Consummate Moonlight: Hotaro and Sakuya
Mar. 27th, 2020 07:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alias_sqbrMasterlist and guide
Time for ANGSTY NINJAS.
I was wondering when we'd get an event for the Shadow love interests and this event has like...seven. Unfortunately it seems to all be established relationship stuff set after the first act of each main route, which is not ideal as a character introduction, but they're still pretty enjoyable so far.
Hotaru: Sweet and sad but a bit childlike
Sakuya: Quietly sweet kuudere torn apart by Fate.
Hotaro:
He seems to be an "autistic-coded traumatised character learns to person" type which I am absolutely here for as long as it doesn't lean into shota-y "can he even consent".
He's one of Kenshin's retainers and the others are happy to explain things to him like what pickles are, especially the sunny Yoshichi. The event seems to assume I know Hotaru's backstory but googling just tells me he's Saizo's younger brother and maybe a wizard??? Anyway, he had a "sheltered" upbringing but presumably grew up in the same Iga ninja village as Saizo and Shadow!MC.
Ahaha Kenshin gave Hotaru a 'guide to romance' what. THAT HE WROTE?? His retainers are very supportive of their lord's writing, except the grumpily sensible Kanetsugu who wishes he'd focus on his duties.
Yoshichi: This manuscript gets very in depth for something aimed at beginners!
Kagetsugu: I doubt Hotaru will understand it
Kageie: It's not about comprehension it's about practical experience
A few days later Hotaru grabs MC's hand, saying "lovers start by holding hands, right?"
MC just thinks "Is this because of Kenshin's book? Hmm, when I'm learning it's important to have multiple viewpoints" and says "Lord Kenshin's book is a valuable resource but some parts might not be standard. Look, noone around us is holding hands. Some people find it too intimate for public, or their hands are busy".
Hotaro: Oh, ok... *lets go* I'll hold your hand when we're not in public then. I might not want to stop there :)
OH. THEY'RE ALREADY DATING. AND HAVE KISSED.
Game, this would have been relevant information earlier on!!
MC is briefly overcome by sexy thoughts, but wants to make sure anything he does is inspired by desire, not just what a book told him.
They encounter a crying baby and MC calms it down with silly faces.
Hotaru: Do it to me too!
SEE GAME. THIS. THIS IS WHAT I MEANT BY BEING TOO SHOTA-Y.
WHOA IT'S KAEDE
SORRY HOTARU THIS IS A KAEDE/MC EVENT NOW
A reminder: MC and her secretly amab and bigender bff Kaede grew up in a village of ninjas who escaped the Iga ninja village, and they've all been on the run from Iga for ten years.
We finally get a flashback of MC previously telling Kaede that Hotaru has "The Soul of Language" ability (??) and was being hidden in Iga.
Kaede: Get out. Now.
MC: I'm not asking you to accept us right away. I know the danger involved and I'll take extra care he never locates our village.
???
Game how hard would it have be to have a few sentences explaining wtf is going on.
Anyway, Hotaru cheerfully tells Kaede she's pretty and smells nice but she is not won over.
MC is visibly down so Hotaru uses 'The Soul of Language' (telepathy? mental compulsion??) to get MC to watch him make a silly face.
That night he climbs on top of her and asks her to teach him 'about all of her'?? That escalated quickly! We're only on part 1 of 3!
Aww but then he asks about her childhood with Kaede, what foods she likes, etc. He says that seeing Kaede made him realise how much of MC's life he doesn't know about, and he wanted to ask her so many things he couldn't sleep. This is cute but her reaction's a little patient babysitter. She feels dirty for having assumed he was thinking about sex.
She thinks about the things she can't tell him: her village being fugitives from Iga, and that time his older sister tried to kill her??
This older sister Yuki is pretty cute. Haaa I went to see if I could just link to a picture instead of uploading a screenshot and came across this full length image. GARTERED FISHNETS. SURE WHY NOT.
MC bumps into Kenshin sneaking out and says she won't rat him out...then immediately does so lol.
Hotaru: I told Lord Kenshin I couldn't use his guide because it's not what most people do so he said he needed more practice.
Ahaha
That afternoon Kaede watches with sharp eyes as MC introduces Hotaru to their village. She wants him to experience the kind of happiness she grew up with.
Oh wow MC is feeling overwhelmed by him describing his life since childhood, raised alone in a dark room and only let out for missions D: He at least eventually got a cat, Tora.
His brother and sister only saw him on missions?? SAIZO, YOU BETTER NOT HAVE HAD A CHOICE ABOUT THAT >:(
MC gives Kaede some intel she got from Hotaru and Kaede gives a tired smile and says to just be careful noone finds out Hotaru is from Iga.
MC's dad is welcoming and doesn't poke at his vague backstory.
Hotaru: MC, your house is warm and bright, like you :)
Just as MC is thinking Hotaru looks the happiest she's ever seen him, and is hoping this decision doesn't come back to bite her...
Yuki: Why don't you make faces like that for your big sister? But good job finding a village of Iga fugitives :)
All the villagers immediately glare at a horrified Hotaru. Kaede is the first to bother actually attacking Yuki, who says "My goodness, aren't you lovely" then melts away into the dark, with Kaede chasing after her.
(oh no I ship it)
Hotaru is bound and dragged away looking blank and miserable despite MC crying out that he's done nothing wrong.
Ahhh and then he uses The Soul of Language/kotodama to command the two holding him to "go away". Everyone else stares at him like an abomination and drives him away, calling him an enemy. Consumed with guilt, MC chases after him, back to the castle.
Hotaru: Am I dirty? Am I your enemy?
MC: Never! Listen-
Hotaru: I don't want to listen! I don't want to talk!!
The other retainers come in but Hotaru shouts that everyone is too loud. His eyes go blank again and he commands everyone to shut up. Everyone stares at him in silent shock.
Hotaru: I don't want to hear anything. I'm scared of knowing. I'm everyone's enemy? Everyone's scared of me?
He collapses, unconscious. Everyone else is too scared to approach, but MC curls herself over him.
OH NO. AND THEN THE OTHER RETAINERS PUT HIM IN A CELL???
And refuse to let MC stay with him because it's not safe ;_; At least they say it's temporary, until Hotaru calms down and/or Kenshin comes back.
MC is nearly paralysed with self loathing, but can only think of one person who might be able to help.
MC, bowing deeply: Yuki. How do I save Hotaru?
Yuki: What does he see in you, I wonder? I hate girls like you.
And then she reaches between her breasts...and pulls out the information MC gave to Kaede.
Yuki: Don't worry, your friend is fine.
Me: :D
Yuki: I like to take my time when I gobble up a delectable specimen of a man ;)
Me: :/
MC: Wait what?
Yuki: This is what you get for being stupid, using Hotaru for information with your honeyed words. Either you care about someone or you don't. This middle ground is just cruel.
MC manages to get the others to let her go to Hotaru. He wakes, sensing her presence, and when he realises he's alone in a cell gives a sad, almost sentimental smile ;_;
MC: Gods help me, I'm so sorry. I've lied to you about so much. I'm a former ninja of Iga, and I first started talking to you because I though I could use you. But all that changed when I got to know you. Nothing about you is unclean or shameful, you are breathtakingly lovely inside and out. I'm the disgraceful one. I'm sorry for bringing you to my village, I should never have pushed my definition of happiness onto you.
He just stares at her as she says she's unworthy of him, and goes to leave. But he reaches for her through the bars. He commands her not to go...and then makes a silly face, even now concerned with her happiness.
Hotaru: You're smiling.
MC: I do that a lot around you.
The next day Kenshin returns from his sexpedition and Hotaru is freed, apologising to everyone for the disturbance. Everyone is glad he's back to himself.
Yoshichi: Must be easy for you, not knowing how worried I am about you. But that's ok, I like you just as you are!
Hotaru: I'm ok as I am?
Yoshichi: Yeah, you're Hotaru, and that's just right.
Some unnamed retainers are less happy, but Kenshin says that MC can always calm Hotaru down. That's provably not true, but sure.
MC: I will?
Hotaru: Yes. She will.
MC: But I have no right to...to...
Kenshin: No one in this world is perfect. You and Hotaru are still untried in many ways. All the more reason to help each other grow.
His dad-friendness would be cuter if I hadn't just read him being a sexually creepy spider demon...
Aww and then Hotaru asks MC if the people from her village are ok? SUCH A SWEETIE. MC wonders if he might want to try to reconcile, but has learned her lesson and actually asks him.
Hotaru, shaking his head: I liked learning about you. I love your father, I love everyone. Thank you for taking me to your village, but...I'm not going any more. It's ok though, I'm not sad.
Despite what Yuki said, MC thinks sometimes you have to compromise to be happy together. She's going to stay by his side and help him find his own happiness.
Hotaru: Not as 'cute Hotaru" or 'poor Hotaru'. Just...Hotaru.
Not being a monster, she says yes.
Hotaru: Also, there's something I want you to teach me.
He checks noone's around then kisses her hand and adds "When we're alone".
Me and MC: Does he means sex, or...
First line of epilogue preview:
Hotaru: Do you know where babies come from?
GAME. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS.
Look, I'm not saying I'm not into innocent sheltered guys learning about sex, but it looks like he talks a bunch about "making babies" like a five year old and...no.
...probably not...
WAIT, FOUR PEARLS? NOPE.
ANYWAY.
I had a section here where I got very confused about the points sytem but I think I have it figured out now, go me.
Fujibayashi Sakuya:
Within a few sentences we learn that MC is waiting for her lover, Sakuya (also known as Sakutaro), to return from a battle on behalf of Oda Nobunaga's army. SEE, HOW HARD WAS THAT.
They're endearingly happy to see each other in a quiet way. She calls him 'Saku'!
It's weird seeing "MC" in Nobunaga's castle but not a cook. Instead she's helping to heal the sick.
(The maids here are also Matsuko and Umeko? Like in the Yukimura path? DOUBLE AGENTS)
Sakuya insists on helping MC when she's out gathering herbs. They're both sensible, emotionally restrained, self sacrificing types. Also when MC admires autumn leaves in the river Sakuya quotes poetry (which he apparently learned from Mitsuhide aw)
Aw he gets self conscious that a ninja quoting poetry must look like a fool. But MC wants him to be able to express the dormant emotions he'd thought dead until their reunion. Ok this path sounds pretty great.
And then! An Iga ninja appears! Sakuya stands in front of MC so she can make her escape, and reminds the ninja that Iga (and also...Fujibayashi?) decided they aren't sure they want to anger Nobunaga by attacking MC.
The ninja replies that Nobunaga's odds of defeating his enemies aren't looking great right now, so working for Nobunaga may not keep MC safe for long.
Sakuya has a cute little monkey called Tobimaru who tries to cheer him up.
Ranmaru is sad because he dad died in the battle. MC refers to him as a child which is kinda uncomfortable when the game hints around him being Nobunaga's lover, but also true, considering the historical Ranmaru was like 15 when he died.
Sakuya quietly watches as MC makes herbal anti depressants for the soldiers. MC sadly thinks that they're living on borrowed time, relying on Nobunaga's strength.
MC: Is there anything that can be done?
Sakuya: Ninjas only follow their masters orders, unless the masters can no longer pay.
But then he holds her gently and says he'll put his life on the line to protect her, and that a healer as talented as her can find work anywhere. But she doesn't want to picture a world without him in it. She pulls him close, wanting to hold onto him as tightly as she can.
A bunch of soldiers desert and MC can't bring herself to blame them considering her own personal history. Sakuya seems fine with Nobunaga's order to kill them, but says he won't get MC to help.
Deserter: Please!
Sakuya, stained with blood: I'm only following orders. *kills him*
Does that...have the same connotations...in Japan...
Sakuya realises he's by the same river he saw with MC, but now the autumn leaves are indistinct in the cover of night. He kneels down to cleanse his hands of blood.
The moon comes out and suddenly it's like he faces a river of blood. He stumbles back.
At home, he finds MC collapsed asleep in the middle of preparing medicine. He wants to touch her, but he feels like his hands are still stained red. The next morning MC wakes alone, under a blanket, and wishes she'd had the chance to see his face. She finds a single autumn leaf, smudged with blood.
She bumps into him while gathering herbs, but he's distant. He says Iga is thinking of breaking ties with Nobunaga and forging contracts with his enemies.
Sakuya: I can't take you back to the village now. But don't worry, you'll survive even if Kiyosu (Nobunaga's town) falls.
MC: I understand. But is this what you want?
Sakuya: Our relationship only exists in Kiyosu.
MC, her heart breaking: I see. Well thank you for letting me know.
After that, MC avoids Sakuya, and he avoids the castle so much people start thinking he's a deserter. Everyone gossips about her being left behind but she 'kills her heart like a good shinobi'.
Nobunaga: Do you know why Saku hasn't returned?
MC: He hasn't told me anything.
Nobunaga: If he tries to betray me, kill him.
MC: Yes, milord :(
She starts to wobble from stress and overwork and Mitsuhide runs to make sure she's ok, telling her she should turn to others for help when she needs it.
He invites her to his chambers for tea and sweets, and she apologises on Sakuya's behalf for vanishing (and, implicitly, deserting).
MC: Whatever else may be true, he really did love the poetry you shared with him.
Mitsuhide: I am anxious for his sake. I hope he is able to return to us safely.
MC: :(
He gives her the poem he was going to give Sakuya at their next recital: "Though a swift stream may be divided by a boulder, it rushes on and is at last united once more" and explains that it's a prayer for lovers who have been separated. MITSUHIDE <3 I'm glad he has a friend to discuss poetry with.
MC finds herself crying. "I was happy to see Saku little by little turning back into the boy he once was. But I had it wrong. We weren't the rock, we were the stream. We were finding new versions of ourselves."
And now they're enemies. The next time they meet, he might die, poisoned, at her hands. She mutters to herself that she can no longer live in a place without Saku (putting Mitsuhide in a difficult position but he just looks sad)
That night she sneaks out to visit Iga, deciding she's willing to die if she gets to see Sakuya one more time?? Uh, ok then MC :(
Iga ninja: I've been looking forward to killing you ^_^
MC: Sorry to disappoint, but I can't die here. I have other places to be.
Literal game dialogue:
MC: I REFUSE TO LET ANYBODY KILL ME BUT SAKUYA!
Iga Ninja: What the?!?!
He stumbles back at her 'battle roar' and she readies to spring in for the kill, only for him to fall dead at the hands...of Sakuya!
MC: Sakuya, there you are.
Sakuya: Why did you come to Iga? You know you'll be killed.
MC, slowly approaching, weapon drawn: I'm fine with that. Kill me, Saku. It's better than the alternative.
Sakuya, stepping back: Why?!
MC: You said I can survive anywhere. But I can't exist without you.
She leaps towards him, but he pulls her into his arms, and kisses her. There's a bunch of imagery around fallen maple leaves like blood etc.
Sakuya: You're poison, killing the ninja that I am.
MC: Come back with me to Kiyosu. We can build a life together there.
He says yes.
And then Nobunaga kills him!
Ok hopefully not. But I have to gather more points to find out how he explains himself. It's very surreal playing this at the same time as Yukimura's route, where Nobunaga's army are the bad guys.
Ooh! Sakuya was actually brokering peace with the warrior monks! They don't mention that this will make things easier for Nobunaga's sister, but it's nice to know.
Nobunaga: You did so under no orders from your lord. But I will overlook your insolence this time :)
MC and Sakuya have a very sweet moment together, and hug. He's still working for Iga, he doesn't seem to have reached the same level of "literally all that matters is you" as MC, but is slowly unlearning "literally all that matters is being a good ninja". They're both pretty accepting about each other's priorities considering it nearly got MC killed.
The Epilogue preview is basically just "And then they have sex! For the first time!" and I'm sure it's really sweet but not for four pearls, game.
Anyway, that got a bit overwrought but was pretty sweet. I was pondering Sakuya's route already and he does seem like the kind of secretly angsty kuudere I like.
Next up is Hanzo but I have three days before the next lot unlock and want a little break before starting someone so mean.
Ooh, I came across this page that has voice samples for all the Shadow LIs, just click on their faces. Ah and here's the Radiance voices. My emulator has trouble with the SLBP sound for some rerason so it's good to hear them all. Shingen sounds like 60 haha.
Time for ANGSTY NINJAS.
I was wondering when we'd get an event for the Shadow love interests and this event has like...seven. Unfortunately it seems to all be established relationship stuff set after the first act of each main route, which is not ideal as a character introduction, but they're still pretty enjoyable so far.
Hotaru: Sweet and sad but a bit childlike
Sakuya: Quietly sweet kuudere torn apart by Fate.
Hotaro:
He seems to be an "autistic-coded traumatised character learns to person" type which I am absolutely here for as long as it doesn't lean into shota-y "can he even consent".
He's one of Kenshin's retainers and the others are happy to explain things to him like what pickles are, especially the sunny Yoshichi. The event seems to assume I know Hotaru's backstory but googling just tells me he's Saizo's younger brother and maybe a wizard??? Anyway, he had a "sheltered" upbringing but presumably grew up in the same Iga ninja village as Saizo and Shadow!MC.
Ahaha Kenshin gave Hotaru a 'guide to romance' what. THAT HE WROTE?? His retainers are very supportive of their lord's writing, except the grumpily sensible Kanetsugu who wishes he'd focus on his duties.
Yoshichi: This manuscript gets very in depth for something aimed at beginners!
Kagetsugu: I doubt Hotaru will understand it
Kageie: It's not about comprehension it's about practical experience
A few days later Hotaru grabs MC's hand, saying "lovers start by holding hands, right?"
MC just thinks "Is this because of Kenshin's book? Hmm, when I'm learning it's important to have multiple viewpoints" and says "Lord Kenshin's book is a valuable resource but some parts might not be standard. Look, noone around us is holding hands. Some people find it too intimate for public, or their hands are busy".
Hotaro: Oh, ok... *lets go* I'll hold your hand when we're not in public then. I might not want to stop there :)
OH. THEY'RE ALREADY DATING. AND HAVE KISSED.
Game, this would have been relevant information earlier on!!
MC is briefly overcome by sexy thoughts, but wants to make sure anything he does is inspired by desire, not just what a book told him.
They encounter a crying baby and MC calms it down with silly faces.
Hotaru: Do it to me too!
SEE GAME. THIS. THIS IS WHAT I MEANT BY BEING TOO SHOTA-Y.
WHOA IT'S KAEDE
SORRY HOTARU THIS IS A KAEDE/MC EVENT NOW
A reminder: MC and her secretly amab and bigender bff Kaede grew up in a village of ninjas who escaped the Iga ninja village, and they've all been on the run from Iga for ten years.
We finally get a flashback of MC previously telling Kaede that Hotaru has "The Soul of Language" ability (??) and was being hidden in Iga.
Kaede: Get out. Now.
MC: I'm not asking you to accept us right away. I know the danger involved and I'll take extra care he never locates our village.
???
Game how hard would it have be to have a few sentences explaining wtf is going on.
Anyway, Hotaru cheerfully tells Kaede she's pretty and smells nice but she is not won over.
MC is visibly down so Hotaru uses 'The Soul of Language' (telepathy? mental compulsion??) to get MC to watch him make a silly face.
That night he climbs on top of her and asks her to teach him 'about all of her'?? That escalated quickly! We're only on part 1 of 3!
Aww but then he asks about her childhood with Kaede, what foods she likes, etc. He says that seeing Kaede made him realise how much of MC's life he doesn't know about, and he wanted to ask her so many things he couldn't sleep. This is cute but her reaction's a little patient babysitter. She feels dirty for having assumed he was thinking about sex.
She thinks about the things she can't tell him: her village being fugitives from Iga, and that time his older sister tried to kill her??
This older sister Yuki is pretty cute. Haaa I went to see if I could just link to a picture instead of uploading a screenshot and came across this full length image. GARTERED FISHNETS. SURE WHY NOT.
MC bumps into Kenshin sneaking out and says she won't rat him out...then immediately does so lol.
Hotaru: I told Lord Kenshin I couldn't use his guide because it's not what most people do so he said he needed more practice.
Ahaha
That afternoon Kaede watches with sharp eyes as MC introduces Hotaru to their village. She wants him to experience the kind of happiness she grew up with.
Oh wow MC is feeling overwhelmed by him describing his life since childhood, raised alone in a dark room and only let out for missions D: He at least eventually got a cat, Tora.
His brother and sister only saw him on missions?? SAIZO, YOU BETTER NOT HAVE HAD A CHOICE ABOUT THAT >:(
MC gives Kaede some intel she got from Hotaru and Kaede gives a tired smile and says to just be careful noone finds out Hotaru is from Iga.
MC's dad is welcoming and doesn't poke at his vague backstory.
Hotaru: MC, your house is warm and bright, like you :)
Just as MC is thinking Hotaru looks the happiest she's ever seen him, and is hoping this decision doesn't come back to bite her...
Yuki: Why don't you make faces like that for your big sister? But good job finding a village of Iga fugitives :)
All the villagers immediately glare at a horrified Hotaru. Kaede is the first to bother actually attacking Yuki, who says "My goodness, aren't you lovely" then melts away into the dark, with Kaede chasing after her.
(oh no I ship it)
Hotaru is bound and dragged away looking blank and miserable despite MC crying out that he's done nothing wrong.
Ahhh and then he uses The Soul of Language/kotodama to command the two holding him to "go away". Everyone else stares at him like an abomination and drives him away, calling him an enemy. Consumed with guilt, MC chases after him, back to the castle.
Hotaru: Am I dirty? Am I your enemy?
MC: Never! Listen-
Hotaru: I don't want to listen! I don't want to talk!!
The other retainers come in but Hotaru shouts that everyone is too loud. His eyes go blank again and he commands everyone to shut up. Everyone stares at him in silent shock.
Hotaru: I don't want to hear anything. I'm scared of knowing. I'm everyone's enemy? Everyone's scared of me?
He collapses, unconscious. Everyone else is too scared to approach, but MC curls herself over him.
OH NO. AND THEN THE OTHER RETAINERS PUT HIM IN A CELL???
And refuse to let MC stay with him because it's not safe ;_; At least they say it's temporary, until Hotaru calms down and/or Kenshin comes back.
MC is nearly paralysed with self loathing, but can only think of one person who might be able to help.
MC, bowing deeply: Yuki. How do I save Hotaru?
Yuki: What does he see in you, I wonder? I hate girls like you.
And then she reaches between her breasts...and pulls out the information MC gave to Kaede.
Yuki: Don't worry, your friend is fine.
Me: :D
Yuki: I like to take my time when I gobble up a delectable specimen of a man ;)
Me: :/
MC: Wait what?
Yuki: This is what you get for being stupid, using Hotaru for information with your honeyed words. Either you care about someone or you don't. This middle ground is just cruel.
MC manages to get the others to let her go to Hotaru. He wakes, sensing her presence, and when he realises he's alone in a cell gives a sad, almost sentimental smile ;_;
MC: Gods help me, I'm so sorry. I've lied to you about so much. I'm a former ninja of Iga, and I first started talking to you because I though I could use you. But all that changed when I got to know you. Nothing about you is unclean or shameful, you are breathtakingly lovely inside and out. I'm the disgraceful one. I'm sorry for bringing you to my village, I should never have pushed my definition of happiness onto you.
He just stares at her as she says she's unworthy of him, and goes to leave. But he reaches for her through the bars. He commands her not to go...and then makes a silly face, even now concerned with her happiness.
Hotaru: You're smiling.
MC: I do that a lot around you.
The next day Kenshin returns from his sexpedition and Hotaru is freed, apologising to everyone for the disturbance. Everyone is glad he's back to himself.
Yoshichi: Must be easy for you, not knowing how worried I am about you. But that's ok, I like you just as you are!
Hotaru: I'm ok as I am?
Yoshichi: Yeah, you're Hotaru, and that's just right.
Some unnamed retainers are less happy, but Kenshin says that MC can always calm Hotaru down. That's provably not true, but sure.
MC: I will?
Hotaru: Yes. She will.
MC: But I have no right to...to...
Kenshin: No one in this world is perfect. You and Hotaru are still untried in many ways. All the more reason to help each other grow.
His dad-friendness would be cuter if I hadn't just read him being a sexually creepy spider demon...
Aww and then Hotaru asks MC if the people from her village are ok? SUCH A SWEETIE. MC wonders if he might want to try to reconcile, but has learned her lesson and actually asks him.
Hotaru, shaking his head: I liked learning about you. I love your father, I love everyone. Thank you for taking me to your village, but...I'm not going any more. It's ok though, I'm not sad.
Despite what Yuki said, MC thinks sometimes you have to compromise to be happy together. She's going to stay by his side and help him find his own happiness.
Hotaru: Not as 'cute Hotaru" or 'poor Hotaru'. Just...Hotaru.
Not being a monster, she says yes.
Hotaru: Also, there's something I want you to teach me.
He checks noone's around then kisses her hand and adds "When we're alone".
Me and MC: Does he means sex, or...
First line of epilogue preview:
Hotaru: Do you know where babies come from?
GAME. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS.
Look, I'm not saying I'm not into innocent sheltered guys learning about sex, but it looks like he talks a bunch about "making babies" like a five year old and...no.
...probably not...
WAIT, FOUR PEARLS? NOPE.
ANYWAY.
I had a section here where I got very confused about the points sytem but I think I have it figured out now, go me.
Fujibayashi Sakuya:
Within a few sentences we learn that MC is waiting for her lover, Sakuya (also known as Sakutaro), to return from a battle on behalf of Oda Nobunaga's army. SEE, HOW HARD WAS THAT.
They're endearingly happy to see each other in a quiet way. She calls him 'Saku'!
It's weird seeing "MC" in Nobunaga's castle but not a cook. Instead she's helping to heal the sick.
(The maids here are also Matsuko and Umeko? Like in the Yukimura path? DOUBLE AGENTS)
Sakuya insists on helping MC when she's out gathering herbs. They're both sensible, emotionally restrained, self sacrificing types. Also when MC admires autumn leaves in the river Sakuya quotes poetry (which he apparently learned from Mitsuhide aw)
Aw he gets self conscious that a ninja quoting poetry must look like a fool. But MC wants him to be able to express the dormant emotions he'd thought dead until their reunion. Ok this path sounds pretty great.
And then! An Iga ninja appears! Sakuya stands in front of MC so she can make her escape, and reminds the ninja that Iga (and also...Fujibayashi?) decided they aren't sure they want to anger Nobunaga by attacking MC.
The ninja replies that Nobunaga's odds of defeating his enemies aren't looking great right now, so working for Nobunaga may not keep MC safe for long.
Sakuya has a cute little monkey called Tobimaru who tries to cheer him up.
Ranmaru is sad because he dad died in the battle. MC refers to him as a child which is kinda uncomfortable when the game hints around him being Nobunaga's lover, but also true, considering the historical Ranmaru was like 15 when he died.
Sakuya quietly watches as MC makes herbal anti depressants for the soldiers. MC sadly thinks that they're living on borrowed time, relying on Nobunaga's strength.
MC: Is there anything that can be done?
Sakuya: Ninjas only follow their masters orders, unless the masters can no longer pay.
But then he holds her gently and says he'll put his life on the line to protect her, and that a healer as talented as her can find work anywhere. But she doesn't want to picture a world without him in it. She pulls him close, wanting to hold onto him as tightly as she can.
A bunch of soldiers desert and MC can't bring herself to blame them considering her own personal history. Sakuya seems fine with Nobunaga's order to kill them, but says he won't get MC to help.
Deserter: Please!
Sakuya, stained with blood: I'm only following orders. *kills him*
Does that...have the same connotations...in Japan...
Sakuya realises he's by the same river he saw with MC, but now the autumn leaves are indistinct in the cover of night. He kneels down to cleanse his hands of blood.
The moon comes out and suddenly it's like he faces a river of blood. He stumbles back.
At home, he finds MC collapsed asleep in the middle of preparing medicine. He wants to touch her, but he feels like his hands are still stained red. The next morning MC wakes alone, under a blanket, and wishes she'd had the chance to see his face. She finds a single autumn leaf, smudged with blood.
She bumps into him while gathering herbs, but he's distant. He says Iga is thinking of breaking ties with Nobunaga and forging contracts with his enemies.
Sakuya: I can't take you back to the village now. But don't worry, you'll survive even if Kiyosu (Nobunaga's town) falls.
MC: I understand. But is this what you want?
Sakuya: Our relationship only exists in Kiyosu.
MC, her heart breaking: I see. Well thank you for letting me know.
After that, MC avoids Sakuya, and he avoids the castle so much people start thinking he's a deserter. Everyone gossips about her being left behind but she 'kills her heart like a good shinobi'.
Nobunaga: Do you know why Saku hasn't returned?
MC: He hasn't told me anything.
Nobunaga: If he tries to betray me, kill him.
MC: Yes, milord :(
She starts to wobble from stress and overwork and Mitsuhide runs to make sure she's ok, telling her she should turn to others for help when she needs it.
He invites her to his chambers for tea and sweets, and she apologises on Sakuya's behalf for vanishing (and, implicitly, deserting).
MC: Whatever else may be true, he really did love the poetry you shared with him.
Mitsuhide: I am anxious for his sake. I hope he is able to return to us safely.
MC: :(
He gives her the poem he was going to give Sakuya at their next recital: "Though a swift stream may be divided by a boulder, it rushes on and is at last united once more" and explains that it's a prayer for lovers who have been separated. MITSUHIDE <3 I'm glad he has a friend to discuss poetry with.
MC finds herself crying. "I was happy to see Saku little by little turning back into the boy he once was. But I had it wrong. We weren't the rock, we were the stream. We were finding new versions of ourselves."
And now they're enemies. The next time they meet, he might die, poisoned, at her hands. She mutters to herself that she can no longer live in a place without Saku (putting Mitsuhide in a difficult position but he just looks sad)
That night she sneaks out to visit Iga, deciding she's willing to die if she gets to see Sakuya one more time?? Uh, ok then MC :(
Iga ninja: I've been looking forward to killing you ^_^
MC: Sorry to disappoint, but I can't die here. I have other places to be.
Literal game dialogue:
MC: I REFUSE TO LET ANYBODY KILL ME BUT SAKUYA!
Iga Ninja: What the?!?!
He stumbles back at her 'battle roar' and she readies to spring in for the kill, only for him to fall dead at the hands...of Sakuya!
MC: Sakuya, there you are.
Sakuya: Why did you come to Iga? You know you'll be killed.
MC, slowly approaching, weapon drawn: I'm fine with that. Kill me, Saku. It's better than the alternative.
Sakuya, stepping back: Why?!
MC: You said I can survive anywhere. But I can't exist without you.
She leaps towards him, but he pulls her into his arms, and kisses her. There's a bunch of imagery around fallen maple leaves like blood etc.
Sakuya: You're poison, killing the ninja that I am.
MC: Come back with me to Kiyosu. We can build a life together there.
He says yes.
And then Nobunaga kills him!
Ok hopefully not. But I have to gather more points to find out how he explains himself. It's very surreal playing this at the same time as Yukimura's route, where Nobunaga's army are the bad guys.
Ooh! Sakuya was actually brokering peace with the warrior monks! They don't mention that this will make things easier for Nobunaga's sister, but it's nice to know.
Nobunaga: You did so under no orders from your lord. But I will overlook your insolence this time :)
MC and Sakuya have a very sweet moment together, and hug. He's still working for Iga, he doesn't seem to have reached the same level of "literally all that matters is you" as MC, but is slowly unlearning "literally all that matters is being a good ninja". They're both pretty accepting about each other's priorities considering it nearly got MC killed.
The Epilogue preview is basically just "And then they have sex! For the first time!" and I'm sure it's really sweet but not for four pearls, game.
Anyway, that got a bit overwrought but was pretty sweet. I was pondering Sakuya's route already and he does seem like the kind of secretly angsty kuudere I like.
Next up is Hanzo but I have three days before the next lot unlock and want a little break before starting someone so mean.
Ooh, I came across this page that has voice samples for all the Shadow LIs, just click on their faces. Ah and here's the Radiance voices. My emulator has trouble with the SLBP sound for some rerason so it's good to hear them all. Shingen sounds like 60 haha.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-27 09:28 am (UTC)I like how this whole part sounds like what I would expect a love interest to say, not the MC! :D
no subject
Date: 2020-03-28 01:02 am (UTC)Yes! I wish it hadn't leaned
no subject
Date: 2020-03-27 08:04 pm (UTC)The Sakuya route was really fun, it was great to see Nobunaga and Mitsuhide from another angle. The moral questions involved in working for them are pretty different from the moral questions involved in dating them so it was fun to see those explored.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-28 01:00 am (UTC)Yeah and it doesn't look like the epilogue gives them that time :/
And yes! Even if it's been funny seeing Nobunaga and Ieyasu's poor woobie little armies menaced by the big scary Takeda etc while simultaneously playing the Yukimura path which does the reverse.