumi still defend the shogunate, when all hope is lost?
Iba gives a heartfelt speech about loyalty in the face of adversity and the nature of being a true warrior.
Sen: So what you're telling me is that victory matters less than dedication to seeing a defeat to it's end?
Iba: Precisely
Sen: Has it occurred to you that Chizuru feels the same way?
Iba: What?
Sen: In life and war, what matters is not victory, but preserving what we consider precious. How obtuse do you have to be to not understand that women are capable of bearing the same burdens? She has dedicated her life to you, and will see it through to the end.
Iba: o.O
Sen: And now, we will leave you two alone to talk.
I...am not sure how I feel about this?
Iba: Why would you dedicate yourself to me? Is it guilt? Pity?
Chizuru: No. I love you. I can't bear to be without you, no matter how much it might hurt.
Iba: I can't explain how much that means to me. But I am unworthy of your love.
He says the reason he vanished from her life for so long is that he wanted to wait until he was worthy of her, so that she didn't commit to him when he was unworthy and have him become a burden.
...ok that is ridiculous (WHO DEDICATES THEIR LIFE TO WOOING A 5 YEAR OLD WHEN THEY ARE EIGHT) but these crazy self sacrificing kids deserve each other.
But now this cursed hand whispers in his ear, things unlike the pure feelings he had as a boy, drawn not to her but her lineage. He worries it will conquer his true feelings for her.
Me: There is some weird subtext about sex here, even for a vampire dating sim.
AND NOW. IT'S TIME FOR CHOOSING "I DON'T CARE IF YOU HURT ME"
(the other option being "You can't hurt me" lol. WE KNOW THAT'S NOT TRUE)
Chizuru: Nothing you can throw at me would hurt as much as leaving you would. And I love you whether or not you can protect me. I fell in love with you all those years ago because of your kind eyes and your laugh. And the man I love would never give in to the temptations of a demon.
They express their happy feelings some more, and hug. Chizuru has a brief traumatic flashback to the last time they touched so closely, but all she can see in Iba's eyes now is kindness and love. They share a gentle, affectionate kiss.
THE DEMON HAND GLOWS.....PINK???
Iba: The voice...is gone? Perhaps the tempest in my heart has calmed now that I have accepted my feelings for you?
WAS THE REAL VILLAIN SEXUAL REPRESSION ALL ALONG
They ask Sen and she says Iba's new found emotional resolve has earned the respect of the demon inside him, especially since male demons want to protect female ones (FOR A CERTAIN DEFINITION OF PROTECT I GUESS) and Iba wants to protect Chizuru. Ehhhhh, sure, whatever. Anyway, he can control the hand now.
Chizuru and Iba decide to catch up with the remains of the Shinsengumi and Shogunate forces on Doomed Democracy Island. See, I totally predicted how this path would go!
*laughs weakly*
Sen and Kimiguku wish them well but warn them to be prepared to see horrifying things.
Heh, Chizuru gets another "long pan up her cute western outfit:" shot and Iba and Motoyama quietly think she's hot. I GUESS THIS IS THE PATH FOR THAT.
All the remaining Shinsengumi are really glad to see them but goes quiet when Chizuru asks after all the people who have died or left. And it really is a doomed democracy island.
They don't gloss over the scene where Iba explains to Hijikata about Takeda and it's A LITTLE WEIRD.
Iba: I have to protect Chizuru because none of you are strong enough.
Hijikata: HEY!
Iba: And I care about her more than anything ;_;
Chizuru: <3 ;_;
Hijikata: Ha ok, and I don't even need to ask how she feels about it. I had a feeling something like this would happen if I left you two together! Yeah, fine, protect her to your heart's content. You love her, right?
Iba: Thank you ;_; But my demon arm means I am not allowed to fight with you :(
Hijikata: Good, means I can't order you to your death :)
There's a welcoming party and Iba offers her a sip from his cup of whiskey. She's not a huge fan of the drink but blushes when she realises they drank from the same glass.
Iba asks her to chat in his room and Chizuru has another trauma flashback and I feel triggered which is super fun.
Chizuru: Just to talk?
Iba: Of course. As long as my sanity holds :)
Chizuru: Uh. So you're not controlled by the demon?
Iba: No. But I want to have sex with you ^_^ I am also quite drunk ^_^
Ok I am glad they make it clear that it's possible for his Good Pure Human Love to be sexual.
...and then I CHOOSE whether they have sex??? I am going to pick no just to see what happens, because I want it to feel genuinely like a choice if I say yes.
Aw, he is very sweet about it. And then the game moves forward to them lying in bed together because it assumes you said yes, lol, but that's ok. What matters is it's not a bad end or anything, you miss the points gain but I'm pretty sure that wouldn't interfere with getting a good ending by itself. *goes back to actually pick yes*
(Yes, I realise CHIZURU is kind of iffy consent wise here, if he's that drunk, but ehhh we are well past the point of getting too caught up in real life sexual ethics)
AW. HE REALISES SHE'S NERVOUS SO THEY JUST SNUGGLE IN BED. And now I'm back at the same point.
Instead of a sex scene, I get a montage of all her dead friends and how much she misses them! Thanks, game ;_;
She bursts into tears, and Iba comforts her. The text describes him wiping her eyes with his long slender fingers which would be romantic if the CG wasn't showing his long slender EVIL DEMON fingers wrapped in bandages. I guess they're absorbent? (Ok fine it's still pretty romantic)
They kiss and she "feels like a little girl again" and they fall asleep. Game, every time I'm on the verge of not being weirded out...
Later he drinks her blood and instead of being self hating they're both pretty comfortable being into it in a moderately non-sexual but kinky way.
And now Doomed Democracy Island reaches it's doom :(
Iba helps Chizuru with her medical duties since he can't fight. She asks him if he wishes he could be fighting with the others, and he says he would be lying if he said otherwise, but he has chosen his path and has no regrets.
Souma comes in to tell them that Hijikata and Motoyama have died :( Chizuru tells him not to die, and he says he can't, because Hijikata passed the torch of the Shinsengumi to him.
Chizuru and Iba numb their pain with work.
As the Imperial army rains fire and death upon the city, they hear tales of Imperial soldiers who cannot be killed and feast on the bodies of the dead. Time to confront Takeda.
Imperial soldier: Hey, stop! *shoots*
Iba: *cuts bullets in half* You are rather low on our list of priorities right now. You seem an intelligent man, hopefully you can see the advantage of not getting in our way.
Imperial soldier: ...yes, yes I can.
They find Takeda chewing on an arm in the middle of a pile of dismembered corpses. He speaks in a slurred voice, like a drunk.
I think the thing with Takeda is that asides from being selfish and unprincipled, he's naturally kind of pathetic and useless. But he happened to stumble into power in this one path versus all the others where he was an irrelevant irritation. He contrasts with Iba, who has principles and is unselfish, and has a natural nobility that means he always tries to use his power for good. The fact that Iba is also literal nobility while Takeda is from a less privileged background is...not so great in this context.
Iba: Where is Stabdad?
Takeda: Funny story. He was gathering bodies for me when Saito killed him ^_^
Saito <3
They fight, and Iba is now much better. He says he has forsaken his family name and political status, but has been chosen as the rightful bearer of the DEMON HAND.
Takeda grabs Chizuru, laughing that Iba is too weak to stab her to get to him.
Chizuru: It's ok! Stab me! I trust you!
Iba: ...close your eyes.
Chizuru cries happy tears to have been of use while she feels Iba's "strength" pass through her.
Chizuru /o\
The final scene opens with Iba telling Chizuru, who is resting on his lap, that the blue skies above them make him think of the blue uniforms of the Shinsengumi. She slowly opens her eyes and gives him a sleepy smile and he looks at her in shock: he's been waiting for her to wake up from her injuries for a long time.
He tells her that his blood cravings have stopped, and he'll have to apologise to Sen because the demon arm is being absorbed into his body. The war is over and he will dedicate his life from now on to making Chizuru happy. They cheerfully express their mutual affection.
THE END
I took some screenshots while playing but am feeling too weird to upload them, so Here's someone who has all the CGs in order, be warned some of them involve triggery content as described in my summary.
I think my problem with this path, like the Sanan path, is it deliberately sets off a bunch of red flags for Fun Tropey Romance Times but Chizuru is all NO HE IS GOOD AND I TRUST HIM EVEN IF HE IS A SERIAL KILLER AND/OR HAS AN EVIL HORNY DEMON HAND. And then everything's fine because she just kept putting up with everything! It hits some BAD ABUSE SURVIVOR BUTTONS FOR ME.
I mean intellectually it's no worse than stuff I do enjoy. I would have been fine with pretty much all the other consent issues in this path if...hmmm. (a) Chizuru had shown more/any interest in protecting herself from demon-Iba (which she could do while staying with him!) (b) Either pre-demon-hand Iba had less yandere flags or the game acknowledged more explicitly that the darkness within him didn't JUST come from the demon (c) Chizuru didn't end up with sexual trauma. Like, I get that they wanted to make it very clear that Iba Wasn't Like That Now but it felt like a betrayal of the implicit promise of the sort of "would be traumatising in real life but the protag is fine with it" dubcon the game has previously happily wallowed in.
Iba himself, for all his red flags, was not a bad dude overall, I just didn't like how the narrative treated him.
I did like the contrast between toxic masculinity and a lack of consent versus emotional honesty, vulnerability, and consent (except for the weird classist undertones and Iba being iffy on consent in his own ways) I think if it had pushed "don't put girls on a pedestal of innocent sexless girlishness and repress your adult feelings" a little more I'd feel better?
And now, I have only one full path left: Nagakura Shinpachi, whose path is apparently very cute but will probably be a bit more depressing for historically connected reasons, especially The Depressing Battle where he loses his faith in the Shinsengumi. Fun!
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(Anonymous) 2021-10-11 02:06 am (UTC)(link)The thing is, I have just recently finished playing Iba’s route and felt like it was so much weirder than the rest of the games that I was left with so many different feelings about it, and went to Google to search and see if by any chance other people had reviewed it to help me process my emotions lol
So I landed in this post of yours and I am so glad for it, you honestly made me laugh out loud (literally!) several times while reading. Since then I read all of your other Hakuouki posts and it was a throughout enjoyable experience. So thank you! I just felt like I had to leave a comment to tell you as much :)
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(Anonymous) 2021-10-11 03:52 am (UTC)(link)Maybe I should have left a comment there saying so instead of randomly saying it here now? Maybe. I did bookmark it there, though :)
Just to provide you with some sort of identification, I am in AO3 as “sicrana” and still at that stage where I am still obsessing about these characters, so I have been reading a lot of Hakuoki fics in there.
And just another random piece of information I will throw your way and that will be completely useless to you but I just felt I could tell you: when I first saw that your username ended with “br” for a while there I thought maybe you were brazilian like me until I saw that you are australian, so pretty much on the other side of the world from me XD
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A comment here or there is fine either way, I'm just glad to hear you liked the fic :)
You know, I've been sqbr online for 20+ years, and have encountered a few others, but I'm not sure I've ever met one where the br stands for Brazil. There probably is one out there though.