Nightshade: Chojiro
Oct. 21st, 2020 01:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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I knew going in that a lot of people dislike this route. I have complicated feelings, but I'm glad I played it. The lowered expectations helped.
This game is all about how various characters deal with the trauma of being raised to murder from childhood. How Chojiro copes is by doing his best to be a perfect part of the system, even when it is clearly hurting both himself and those he cares about. Which is by turns tragic and frustrating, and while he is 100% Team Enju by the end, he doesn't really apologise.
The route also leans super hard into the "older male relative" incest vibes (cousins don't always feel super incestuous to me but these two do)
Also, for a romance, a surprising amount of the plot involves them not being together. I saw one reviewer describe it as like watching Naruto: lots of ninja drama, not much romance. Some of the tragedy is a bit gratuitous, too.
But I managed to roll with all that and enjoy it.
Content Note: Suicide
A little more detail on the incest vibe, no spoilers:
It helped, for me, that he's only 23, and his Sensible Grownup mask cracks a little by the end. But there's no corresponding "he doesn't still think of her as that little girl he babysat" arc because he totally does and they're both into it.
My reactions, includes spoilers:
A little conversation where a builder is happy that paranoid rich people are hiring him to improve their fences even though it won't help against Goemon. I like the little bits we see of regular life for the common people, it's all mostly exposition but they are given a little character.
Following a walkthrough from the start so I'm deliberately alienating everyone except Chojiro, but once again the difference between "good" and "bad" choices is pretty minor.
Aww but I had to ask Gekkamaru if he was slacking on the job. He would never.
Ah, interesting! I haven't hit the path split yet, but there's already a divergence: this time Enju goes to help find Goemon while Kyara and Kuroyuki help Hanzo defend Ieyasu Tokugawa. I guess it splits based on which of (Gekkaramu or Chojiro) vs (Hanzo or Kuroyuki or Goemon) you have more points with.
Kuroyuki is less enthused about working with Kyara than he was about Enju. She's your hot childhood bff too, Kuroyuki!
After Chojiro and Enju meet Hanzo, Chojiro asks Enju if she's curious and takes very little prompting to talk about how cool and great Hanzo is and how glad Chojiro is he escaped the war by being sent (sold??) to the Tokugawa as a talented 12 year old. This is more endearing with the mental image of Chojiro as an adorable 2 year old looking up to big brother Hanzo.
Chojiro: Compared to him I am nothing as a shinobi.
Enju: That's not true you're super cool and I want to be just like you so I can stand by your side!
Chojiro: ... :)
Bluh the skip function thinks I haven't seen the scene with Hideyoshi in the cart because it's in a different branch. BUT I HAVE. Ah well, it should skip in future now.
Interesting, looks like there was no second assassination attempt on Tokugawa this time, so the plot just focusses entirely on finding Goemon.
Who I really hope isn't going to get boiled in oil now I'm not on his path /o\
And now I'm on the actual Chojiro path!
Enju is going undercover as a maid from a Nice Samurai Family at the estate they think is going to be stolen from by Goemon.
Gekkamaru: I wish I could dress as a woman and do it for you ;_;
Ennosuke: Ew.
Kuroyuki: Lol, do it!
Kyara: Hot, amirite Enju?
Enju: Totally.
Gekkamura: Really??
Enju and Kyara: Lol no.
Hmmph. I support you dressing as a woman, Gekkamaru.
Enju and Chojiro work together to get the letter, and are both very pleased with each other's competence. Afterwards she runs to meet him happily and remembers how he used to quietly walk her home from training when she was little. And then it turns out he was reminded of the same thing.
Enju: Are you saying I'm childish?
Chojiro: I'm saying I find you adorable...never mind. Let's deliver the letter.
Aw the key to persuading Deputy Maeda is that Enju successfully replicated Goemon's handwriting. Go Enju!
Naturally, when Enju asks Chojiro to go sight-seeing he says he's planning on doing paperwork and she should go have fun without him, but he seems happily surprised by the request and is persuaded to help her buy a present for her dad (his uncle/boss lol) They haven't spent much time together off the training fields since she was little, and she wants to be closer.
He suggests a handkerchief shop, but is awkwardly unable to muster any opinions on aesthetics.
Chojiro: You must care for your father very much, you look so happy shopping for him :)
Enju: I wasn't thinking about Father, but about...you. It's a gift to thank you for all your help. Thanks to you, maybe now Father will see me as useful.
Chojiro: You should give yourself more credit. And I try not to own things like this.
Enju: Handkerchiefs?
Chojiro: Things that matter. But I will treasure it. Though when I think of how you smiled when you bought it I feel a little shy.
He mutters to himself that he shouldn't misunderstand.
This is kinda cute in a MASSIVE DADDY ISSUES kinda way. She has had to stop herself grabbing for his sleeve like a child multiple times ahaha /o\
AND THEN HE GRABS HER WRIST SO HE CAN HOLD HER HAND. "Because you reached out for me. And I wanted to"
He reminisces about how she used to pretend to be asleep as a child to stay in his room.
Chojiro: You bewilder me. I've tried not to hold anything dear, because the more you care the more it hurts when you lose it...
LIKE YOUR FRIENDSHIP WITH GOEMON
She encourages him to treasure things, saying they are in a time of peace, and he says that then he will spend more time out with her.
(Also his hair seems to be canonically purple)
Now for the less shippy version of the catching Goemon scene. PLEASE DON'T DIE GOEMON. I'M SORRY I CHOSE INCEST MURDER ANGST THIS TIME IT'S NOTHING PERSONAL.
"I wouldn't know, but isn't that what shinobi wear?" Nice attempt at deflection, Goemon.
(Part of me's all GRAB HER AND RUN BEFORE THE PLOT DRAGS YOU BOTH DOWN)
...this dialogue seems to be largely identical but it won't skip uuurrrghhh...
Chojiro is incredibly proud of Enju, who has never used the ninjitsu he taught her successfully before. I think this is the first time we get the "I understand you best, as your cousin and teacher" line, which becomes a a repeated theme.
Chojiro: That was your mother's ninjitsu. Not everything from Iga has been lost. *touches her cheek* Enju, to me you are...
But they're interrupted. And we later see him staring at his hand, not knowing what it was he was going to say. "I have long given up on wanting. Yet I keep reaching out to her..."
(He said some other stuff but I forgot and the log is giving me future scenes again >:( )
Ooh, Hideyoshi got stabbed this time! They even had a different, blood-soaked CG! Last time he was...idk, strangled? It was unclear.
Gekkamaru: She's taking a long time :(
Ennosuke: Maybe they're having sex ;)
Gekkamaru: I'M COMING ENJU-SAMA D:
Kyara: He was just joking! She's fine, right Brother Chojiro?
Chojiro: ...something's wrong.
Mitsunari Ishida arrives. He seems to respect and trust Chojiro to stay put even though Enju is "not coming back tonight, for reasons I can't explain right now". Gekkamaru is determined to find her right away, so Chojiro knocks him out, which increases Ishida's approval.
Still not sure how I feel about Ishida. He's obviously willing to do some shady shit, but so is...pretty much everyone else.
Ennosuke is sent with a letter from Ishida to Enju's dad Kando.
Kando: This is very bad. The whole village could be in danger.
Ennosuke: Is Enju ok????
Kando: Enju is fine. Take this reply to Minister Ishida, and then this letter to Chojiro.
Kando, muttering to himself: Enju, this is for the good of the clan, forgive me.
Me: Aw, he does care about her at least a little!
Kando: Bwahahaha >:D
Me: ...never mind
Part of me wonders if he he's not even her biological dad, somehow. I mean the only other option that comes to mind is Hanzo and if that was true people wouldn't be only giving incest warnings for Chojiro. Similarly for Tokugawa. So let's say...Mitsunari Ishida! Not that biological dads can't be evil in otome, but there's obviously SOMETHING hinky going on with his marriage.
Anyway. As Enju sits in her cell I wonder if Chojiro will DISOBEY ORDERS and visit her or even HELP HER ESCAPE. (EDIT: lol)
Enju: I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment as a disciple...
But then she hears a familiar voice. It's...GOEMON! Makes sense, she did just get him arrested.
Goemon: It was getting boring down here, it's nice to have someone to talk to. Though...you're probably not happy about being in prison. Want to talk about your troubles?
Aww, he's still being a sweetie. She doesn't feel guilty about catching him but is happily surprised that he's being so nice about it.
He thinks Hideyoshi being stabbed like that was significant, but doesn't explain why.
Gekkamaru has woken up and he and Chojiro are all set to have a nasty fight when Ennosuke returns. But seeing the letter grips Chojiro with more fear than he has ever felt in any battle. His hand itches with a premonition of something bad about to happen.
Chojiro, reading: Last night, Hideyoshi was killed...by Ueno Enju...
Ennosuke: Why would she do that??
Chojiro, raising his voice for the first time all game: I DON'T KNOW D:<
Kuroiyuki: I don't believe it!
Kyara: What are our orders? To rescue her?
Chojiro: ...to return to Koga. He says he has cut ties with her to protect the village, and she is no longer a Koga shinobi...
Kyara: What are you going to do? If we leave her here she'll be executed!!
Chojiro: Those are our orders. If Koga is suspected of treason, we will be destroyed. Just like Iga.
Of course Gekkamaru isn't convinced by this, and Chojiro lets him leave, though it means he is now also no longer part of the Koga.
Chojiro silently wonders what he would do if he was free, but tells himself such thoughts are pointless, as he digs his fingers so hard into his palm it bleeds. Gekkamaru is the only one who can save her now.
Bittersweet flashback to Chojiro and Enju sparring and WTF HIS WEAPON IS THE SIZE OF HIS WHOLE TORSO
Goemon asks if Enju wants him to help her get free but she doesn't think it's a serious question. He asks about life in Koga, happy to hear it's peaceful, and she ends up talking about how much she respects and is understood and encouraged by her 'teacher from Iga' (who I'm not sure Goemon knows is Chojiro yet)
Just as Goemon is about to argue that she clearly has things to live for and maybe should come with him...Gekkamaru shows up and breaks her out! ...and there's Goemon, who just escaped his own cell.
Goemon: Just when I was about to be the hero. Well, since we're all free, why don't we run away together :)
Gekkamaru is dubious but Enju says Goemon is nice, and Goemon points out he actually knows his way around the country.
Was not expecting the Gekkamaru/Goemon roadtrip on a route involving neither of them, I see what people mean about the plots being repetitive. On the plus side, Goemon is not being boiled in oil!
Enju is heartbroken to hear that her father disowned her and Chojiro was so willing to go along with it, even while she understands their reasons. She tries to tell the two guys she's too dangerous for them to be around but they won't budge.
I am vaguely recalling seeing someone (possiblyscytale) say this route starts out promising and then the middle is BORING and ANNOYING and uh...yeah I can see it shaping up that way. Oh well.
The other Koga students are sad. Chojiro reveals that Kando specifically said it would be ok to let Gekkamaru go if he insisted.
Kuroyuki: But he'll obviously be able to free her...why order the rest of us not to help?
Kyara: So that Enju would be saved, but Koga wouldn't be responsible! He DOES care :D
Ennosuke and Kasami: Yay ^_^
Chojiro silently thinks Kando doesn't care about Enju at all, yet he desperately wants to be able to believe that she will be ok, and part if him wishes he could have been the one to save her (would you have, though, dude).
The combination of repeated scenes I can't use the automatic skip on with an unreliable dialogue log is QUITE ANNOYING. I'm going to use the "skip everything" function and just hope I can judge what scenes to skip without missing anything, using quicksaves to go back if I screw up. Let's see how that goes...
*skips a council of elders scene because UGH they are SO ANNOYING*
Gekkamaru and Goemon compete to see who can bring back the best food for Enju to cook. She's not as good at cooking as either of them but they're teaching her and SHE'S THE GIRL I GUESS. The three of them are happy together despite being on the run.
Back in Koga, the villagers are all gossiping about how Enju is an Evil Criminal Now. Because that's what Kando says she is.
Kasumi, Ennosuke, Kyara, and me: >:(
Chojiro is going on mission after mission, unsuccessfully trying to outrun his thoughts of Enju. And Kuroyuki has gone off somewhere (probably to meet up with Enju, if it's like Goemon's route)
I forgot to mention on the Goemon post but Kuroyuki didn't show up at the end, and was supposedly still back at Koga. I get the feeling there's THINGS going on there.
Kando gives a speech to the village.
Kando: Enju is an unforgivable criminal who should be punished.
Chojiro and his students: >:/
Kando: And now she has run away with Gekkamaru.
Chojiro etc: :D
Kando: Which has implicated us, so now armies will come to destroy us just like Iga >:(
Chojiro etc: :( ???? Wasn't this what you wanted ???
Kando: But Minister Ishida has generously offered to forgive us if we bring him their heads!
Chojiro: (This must have been his plan all along. But I am a Kogo shinobi. I will obey orders)
Kando sends Chojiro and his students? Including KASUMI?? Not sure if this is some plan or just narrative convenience.
Also their full names are Chojiro Momochi, Ennosuke Yamakura, Kyara Mikumo, and...Kasumi. Maybe she's an orphan or something.
Chojiro accepts blankly on his own behalf but argues that he can do this alone, wanting to spare the others. Being questioned angers Kando, who says "those closest to the targets will know best how to defeat them". Kondo deliberately triggers Chojiro's childhood trauma to make him agree that this is acceptable if it protects the village.
One thing I like about this game is how cynical it is about the people in power. There's not Bad Leaders and Good Leaders. There's Bad Leaders and Only Kinda Shitty Leaders. Hakuoki portrayed it's leaders as bad too but in more of a romantic "Sacrificing yourself for honour is beautiful even if the orders are bad" way.
Outside the others tell Chojiro they can't do it and he coldly says that if they won't obey orders he'll cut them down. He doesn't mean it, but there's villagers watching, because these kids are dumbasses. The angry, traumatised villagers thank Chojiro and berate the students until they run away.
Chojiro explains that people change when they are scared, and that shinobi are cold blooded and heartless, feeding off the negative feelings of others. "This will be a lesson to us as shinobi"
He gets them to split up, because Kasumi is absolutely going to take down Gekkamaru and Enju all by herself. (EDIT: Yeah, having seen how this plays out, his plan makes no sense. Why make it two against one unnecessarily?) He is blank, feeling nothing except regret that he clearly hasn't taught his students enough detachment.
Goemon thinks it's strange noone's come after them yet.
...it belatedly occurs to me that the "council of elders decide how to find Enju" scene probably did have different dialogue I skipped past, if Koga is being sent alone. Eh, I'm not here for the politics, I'm sure it was roughly equivalent.
Goemon's being less flirty with Enju but they're still really cute together, and at this point I feel like her best bet is for Chojiro to sacrifice himself for her in a big romantic tragic gesture, and then Goemon helps her work through her grief and find a healthier love. Gekkamaru is as devoted as ever, of course.
Goemon: Your husband is really sweet on you ;)
Enju: My what??
Goemon: Just teasing. But you are lovers, right?
Enju: He's my bodyguard! Though...he has no reason to be obligated to me any more...
Goemon: *pinches her cheeks* Stop being so focussed on the past, I want to see you smile.
Enju: Wut I neher ent to et you involved
Goemon: You're allowed to think about your own happiness. Everyone else does. If you were a nasty girl, Gekkamaru would have dumped you a long time ago. Or you could choose me, I'm simple. If I like you, I'll stay ;)
Ahh, so he wasn't flirting before cos he thought she was in a relationship, but now feels free.
Enju: I never thought about why Gekkamaru stayed...
Goemon: Hey, I was making a proposal here! Why not run away with me? *reaches for her again* *has to quickly dodge a dagger aimed at his hand, and then Gekkamaru's sword* Hey!
Enju: Stop, he was just trying to cheer me up!
Goemon: No, Miss, I was hitting on you.
Gekkamaru: D:<
Enju: ...well, I'm alright.
Gekkamaru: Hmm >:/
Enju: (I'm glad they're getting along better)
THAT'S your takeaway?
Ennosuke has found them and is trying to convince himself killing someone is no big deal :( I have a vague headcanon that Ennosuke has a thing for Gekkamaru but never said anything since Gekkamaru's feelings for Enju are hardly subtle, and that certainly makes this angstier!
Enju: Gekkamaru...I don't want you being in danger because of me, you should go :(
Gekkamaru: I chose you after considering everything else. I don't regret my choice and I never will. Perhaps you can prove your innocence. I believe in you.
People currently aceing the Better Boyfriend Than Chojiro test: Goemon, Gekkamaru, Ennosuke. Kuroyuki and Hanzo are off screen but so far haven't even thought about killing her so they're doing pretty well too.
Gekkamaru: We grew up together, I'm family, put your trust in me.
Enju: I don't want you tied to me because I care for you as family.
MMMmmm. 'Cesty!
Gekkamaru: Ennosuke, why are you here? Are you on a mission?
Ennosuke: Yes :(
Enju: I was just thinking about how I wanted to see you, to say goodbye!
Ennosuke: Goodbye, huh :( *vanishes into the trees*
Gekkamaru: Oh :(
Goemon hefts Enju onto his shoulders and makes a run for it while Ennosuke and Gekkamaru fight. Enju is absolutely heartbroken, and knows that if Ennosuke was sent after her there will be others.
Kyara: If you cry so much you won't be able to fight when the time comes.
Kasume: WHEN THE TIME COMES??? ;_; ;_;
Kyara thinks about how she was supposed to go off alone but couldn't abandon Kasumi. She wonders if Ennosuke has reached Enju, since he's the fastest. She knows Gekkamaru would do anything to protect Enju, including kill Ennosuke, and there's no way Ennosuke can win alone.
Kyara: You have to be strong. And I must protect my family.
And then she leaps away, and Kasumi is left alone, sobbing.
???: Kasumi-dono, we can help.
????????!!!
Gekkamaru: Are you serious about killing Enju-sama?
Ennosuke: I have no choice! If I don't the village will die!
Gekkamaru, eyes blank: Then the village can die, for all I care.
He is absolutely set to murder the hell out of Ennosuke but is stopped at the last second by Kyara, who grabs Ennosuke and runs.
Goemon says he and Gekkamaru made plans to meet in a place called Mikawa. But didn't tell Enju... COS SHE'S THE GIRL I GUESS.
Hanzo is following them, unseen.
Enju: Goemon, you're so kind and cheerful, how did you become a thief?
Goemon: Perhaps because I am kind and cheerful. I was never suited to being a shinobi.
Enju is terrified of seeing the others, but the thought of seeing Chojiro doesn't scare her, even though she knows it would mean her death. He is the perfect shinobi, merciless in a way she never managed. He wouldn't suffer in killing her the way the others would. (Enjuuu yes he would)
Goemon guesses what she's thinking and says she reminds him of Chojiro, never willing to admit when she's scared.
Goemon: I know students are supposed to resemble their teachers, but you're too similar. The way you think, the way you fight...I wish he'd taught you how to live instead of how to die.
Enju: Then teach me how to live.
Goemon: Hmm. Well. Gekkamaru would be sad if you died. For now just concentrate on staying alive. At some point you'll probably figure everything out for yourself. You must have gotten your pessimism from Chojiro...if he was here I could give him a scolding. Well, more like a chat. You reminding me of him makes me miss him.
Game you are making a very compelling case for Goemon/Chojiro here but not so much for Enju/Chojiro.
Enju is a little jealous that Goemon knows things about Chojiro she doesn't, and deathly curious.
Goemon: Are you in love with him?
Enju: ...I don't know. I admire him, and I've been thinking about him a lot...
Goemon: You should find out. Next time you see him, tell him how important he is to you. You'll figure out your feelings.
Enju: ...when he's trying to kill me?
Goemon: I didn't say it would be easy. But remember what I said.
She gets the sense that he's getting ready to leave her, like the sea breeze from the ocean just beyond the trees is blowing away his disguise. And sure enough he says he needs to go check on something, telling her if he's not back in two hours then go on ahead.
I hope he's not going to get killed by Hanzo :(
Goemon: SUP HANZO I KNOW YOU'R HIDING OUT HERE. Are you here to kill the girl?
Hanzo: My orders are to observe.
Goemon: Observe what... D: Let me go!
Hanzo: I can't have you interfere.
Enju is alone at sunset, just like she used to be after training. She wonders if keeping someone happy is enough reason to stay alive, when other people would be happy if she was dead.
Chojiro shows himself, and she feels as if he has come to take her home. He asks why she's smiling, and then draws his sword. She thinks to herself that fighting back will be how she shows him respect.
He waits for her to make the first move.
The walkthrough says to attack and I don't need to be told twice!
"If I am to die, I want to leave at least one blow. I want to leave a mark"
(oh look I ship it again now)
Chojiro: Good. But you need to be faster. *strikes with his sword and nearly cuts her in two*
Even though he's genuinely trying to kill her, she's happy: for the first time, he's not facing her as her teacher, but as an equal. She uses her ninjitsu, surrounding him with a million cherry blossoms, then aims her daggers at his back. But he blocks the blow, and she is knocked to the ground, unable to move. She can sense his killing intent as he walks towards her.
Chojiro: Too slow. If you had been a little faster, it might have worked.
Enju: I'm sorry. It's hard to defeat your teacher.
Chojiro: Of course.
And then he stabs his sword into the ground and kneels over her, silently choking her.
Enju: He didn't even say goodbye. That's so like him. He used his own hands as an act of mercy.
There's, um. Quite a CG to go with it.
His eyes tremble, but he doesn't look away, and he doesn't stop. As she suffocates, she is happy. He's the perfect shinobi. A tear rolls down her cheek as she realises she loves him. Her face contorts in pain and without realising it she reaches for his sleeve. With a smile on her face, she whispers his name.
(Or possibly "Big Brother")
He falters, and then lets her go, eyes wide, and she gasps for breath. And then he looks around, because Kuroyuki mind-controlled him into stopping, otherwise he absolutely would have killed her. Though Kuroyuki points out it only worked because Chojiro was faltering.
*bumps Kuroyuki up the "better boyfriends than Chojiro" list*
Kuroyuki: She's bruised! That's no way to treat a girl.
Chojiro: Do you know what you're doing?
Kuroyuki: Yes. Do you? *grabs Enju and runs*
Here I got MASSIVELY DISTRACTED by getting a new phone and reinstalling Samurai Love Ballad Party. Which has lost all my data so I'm redoing Saizo, angsty ninja of Iga, disciple of [Chojiro's dad], who eventually gets assigned to murder his love interest. It's pretty strange having them both in my head at the same time.
Anyway.
As I recall, Enju was remembering what Chojiro was like as a teenager: always distant, like a beautiful but untouchable painting. She felt like he would disappear, so she was always reaching for him, but while he let her follow him he was always looking off into the distance. She thinks he was looking towards Iga, where it used to be.
She wakes from unconsciousness.
Gekkamaru shows up and apologises for having failed to kill Ennosuke, Kuroyuki laughs at how bloodthirsty he's being but is clearly also 100% up for it himself. Kuroyuki says he saw the writing on the wall and made himself scarce before he could be ordered to kill Enju.
Aw even Kuroyuki seems to feel sad about poor Kasumi being sent to kill Enju.
Enju thinks back to when Chojiro was choking her, how for the first time he was looking at her, not into the distance. She wants to ask him why he faltered.
We see Ennosuke and Kyara discussing how they might defeat Gekkamaru together.
Kyara: We really are shinobi. We didn't like this mission, but now...we're committed, even if it means killing our best friend. I think I understand what Brother Chojiro was trying to teach us now.
:(
Kyara: I want to defend everyone. I don't want to lose my friends, or family. And...I don't want to lose you, Ennosuke.
Ennosuke: ...I don't want to lose you, either. Next time, we'll win.
...yeah, ok, I thought the game would ship them in at least one route. But it kinda works for me. And it's ambiguous, they could be gay queerplatonic bffs!
Kyara thinks to herself: We are coldblooded, and feed on others. It is just as Brother Chojiro said. We try to stay alive, even if it means sacrificing someone else.
We see Kasumi with strange, bandage covered ninja from another clan. They say they do not wish to see the Koga destroyed, and will help her. She is afraid, but doesn't know what else to do.
D:
Chojiro is standing where Kuroyuki left him, confused and angsty about his own motivations. Goemon shows up, and says Chojiro is the same as ever: too much of a coward to break the rules, and live. Chojiro tries to convince himself that Goemon is his enemy, but fails.
(Also Goemon uses his childhood nickname, which was Cho-chan)
Kuroyuki explains to Gekkamaru that Koga will be destroyed if Enju doesn't die. They agree not to tell her: for both of them, she is all that matters.
Kuroyuki hasn't even met Goemon but is coldly unhappy about Enju's trust in him.
Kyara: Kasumi! You found us, great job!
Kasumi: No, I....um. I...*recites line* I heard that Enju and Gekkamaru were heading towards Mikawa.
Ennosuke: Great work, let's go!
Kasumi: :(
Me: :(
I have mixed feelings on this as a romance but it is interesting having this POV on things, instead of LI & MC (and maybe some of her friends) vs the world it's just this big sad mess. And given the setup, if NONE of her LIs tried to kill her for the clan where would be the fun in that?
Kuroyuki cheerfully suggests the three of them go to a public bath, then when Enju starts moping about their friends says she needs to get used to the idea of killing them all.
Enju: :(
Gekkamaru: Kuroyuki! Don't say that! I will kill them all.
Enju: :( :(
Kuroyuki: ...I'm here too you know
Oh god Kyara is here smiling gently, saying she has a letter from Kando D:
For a moment Enju believes it. But just a moment.
Gekkamaru and Kuroyuki quickly flush out Ennosuke and Kasumi, giving constructive criticism on the quality of the trap.
And then the fight begins. Gekkamaru and Kuroyuki are more skilled, and initially have the upper hand, but Ennosuke and Kyara work better as a team. They start to win, and Enju knows she should help, but her hands tremble and she can't.
And then Kyara charges at Enju, who can do nothing but weakly hold up her dagger, and Kuroyuki blocks the blow. He's knocked to a tree like a rag doll and vomiting blood.
Kyara softly and sadly mutters "Idiot". And then goes back to attacking Enju, eyes cold.
Enju realises she is the only one out of all of her friends who isn't willing to kill the others. She feels a deep sharp pain in her heart.
Seeing Gekkamaru and Kyara horribly injure each other, she finally prepares herself to really fight. The bloodied Kyara smiles. "You've finally come to your senses"
AHHHHHH
AND THEN KYARA KILLS KUROYUKI OFFSCREEN
AND THEN ENNOSUKE AND GEKKAMARU GIVE EACH OTHER MORTAL WOUNDS
Gekkamaru's last words to Enju are to apologise that he can't protect her any more. Ennosuke's last words to Kyara are to tell her to live.
AND THEN
THE WEIRD BANDAGED NINJA SHOWS UP
AND KILLS
KYARA
FUCK
When they all died on Goemon's route I was pretty sure it was a trick but thiiiiiiiiis feels real D:
Ninja: And now, Kasumi, do your job! Kill Enju!
Kasumi's eyes are blank as he puts her weapons in her hands. But all she does is scream "NO!" and then collapse.
Ninja: Useless. We'll just fabricate the evidence.
They turn to face Enju.
And then their bodies explode in blood...at Chojiro's sword.
LITTLE LATE, CHOJIRO.
He picks up the bodies of his disciples, and tells Enju to follow. She carries the unconscious Kasumi.
They bury the dead bodies in silence and it is VERY SAD. Afterwards she asks if he is going to kill her and he just says "not now".
I had a paranoid feeling I might have missed something in that political scene I skipped after all so I watched it and it was a big pile of NOTHING. No decisions just a bunch of endless bickering and boring Sengoku history. It ends with SOMEONE coming in with a solution to their problems.
...I'm guessing Kando, or one of his allies, saying that they can cover up the death by killing everyone who knows about it? Or something? idk.
Chojiro says he looked for Kuroyuki's body but only found a pool of blood, and suspects he was swept away in the river. All she can see is memories of her friends covered in blood.
Chojiro: Did you kill Hideyoshi?
Enju: No.
Chojiro: I see. Yet when you fought me, you didn't protest your innocence. Why?
Enju: Because I knew you were a shinobi. You know the importance of orders.
Chojiro: Oh :(
The next morning Kasumi finally wakes up, but her eyes remain blank. Chojiro makes a very bad breakfast, and says he has decided on a destination. This is the first time Enju has eaten his cooking, and it tastes like charcoal.
You know at first I didn't like that they killed everyone (on a narrative level, obviously I don't like it emotionally) but I feel like...we need to really feel how fucked up Chojiro is willing to get on a visceral level, not just know it theoretically with thwarted attempts or strangers or stuff in the past. Because it puts Enju's continued certainty that he's perfect in such sharp relief.
Kasumi just sleeps and cries. Enju wipes Kasumi's eyes, and thinks to herself that if she'd just let herself be executed at the start, the others would still be alive.
Enju: Why haven't you killed me?
Chojiro: Because I don't understand the situation.
She's baffled: since when does he delay obeying an order so he can understand the broader context??
I'm actually really into this it's so fucked up! They're just...so totally products of their environment, baffled by the thought of there being any other choice but to do as they're told.
Kasumi wakes up screaming "I'M SORRY". Chojiro gently comforts her and rubs her back.
Chojiro: You don't need to worry it's just the three of us here.
Kasumi: Just...three...
Chojiro: I mean that there are no enemies. You're safe.
Kasumi: I'm sorry...I have to kill Big Sis....or the village will be destroyed!
Enju: What?
Kasumi: Wait, um, it's not true!
Enju: I understand now. Why they fought so hard. This is all because of me.
Chojiro: Wait!
Enju runs out, ending up at her friends grave. She apologies to them, and then pulls out her dagger. She stabs down...and hits Chojiro's hand, grabbing the dagger. She feels the warmth of his body against her back, the heat of his blood as it drips from his hand.
Chojiro: I said to wait.
Enju: Your hand...let go!
Chojiro: Not until you promise to wait.
He says a bunch of stuff about his life and feelings, and how the two of them are the same. He understands her despair and preference for death over disobedience. He saw her look up at him as he killed her, looking him in the eye, and thought she was beautiful, the only one who understands him, and he couldn't bring himself to do it. He has tried to repress his feelings, but he is human underneath, and only realised how much he needed his students now they are gone. He can't lose anyone else.
She loosens her grip and realises she's misunderstood him. He tried to repress his feelings, and doesn't know how to express himself, but underneath he cares deeply and is in pain. She is immediately determined to teach him how to care about life which, uh...put on your own oxygen-mask first Enju. Looking at the cut on his hand, she sees tiny scars on his palm from every time he's clenched his hand so hard it bled.
When they get back to Kasumi, Kasumi says it's all her fault, and Enju realises she led the mysterious ninja to her friends. But who were these ninja and what did they want?
And then another ninja clan turns up and Kasumi tries to confront them to protect the others and they MURDER HER TOO.
Which I was kind of expecting for narrative causality reasons but geeeeze. Time to go to bed before they kill Goemon and Hanzo.
Chojiro defends Enju from a similar attack, and is poisoned.
Ninja: Kasumi is dead. Once this man is dead too, our job will be done.
And then...he dies, at Hanzo's sword.
Hanzo: You go too far.
Too far? So he was cool with them killing Kasumi? :/
Hanzo gives Enju an antidote for Chojiro, which she forces him to drink mouth to mouth, and says she'll need to come with him to Fushimi Castle in Kyo to get further doses. Then he helps her bury Kasumi.
Enju cares for Chojiro's unconscious body and wonders blankly whether she will be executed. Chojiro thinks she shouldn't die, like she means something, but all she wants is to be with him for as long as she can.
When Chojiro wakes, she tells him about everything and he clenches his hand.
Enju: Stop, you'll reopen your wound.
Chojiro: Perhaps it will stop the itching. Every time I feel like I am going to lose something, my hand itches. I clench it tight, but it's like holding sand, the tighter I clench the more it slips thorough my fingers. That's what happiness is to me.
Enju, holding his hand in hers: Then hold onto my hand. Then even if you lose something, you will be warm.
Chojiro: Then you'll have to let me return the favour.
He pulls her into a hug and strokes her hair, saying he's sorry he wasn't there for her after Kasumi died.
Enju: If you do that I'll cry.
Chojiro: Good. I want to be here when you cry, so you can let it out.
Though he can't cry, she can feel him shaking.
Chojiro: There's something I must tell you, though you may be angry with me for not telling you.
Enju: With you? Unlikely.
Chojiro: ...I feel it's possible. I used to think over everything I said, as part of my duty as a teacher. But it might be better not to calculate with my words, and stay quiet when I am uncertain. I want to talk as much as possible during the time we have together. Since it was my words that managed to keep you from taking your life.
She never realised how much of what he said was a front. See, game, you're not 100% selling me on the "she understands him best" thing, but I guess maybe everyone else understood him even worse.
Chojiro: I have decided to protect you and help with whatever burdens you are carrying. Because you are doing me a favour, staying here because I asked you to. I will do what I can to lessen any pain you have. Just thought you should know.
When I went to sleep what I wanted was for him to apologise for his role in fucking up everyone's lives. But "I owe you happiness for asking you not to kill yourself" is certainly Something.
Chojiro: So many things about this situation are suspicious...even Goemon said something similar.
Enju: Oh yes, you two know each other.
Chojiro: Did he say something strange to you?
Enju: ...well, he hit on me a few times.
Chojiro: ...of course he did. Well, despite his shortcomings he's a sharp man. I should have listened to him when he said things didn't add up.
Goemon, in the distance, having sensibly gotten as far away from this clusterfuck as possible: SEE. IF YOU'D ALL JUST LISTENED TO ME AT THE START...
Aw, Chojiro still doesn't know what's going on, which is why he never said anything, but now he's telling her what on his mind even when he's uncertain.
Chojiro: I like sharing a meal with you, it's like we're married.
Enju: !!!!!!!
Chojiro: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable by implying we're like a couple.
Enju: No I...liked it.
Chojiro: What. Is that true?
Enju: ...
Chojiro, sharply: Answer me, Enju!
Enju: Don't use your teacher voice, that's unfair!
Chojiro: I'm sorry, I'll ask like your cousin. Enju, tell me if it's true.
Enju: That's not much different!
Chojiro: R-right >.> Then I will ask as a man to a woman.
He moves closer and his voice gets low and she is very into it. She says the idea of them being together makes her happy and he smiles but doesn't tell her how he feels.
Later he tries to tell her more about his childhood, since she wants to know, but he's awkwardly bad at talking about himself. So she asks instead what he was going to say to her before, "Enju to me you are...". He says he thought about it over and over afterwards and realised he didn't know. But he does now.
Chojiroooo just tell her you lovvveee herrrrr
Hanzo is escorting them to Kyo but keeping his distance. I think he doesn't want to be a third wheel lol. I wonder how he felt, carrying Chojiro's unconscious body, remembering the toddler he used to babysit.
Chojiro is still weak from the poison.
Enju wishes she had time to find someone else to take care of Chojiro after she dies. ENJUUU
Chojiro says he's finally realised how important she is to him, that she always was at the centre of things even when he tried not to want anything, and they hug.
Enju: Thank you for bringing us to Kyo.
Hanzo: ...you don't have to thank me :(
Afterwards he mutters to himself "You life wasn't mean to be used this way".
Waiting for them...is Kando D:
Enju prostrates herself, not knowing how she can possibly apologise. HONEY.
Kando: You have done well. But you are my daughter after all. The game was intended to continue to the end, but you have impressed him well. Chojiro, you have done well too. I would have expected you to be faster but...what matters is that the client is happy.
IS THE CLIENT HIDEYOSHI. IS THIS ALL SOME BULLSHIT TEST
FUCK
IT IS
Hideyoshi: Hahaha that is the expression I was hoping for! Shinobi, veterans of bloody battles, gaping like fools :D
YOU'RE THE ONE WHO GOT THEM COVERED IN BLOOD HIDEYOSHI
HOLYYY FUCKKKKKK IT REALLY WAS A GAME
THE STUDENTS AND CHOJIRO ALL GOT ASSIGNED TO DIFFERENT ELDERS
WHOEVER KILLS ENJU WINS
When he saw Enju defeat Goemon he decided she was 'worthy of the stage she would be put on'
(Also that really was a dead body. It was his body double, who Hideyoshi presumably knew well, but he just thinks his trick was hilarious)
Chojiro remembers Kyara thinking Kando encouraged Chojiro to let Gekkamaru go out of compassion for Enju, and makes an inarticulate sound of pain.
Hideyoshi tuts about the lords who used their own ninja to cheat. Cheating is bad! Oh and Hanzo was the referee. No wonder he was too ashamed to talk to Chojiro and Enju afterwards. *bumps him down the better boyfriends list*
Chojiro and Enju: *silently vibrating with fury and grief*
Hideyoshi: We were going to play until you were killed but then I heard you killed FOUR of the players yourself! Very well done!
Enju: (...they killed each other. And for what???)
Enju: How could you??
Chojiro silently puts his hand on hers. She must bear with this for now.
OH GOD.
HIDEYOSHI WANTS THE TWO OF THEM TO FIGHT TO DEATH IN FRONT OF HIM
MORE ENTERTAINING THAT WAY
Hideyoshi: You've been very inspiring, the way you cling to life so tenaciously. If you survive, I'm not going to pick a guardian at all and will just keep ruling while my son grows up. So you must bring your all to this fight, to inspire me to live on!
Kando: he is very generous. You will fight well tomorrow, and the winner will be well rewarded. As will Koga, you have my thanks :)
To Enju, his smile looks like a slimy smirk.
Enju: Father, are you saying you sacrificed our lives to entertain Hideyoshi?
Kando: Of course. You are shinobi. You live only to fulfil your master's orders.
Enju: Then what of our friends lives?! Did they mean nothing to you?
Kando: Do not raise you voice. You forget what a shinobi is supposed to be. They should be proud that they were of some use to their master. Isn't that right Chojiro?
Chojiro: D:<
Kando: You want this, don't you? :) *dangles antidote*
Chojiro: That won't be necessary.
Kando: Then we'll see how you fight without it :) *leaves*
Enju: If that's what a shinobi should be then I...I...
Chojiro silently comforts her.
Enju is silently disgusted as maids primp and pamper her so she "looks her best".
Hideyoshi's rule, Koga village, it all seems rotten to her now. All she wants is Chojiro. She calls his name and he softly drops from the ceiling.
He says he has something to say but has trouble with the words. Then he finally finishes his sentence: You're my everything. I don't want to be your teacher or your cousin, I want to be your man. Because of you, I don't fear anything.
Enju: Brother Chojiro...do you mean to die? Do I have to keep living without you?
Chojiro: You confuse me. Come here.
He kisses her and whispers "When I touch you, I want more" and I'm not sure if he means sex or life.
Chojiro: Because of you, I fear death. That's what I wanted to say to you. You make me want to live.
He becomes weak due to the poison and the two of them lay down. She keeps him warm until the dawn.
The next day they face each other, weapons drawn, and Enju thinks back nostalgically to the day he tried to kill her. Back then they fought for what they believed in.
For a while, they spar, both taking it seriously but also being easy on each other, while Enju thinks about her feelings, and what they've been through. Chojiro is weakened, and obviously intends for her to kill him.
And then she throws her weapons to the ground and says "Brother Chojiro, you're not going anywhere!" She uses her ninjitsu to surround them in petals and throws herself towards him. He drops his sword and catches her. And then they run.
Just as they're surrounded by guards with no escape...THE ROOM FILLS WITH SMOKE. IT'S GOEMON.
BEST BOY
At the gate they meet a furious Kando. They EMBARRASSED him!
But he is held back...by KUROYUKI!!! WHO IS NOT DEAD!!!!
(I had a tiny hope since no body but yaaaay)
Kuroyuki wishes them well but looks like he'd be happy to attack Kando just for fun anyway. I am...not sure Kando is getting out of this alive. SUCKS TO BE YOU, KANDO.
Just as the poison makes Chojiro stumble, Hanzo drops a bag of the antidote in front of them. And then they are free.
Enju says she'll defend the still sick Chojiro from any attackers, and he says that if she wants, they can travel to the sea. All he wants is to go somewhere far from Koga, where he can be a human rather than a shinobi. But one day, they will return to the grave of their friends and pay their respects.
And then he asks if she wants to marry him.
Enju: I...think I made my feelings clear >.> But yes, I love you dearly.
Chojiro: I'm glad. Even if our feelings aren't the same. There are many forms of love...
Me: WTF
Chojiro: I am not just in love with you. You are my everything.
Me: OK GOOD
They talk about their feelings some more and then make out.
THE END
You know, I really was thinking he'd apologise or at least express some regret about raising these kids to die. At least once! But I'm pretty sure he didn't! He was sad they died, but as much for himself losing them as for themselves. Ah well. I was also expecting him and Enju's "Maybe being a ninja is bad actually" realisations to be more explicit but they were both pretty clearly implied. I'm glad I played Goemon first, since that had all the clear and explicit "MURDER IS BAD. THE NINJA SYSTEM IS BAD. RAISING KIDS TO SACRIFICE THEMSELVES IS BAD" I could want.
There's a lot of implicit critique of toxic power structures and how they hurt people but zero attempt to fix those structures or even really address the character's own complicity.
Chojiro...really is a shitty boyfriend. He loves her and they make each other happy but yiiiikes.
But idk, in the context of the whole game...I like that we have an LI who buys into being a ninja 100%, who is Enju's ideal of what a ninja is, and doesn't immediately throw all that to the wind to save her. It doesn't make him look good but creates a contrast with the others.
This route exemplifies the way toxic power and family structures perpetuate themselves, even when people are trying their best to be good, and to care for each other. An idealised father figure who never entirely stops being a father figure, but vows to be a better one, and is revealed to be more human and young and hurt than his perfect persona.
And regardless of how they see each other, to me they both seem like sad hurt children only just learning to see themselves as people.
I think next Kuroyuki, since whatever his other flaws he's certainly committed to Enju from the word go, and I need a break from "older male relative she grew up with".
Curious to know if Hanzo manages to beat Goemon for Best Boyfriend, I suspect Gekkamaru and Kuroyuki...will not.
First....uuurrrrgghhhh should do the bad end. MAYBE I'LL REPLY TO MY COMMENTS ON THE EARLIER POSTS FIRST.
I hope she kills him. I didn't mind her being fridged for Goemon, since it showed how he'd become so utterly devoted to her that he'd let go of his pacifism. But it would feel gross on this route.
Every time I stream this from the Windows machine in the kitchen there is a moment before the sound switches over when the company's logo plays this sound like a reversing drain and it gives me a start every time.
BAD END
Oh look. It's Kasumi...and everyone...yayyy /o\
I guess they can't get MORE dead on the bad end. Of course, Kuroyuki and Goemon can...
During their escape, Gekkamaru sees Enju's despair and says "Am I not enough? You can reach out to me when you need it."
Sorry Gekkamaru :(
Enju tries to pretend to Chojiro that she doesn't want to cry, and he holds her and says "We don't have to try so hard".
Everything is basically the same until the final battle. Enju can tell that Chojiro plans to let her win, and is determined not to lose him this way.
But this time she just stands still, not dodging his next attack. His sword stops at her throat.
Chojiro, abandoning his sword: Don't you understand? Nothing has scared me more than the feeling of your pulse weakening against my hand. I can't do that again.
OH GOD. She says some stuff about being happy as long as he's by her side, and how her ninjitsu will bloom it's most beautiful today, and puts a dagger in his hand, and her own blade to his heart.
The petals surround them and then they kill each other, with smiles on their faces. A rain of crimson petals fills the castle, revealing two lovers, finally free.
THE END
;_;
The bad ends seem to involve her loving the LI but not trusting the relationship enough to think of a way out of The Final Confrontation. Which is a logical consequence of being someone who makes a lot of relatively lukewarm responses.
Bonus Scenario 1:
Kuroyuki and Gekkamaru try to cheer up Enju by talking about cool places they've seen on missions, especially the sea. Enju thinks it's sounds beautiful, but can't quite imagine it.
It feels like the sea is a symbol of freedom on this route: beautiful and distant and always slightly out of reach.
I really can't tell if Kuroyuki saying he wants to share Enju and teasing Gekkamaru about being into her is supposed to make me think he's hinting at a threesome or if all the pseudo-incest is getting to me.
Bonus Scenario 2:
On the way to Kyo, Enju cooks Chojiro fish, and they discuss her teaching him how to cook, with bittersweet hope of having a future where that's possible. It's pretty cute.
I knew going in that a lot of people dislike this route. I have complicated feelings, but I'm glad I played it. The lowered expectations helped.
This game is all about how various characters deal with the trauma of being raised to murder from childhood. How Chojiro copes is by doing his best to be a perfect part of the system, even when it is clearly hurting both himself and those he cares about. Which is by turns tragic and frustrating, and while he is 100% Team Enju by the end, he doesn't really apologise.
The route also leans super hard into the "older male relative" incest vibes (cousins don't always feel super incestuous to me but these two do)
Also, for a romance, a surprising amount of the plot involves them not being together. I saw one reviewer describe it as like watching Naruto: lots of ninja drama, not much romance. Some of the tragedy is a bit gratuitous, too.
But I managed to roll with all that and enjoy it.
Content Note: Suicide
A little more detail on the incest vibe, no spoilers:
It helped, for me, that he's only 23, and his Sensible Grownup mask cracks a little by the end. But there's no corresponding "he doesn't still think of her as that little girl he babysat" arc because he totally does and they're both into it.
My reactions, includes spoilers:
A little conversation where a builder is happy that paranoid rich people are hiring him to improve their fences even though it won't help against Goemon. I like the little bits we see of regular life for the common people, it's all mostly exposition but they are given a little character.
Following a walkthrough from the start so I'm deliberately alienating everyone except Chojiro, but once again the difference between "good" and "bad" choices is pretty minor.
Aww but I had to ask Gekkamaru if he was slacking on the job. He would never.
Ah, interesting! I haven't hit the path split yet, but there's already a divergence: this time Enju goes to help find Goemon while Kyara and Kuroyuki help Hanzo defend Ieyasu Tokugawa. I guess it splits based on which of (Gekkaramu or Chojiro) vs (Hanzo or Kuroyuki or Goemon) you have more points with.
Kuroyuki is less enthused about working with Kyara than he was about Enju. She's your hot childhood bff too, Kuroyuki!
After Chojiro and Enju meet Hanzo, Chojiro asks Enju if she's curious and takes very little prompting to talk about how cool and great Hanzo is and how glad Chojiro is he escaped the war by being sent (sold??) to the Tokugawa as a talented 12 year old. This is more endearing with the mental image of Chojiro as an adorable 2 year old looking up to big brother Hanzo.
Chojiro: Compared to him I am nothing as a shinobi.
Enju: That's not true you're super cool and I want to be just like you so I can stand by your side!
Chojiro: ... :)
Bluh the skip function thinks I haven't seen the scene with Hideyoshi in the cart because it's in a different branch. BUT I HAVE. Ah well, it should skip in future now.
Interesting, looks like there was no second assassination attempt on Tokugawa this time, so the plot just focusses entirely on finding Goemon.
Who I really hope isn't going to get boiled in oil now I'm not on his path /o\
And now I'm on the actual Chojiro path!
Enju is going undercover as a maid from a Nice Samurai Family at the estate they think is going to be stolen from by Goemon.
Gekkamaru: I wish I could dress as a woman and do it for you ;_;
Ennosuke: Ew.
Kuroyuki: Lol, do it!
Kyara: Hot, amirite Enju?
Enju: Totally.
Gekkamura: Really??
Enju and Kyara: Lol no.
Hmmph. I support you dressing as a woman, Gekkamaru.
Enju and Chojiro work together to get the letter, and are both very pleased with each other's competence. Afterwards she runs to meet him happily and remembers how he used to quietly walk her home from training when she was little. And then it turns out he was reminded of the same thing.
Enju: Are you saying I'm childish?
Chojiro: I'm saying I find you adorable...never mind. Let's deliver the letter.
Aw the key to persuading Deputy Maeda is that Enju successfully replicated Goemon's handwriting. Go Enju!
Naturally, when Enju asks Chojiro to go sight-seeing he says he's planning on doing paperwork and she should go have fun without him, but he seems happily surprised by the request and is persuaded to help her buy a present for her dad (his uncle/boss lol) They haven't spent much time together off the training fields since she was little, and she wants to be closer.
He suggests a handkerchief shop, but is awkwardly unable to muster any opinions on aesthetics.
Chojiro: You must care for your father very much, you look so happy shopping for him :)
Enju: I wasn't thinking about Father, but about...you. It's a gift to thank you for all your help. Thanks to you, maybe now Father will see me as useful.
Chojiro: You should give yourself more credit. And I try not to own things like this.
Enju: Handkerchiefs?
Chojiro: Things that matter. But I will treasure it. Though when I think of how you smiled when you bought it I feel a little shy.
He mutters to himself that he shouldn't misunderstand.
This is kinda cute in a MASSIVE DADDY ISSUES kinda way. She has had to stop herself grabbing for his sleeve like a child multiple times ahaha /o\
AND THEN HE GRABS HER WRIST SO HE CAN HOLD HER HAND. "Because you reached out for me. And I wanted to"
He reminisces about how she used to pretend to be asleep as a child to stay in his room.
Chojiro: You bewilder me. I've tried not to hold anything dear, because the more you care the more it hurts when you lose it...
She encourages him to treasure things, saying they are in a time of peace, and he says that then he will spend more time out with her.
(Also his hair seems to be canonically purple)
Now for the less shippy version of the catching Goemon scene. PLEASE DON'T DIE GOEMON. I'M SORRY I CHOSE INCEST MURDER ANGST THIS TIME IT'S NOTHING PERSONAL.
"I wouldn't know, but isn't that what shinobi wear?" Nice attempt at deflection, Goemon.
(Part of me's all GRAB HER AND RUN BEFORE THE PLOT DRAGS YOU BOTH DOWN)
...this dialogue seems to be largely identical but it won't skip uuurrrghhh...
Chojiro is incredibly proud of Enju, who has never used the ninjitsu he taught her successfully before. I think this is the first time we get the "I understand you best, as your cousin and teacher" line, which becomes a a repeated theme.
Chojiro: That was your mother's ninjitsu. Not everything from Iga has been lost. *touches her cheek* Enju, to me you are...
But they're interrupted. And we later see him staring at his hand, not knowing what it was he was going to say. "I have long given up on wanting. Yet I keep reaching out to her..."
(He said some other stuff but I forgot and the log is giving me future scenes again >:( )
Ooh, Hideyoshi got stabbed this time! They even had a different, blood-soaked CG! Last time he was...idk, strangled? It was unclear.
Gekkamaru: She's taking a long time :(
Ennosuke: Maybe they're having sex ;)
Gekkamaru: I'M COMING ENJU-SAMA D:
Kyara: He was just joking! She's fine, right Brother Chojiro?
Chojiro: ...something's wrong.
Mitsunari Ishida arrives. He seems to respect and trust Chojiro to stay put even though Enju is "not coming back tonight, for reasons I can't explain right now". Gekkamaru is determined to find her right away, so Chojiro knocks him out, which increases Ishida's approval.
Still not sure how I feel about Ishida. He's obviously willing to do some shady shit, but so is...pretty much everyone else.
Ennosuke is sent with a letter from Ishida to Enju's dad Kando.
Kando: This is very bad. The whole village could be in danger.
Ennosuke: Is Enju ok????
Kando: Enju is fine. Take this reply to Minister Ishida, and then this letter to Chojiro.
Kando, muttering to himself: Enju, this is for the good of the clan, forgive me.
Me: Aw, he does care about her at least a little!
Kando: Bwahahaha >:D
Me: ...never mind
Part of me wonders if he he's not even her biological dad, somehow. I mean the only other option that comes to mind is Hanzo and if that was true people wouldn't be only giving incest warnings for Chojiro. Similarly for Tokugawa. So let's say...Mitsunari Ishida! Not that biological dads can't be evil in otome, but there's obviously SOMETHING hinky going on with his marriage.
Anyway. As Enju sits in her cell I wonder if Chojiro will DISOBEY ORDERS and visit her or even HELP HER ESCAPE. (EDIT: lol)
Enju: I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment as a disciple...
But then she hears a familiar voice. It's...GOEMON! Makes sense, she did just get him arrested.
Goemon: It was getting boring down here, it's nice to have someone to talk to. Though...you're probably not happy about being in prison. Want to talk about your troubles?
Aww, he's still being a sweetie. She doesn't feel guilty about catching him but is happily surprised that he's being so nice about it.
He thinks Hideyoshi being stabbed like that was significant, but doesn't explain why.
Gekkamaru has woken up and he and Chojiro are all set to have a nasty fight when Ennosuke returns. But seeing the letter grips Chojiro with more fear than he has ever felt in any battle. His hand itches with a premonition of something bad about to happen.
Chojiro, reading: Last night, Hideyoshi was killed...by Ueno Enju...
Ennosuke: Why would she do that??
Chojiro, raising his voice for the first time all game: I DON'T KNOW D:<
Kuroiyuki: I don't believe it!
Kyara: What are our orders? To rescue her?
Chojiro: ...to return to Koga. He says he has cut ties with her to protect the village, and she is no longer a Koga shinobi...
Kyara: What are you going to do? If we leave her here she'll be executed!!
Chojiro: Those are our orders. If Koga is suspected of treason, we will be destroyed. Just like Iga.
Of course Gekkamaru isn't convinced by this, and Chojiro lets him leave, though it means he is now also no longer part of the Koga.
Chojiro silently wonders what he would do if he was free, but tells himself such thoughts are pointless, as he digs his fingers so hard into his palm it bleeds. Gekkamaru is the only one who can save her now.
Bittersweet flashback to Chojiro and Enju sparring and WTF HIS WEAPON IS THE SIZE OF HIS WHOLE TORSO
Goemon asks if Enju wants him to help her get free but she doesn't think it's a serious question. He asks about life in Koga, happy to hear it's peaceful, and she ends up talking about how much she respects and is understood and encouraged by her 'teacher from Iga' (who I'm not sure Goemon knows is Chojiro yet)
Just as Goemon is about to argue that she clearly has things to live for and maybe should come with him...Gekkamaru shows up and breaks her out! ...and there's Goemon, who just escaped his own cell.
Goemon: Just when I was about to be the hero. Well, since we're all free, why don't we run away together :)
Gekkamaru is dubious but Enju says Goemon is nice, and Goemon points out he actually knows his way around the country.
Was not expecting the Gekkamaru/Goemon roadtrip on a route involving neither of them, I see what people mean about the plots being repetitive. On the plus side, Goemon is not being boiled in oil!
Enju is heartbroken to hear that her father disowned her and Chojiro was so willing to go along with it, even while she understands their reasons. She tries to tell the two guys she's too dangerous for them to be around but they won't budge.
I am vaguely recalling seeing someone (possibly
scytale) say this route starts out promising and then the middle is BORING and ANNOYING and uh...yeah I can see it shaping up that way. Oh well.The other Koga students are sad. Chojiro reveals that Kando specifically said it would be ok to let Gekkamaru go if he insisted.
Kuroyuki: But he'll obviously be able to free her...why order the rest of us not to help?
Kyara: So that Enju would be saved, but Koga wouldn't be responsible! He DOES care :D
Ennosuke and Kasami: Yay ^_^
Chojiro silently thinks Kando doesn't care about Enju at all, yet he desperately wants to be able to believe that she will be ok, and part if him wishes he could have been the one to save her (would you have, though, dude).
The combination of repeated scenes I can't use the automatic skip on with an unreliable dialogue log is QUITE ANNOYING. I'm going to use the "skip everything" function and just hope I can judge what scenes to skip without missing anything, using quicksaves to go back if I screw up. Let's see how that goes...
*skips a council of elders scene because UGH they are SO ANNOYING*
Gekkamaru and Goemon compete to see who can bring back the best food for Enju to cook. She's not as good at cooking as either of them but they're teaching her and SHE'S THE GIRL I GUESS. The three of them are happy together despite being on the run.
Back in Koga, the villagers are all gossiping about how Enju is an Evil Criminal Now. Because that's what Kando says she is.
Kasumi, Ennosuke, Kyara, and me: >:(
Chojiro is going on mission after mission, unsuccessfully trying to outrun his thoughts of Enju. And Kuroyuki has gone off somewhere (probably to meet up with Enju, if it's like Goemon's route)
I forgot to mention on the Goemon post but Kuroyuki didn't show up at the end, and was supposedly still back at Koga. I get the feeling there's THINGS going on there.
Kando gives a speech to the village.
Kando: Enju is an unforgivable criminal who should be punished.
Chojiro and his students: >:/
Kando: And now she has run away with Gekkamaru.
Chojiro etc: :D
Kando: Which has implicated us, so now armies will come to destroy us just like Iga >:(
Chojiro etc: :( ???? Wasn't this what you wanted ???
Kando: But Minister Ishida has generously offered to forgive us if we bring him their heads!
Chojiro: (This must have been his plan all along. But I am a Kogo shinobi. I will obey orders)
Kando sends Chojiro and his students? Including KASUMI?? Not sure if this is some plan or just narrative convenience.
Also their full names are Chojiro Momochi, Ennosuke Yamakura, Kyara Mikumo, and...Kasumi. Maybe she's an orphan or something.
Chojiro accepts blankly on his own behalf but argues that he can do this alone, wanting to spare the others. Being questioned angers Kando, who says "those closest to the targets will know best how to defeat them". Kondo deliberately triggers Chojiro's childhood trauma to make him agree that this is acceptable if it protects the village.
One thing I like about this game is how cynical it is about the people in power. There's not Bad Leaders and Good Leaders. There's Bad Leaders and Only Kinda Shitty Leaders. Hakuoki portrayed it's leaders as bad too but in more of a romantic "Sacrificing yourself for honour is beautiful even if the orders are bad" way.
Outside the others tell Chojiro they can't do it and he coldly says that if they won't obey orders he'll cut them down. He doesn't mean it, but there's villagers watching, because these kids are dumbasses. The angry, traumatised villagers thank Chojiro and berate the students until they run away.
Chojiro explains that people change when they are scared, and that shinobi are cold blooded and heartless, feeding off the negative feelings of others. "This will be a lesson to us as shinobi"
He gets them to split up, because Kasumi is absolutely going to take down Gekkamaru and Enju all by herself. (EDIT: Yeah, having seen how this plays out, his plan makes no sense. Why make it two against one unnecessarily?) He is blank, feeling nothing except regret that he clearly hasn't taught his students enough detachment.
Goemon thinks it's strange noone's come after them yet.
...it belatedly occurs to me that the "council of elders decide how to find Enju" scene probably did have different dialogue I skipped past, if Koga is being sent alone. Eh, I'm not here for the politics, I'm sure it was roughly equivalent.
Goemon's being less flirty with Enju but they're still really cute together, and at this point I feel like her best bet is for Chojiro to sacrifice himself for her in a big romantic tragic gesture, and then Goemon helps her work through her grief and find a healthier love. Gekkamaru is as devoted as ever, of course.
Goemon: Your husband is really sweet on you ;)
Enju: My what??
Goemon: Just teasing. But you are lovers, right?
Enju: He's my bodyguard! Though...he has no reason to be obligated to me any more...
Goemon: *pinches her cheeks* Stop being so focussed on the past, I want to see you smile.
Enju: Wut I neher ent to et you involved
Goemon: You're allowed to think about your own happiness. Everyone else does. If you were a nasty girl, Gekkamaru would have dumped you a long time ago. Or you could choose me, I'm simple. If I like you, I'll stay ;)
Ahh, so he wasn't flirting before cos he thought she was in a relationship, but now feels free.
Enju: I never thought about why Gekkamaru stayed...
Goemon: Hey, I was making a proposal here! Why not run away with me? *reaches for her again* *has to quickly dodge a dagger aimed at his hand, and then Gekkamaru's sword* Hey!
Enju: Stop, he was just trying to cheer me up!
Goemon: No, Miss, I was hitting on you.
Gekkamaru: D:<
Enju: ...well, I'm alright.
Gekkamaru: Hmm >:/
Enju: (I'm glad they're getting along better)
THAT'S your takeaway?
Ennosuke has found them and is trying to convince himself killing someone is no big deal :( I have a vague headcanon that Ennosuke has a thing for Gekkamaru but never said anything since Gekkamaru's feelings for Enju are hardly subtle, and that certainly makes this angstier!
Enju: Gekkamaru...I don't want you being in danger because of me, you should go :(
Gekkamaru: I chose you after considering everything else. I don't regret my choice and I never will. Perhaps you can prove your innocence. I believe in you.
People currently aceing the Better Boyfriend Than Chojiro test: Goemon, Gekkamaru, Ennosuke. Kuroyuki and Hanzo are off screen but so far haven't even thought about killing her so they're doing pretty well too.
Gekkamaru: We grew up together, I'm family, put your trust in me.
Enju: I don't want you tied to me because I care for you as family.
MMMmmm. 'Cesty!
Gekkamaru: Ennosuke, why are you here? Are you on a mission?
Ennosuke: Yes :(
Enju: I was just thinking about how I wanted to see you, to say goodbye!
Ennosuke: Goodbye, huh :( *vanishes into the trees*
Gekkamaru: Oh :(
Goemon hefts Enju onto his shoulders and makes a run for it while Ennosuke and Gekkamaru fight. Enju is absolutely heartbroken, and knows that if Ennosuke was sent after her there will be others.
Kyara: If you cry so much you won't be able to fight when the time comes.
Kasume: WHEN THE TIME COMES??? ;_; ;_;
Kyara thinks about how she was supposed to go off alone but couldn't abandon Kasumi. She wonders if Ennosuke has reached Enju, since he's the fastest. She knows Gekkamaru would do anything to protect Enju, including kill Ennosuke, and there's no way Ennosuke can win alone.
Kyara: You have to be strong. And I must protect my family.
And then she leaps away, and Kasumi is left alone, sobbing.
???: Kasumi-dono, we can help.
????????!!!
Gekkamaru: Are you serious about killing Enju-sama?
Ennosuke: I have no choice! If I don't the village will die!
Gekkamaru, eyes blank: Then the village can die, for all I care.
He is absolutely set to murder the hell out of Ennosuke but is stopped at the last second by Kyara, who grabs Ennosuke and runs.
Goemon says he and Gekkamaru made plans to meet in a place called Mikawa. But didn't tell Enju... COS SHE'S THE GIRL I GUESS.
Hanzo is following them, unseen.
Enju: Goemon, you're so kind and cheerful, how did you become a thief?
Goemon: Perhaps because I am kind and cheerful. I was never suited to being a shinobi.
Enju is terrified of seeing the others, but the thought of seeing Chojiro doesn't scare her, even though she knows it would mean her death. He is the perfect shinobi, merciless in a way she never managed. He wouldn't suffer in killing her the way the others would. (Enjuuu yes he would)
Goemon guesses what she's thinking and says she reminds him of Chojiro, never willing to admit when she's scared.
Goemon: I know students are supposed to resemble their teachers, but you're too similar. The way you think, the way you fight...I wish he'd taught you how to live instead of how to die.
Enju: Then teach me how to live.
Goemon: Hmm. Well. Gekkamaru would be sad if you died. For now just concentrate on staying alive. At some point you'll probably figure everything out for yourself. You must have gotten your pessimism from Chojiro...if he was here I could give him a scolding. Well, more like a chat. You reminding me of him makes me miss him.
Game you are making a very compelling case for Goemon/Chojiro here but not so much for Enju/Chojiro.
Enju is a little jealous that Goemon knows things about Chojiro she doesn't, and deathly curious.
Goemon: Are you in love with him?
Enju: ...I don't know. I admire him, and I've been thinking about him a lot...
Goemon: You should find out. Next time you see him, tell him how important he is to you. You'll figure out your feelings.
Enju: ...when he's trying to kill me?
Goemon: I didn't say it would be easy. But remember what I said.
She gets the sense that he's getting ready to leave her, like the sea breeze from the ocean just beyond the trees is blowing away his disguise. And sure enough he says he needs to go check on something, telling her if he's not back in two hours then go on ahead.
I hope he's not going to get killed by Hanzo :(
Goemon: SUP HANZO I KNOW YOU'R HIDING OUT HERE. Are you here to kill the girl?
Hanzo: My orders are to observe.
Goemon: Observe what... D: Let me go!
Hanzo: I can't have you interfere.
Enju is alone at sunset, just like she used to be after training. She wonders if keeping someone happy is enough reason to stay alive, when other people would be happy if she was dead.
Chojiro shows himself, and she feels as if he has come to take her home. He asks why she's smiling, and then draws his sword. She thinks to herself that fighting back will be how she shows him respect.
He waits for her to make the first move.
The walkthrough says to attack and I don't need to be told twice!
"If I am to die, I want to leave at least one blow. I want to leave a mark"
(oh look I ship it again now)
Chojiro: Good. But you need to be faster. *strikes with his sword and nearly cuts her in two*
Even though he's genuinely trying to kill her, she's happy: for the first time, he's not facing her as her teacher, but as an equal. She uses her ninjitsu, surrounding him with a million cherry blossoms, then aims her daggers at his back. But he blocks the blow, and she is knocked to the ground, unable to move. She can sense his killing intent as he walks towards her.
Chojiro: Too slow. If you had been a little faster, it might have worked.
Enju: I'm sorry. It's hard to defeat your teacher.
Chojiro: Of course.
And then he stabs his sword into the ground and kneels over her, silently choking her.
Enju: He didn't even say goodbye. That's so like him. He used his own hands as an act of mercy.
There's, um. Quite a CG to go with it.
His eyes tremble, but he doesn't look away, and he doesn't stop. As she suffocates, she is happy. He's the perfect shinobi. A tear rolls down her cheek as she realises she loves him. Her face contorts in pain and without realising it she reaches for his sleeve. With a smile on her face, she whispers his name.
(Or possibly "Big Brother")
He falters, and then lets her go, eyes wide, and she gasps for breath. And then he looks around, because Kuroyuki mind-controlled him into stopping, otherwise he absolutely would have killed her. Though Kuroyuki points out it only worked because Chojiro was faltering.
*bumps Kuroyuki up the "better boyfriends than Chojiro" list*
Kuroyuki: She's bruised! That's no way to treat a girl.
Chojiro: Do you know what you're doing?
Kuroyuki: Yes. Do you? *grabs Enju and runs*
Here I got MASSIVELY DISTRACTED by getting a new phone and reinstalling Samurai Love Ballad Party. Which has lost all my data so I'm redoing Saizo, angsty ninja of Iga, disciple of [Chojiro's dad], who eventually gets assigned to murder his love interest. It's pretty strange having them both in my head at the same time.
Anyway.
As I recall, Enju was remembering what Chojiro was like as a teenager: always distant, like a beautiful but untouchable painting. She felt like he would disappear, so she was always reaching for him, but while he let her follow him he was always looking off into the distance. She thinks he was looking towards Iga, where it used to be.
She wakes from unconsciousness.
Gekkamaru shows up and apologises for having failed to kill Ennosuke, Kuroyuki laughs at how bloodthirsty he's being but is clearly also 100% up for it himself. Kuroyuki says he saw the writing on the wall and made himself scarce before he could be ordered to kill Enju.
Aw even Kuroyuki seems to feel sad about poor Kasumi being sent to kill Enju.
Enju thinks back to when Chojiro was choking her, how for the first time he was looking at her, not into the distance. She wants to ask him why he faltered.
We see Ennosuke and Kyara discussing how they might defeat Gekkamaru together.
Kyara: We really are shinobi. We didn't like this mission, but now...we're committed, even if it means killing our best friend. I think I understand what Brother Chojiro was trying to teach us now.
:(
Kyara: I want to defend everyone. I don't want to lose my friends, or family. And...I don't want to lose you, Ennosuke.
Ennosuke: ...I don't want to lose you, either. Next time, we'll win.
...yeah, ok, I thought the game would ship them in at least one route. But it kinda works for me. And it's ambiguous, they could be gay queerplatonic bffs!
Kyara thinks to herself: We are coldblooded, and feed on others. It is just as Brother Chojiro said. We try to stay alive, even if it means sacrificing someone else.
We see Kasumi with strange, bandage covered ninja from another clan. They say they do not wish to see the Koga destroyed, and will help her. She is afraid, but doesn't know what else to do.
D:
Chojiro is standing where Kuroyuki left him, confused and angsty about his own motivations. Goemon shows up, and says Chojiro is the same as ever: too much of a coward to break the rules, and live. Chojiro tries to convince himself that Goemon is his enemy, but fails.
(Also Goemon uses his childhood nickname, which was Cho-chan)
Kuroyuki explains to Gekkamaru that Koga will be destroyed if Enju doesn't die. They agree not to tell her: for both of them, she is all that matters.
Kuroyuki hasn't even met Goemon but is coldly unhappy about Enju's trust in him.
Kyara: Kasumi! You found us, great job!
Kasumi: No, I....um. I...*recites line* I heard that Enju and Gekkamaru were heading towards Mikawa.
Ennosuke: Great work, let's go!
Kasumi: :(
Me: :(
I have mixed feelings on this as a romance but it is interesting having this POV on things, instead of LI & MC (and maybe some of her friends) vs the world it's just this big sad mess. And given the setup, if NONE of her LIs tried to kill her for the clan where would be the fun in that?
Kuroyuki cheerfully suggests the three of them go to a public bath, then when Enju starts moping about their friends says she needs to get used to the idea of killing them all.
Enju: :(
Gekkamaru: Kuroyuki! Don't say that! I will kill them all.
Enju: :( :(
Kuroyuki: ...I'm here too you know
Oh god Kyara is here smiling gently, saying she has a letter from Kando D:
For a moment Enju believes it. But just a moment.
Gekkamaru and Kuroyuki quickly flush out Ennosuke and Kasumi, giving constructive criticism on the quality of the trap.
And then the fight begins. Gekkamaru and Kuroyuki are more skilled, and initially have the upper hand, but Ennosuke and Kyara work better as a team. They start to win, and Enju knows she should help, but her hands tremble and she can't.
And then Kyara charges at Enju, who can do nothing but weakly hold up her dagger, and Kuroyuki blocks the blow. He's knocked to a tree like a rag doll and vomiting blood.
Kyara softly and sadly mutters "Idiot". And then goes back to attacking Enju, eyes cold.
Enju realises she is the only one out of all of her friends who isn't willing to kill the others. She feels a deep sharp pain in her heart.
Seeing Gekkamaru and Kyara horribly injure each other, she finally prepares herself to really fight. The bloodied Kyara smiles. "You've finally come to your senses"
AHHHHHH
AND THEN KYARA KILLS KUROYUKI OFFSCREEN
AND THEN ENNOSUKE AND GEKKAMARU GIVE EACH OTHER MORTAL WOUNDS
Gekkamaru's last words to Enju are to apologise that he can't protect her any more. Ennosuke's last words to Kyara are to tell her to live.
AND THEN
THE WEIRD BANDAGED NINJA SHOWS UP
AND KILLS
KYARA
FUCK
When they all died on Goemon's route I was pretty sure it was a trick but thiiiiiiiiis feels real D:
Ninja: And now, Kasumi, do your job! Kill Enju!
Kasumi's eyes are blank as he puts her weapons in her hands. But all she does is scream "NO!" and then collapse.
Ninja: Useless. We'll just fabricate the evidence.
They turn to face Enju.
And then their bodies explode in blood...at Chojiro's sword.
LITTLE LATE, CHOJIRO.
He picks up the bodies of his disciples, and tells Enju to follow. She carries the unconscious Kasumi.
They bury the dead bodies in silence and it is VERY SAD. Afterwards she asks if he is going to kill her and he just says "not now".
I had a paranoid feeling I might have missed something in that political scene I skipped after all so I watched it and it was a big pile of NOTHING. No decisions just a bunch of endless bickering and boring Sengoku history. It ends with SOMEONE coming in with a solution to their problems.
...I'm guessing Kando, or one of his allies, saying that they can cover up the death by killing everyone who knows about it? Or something? idk.
Chojiro says he looked for Kuroyuki's body but only found a pool of blood, and suspects he was swept away in the river. All she can see is memories of her friends covered in blood.
Chojiro: Did you kill Hideyoshi?
Enju: No.
Chojiro: I see. Yet when you fought me, you didn't protest your innocence. Why?
Enju: Because I knew you were a shinobi. You know the importance of orders.
Chojiro: Oh :(
The next morning Kasumi finally wakes up, but her eyes remain blank. Chojiro makes a very bad breakfast, and says he has decided on a destination. This is the first time Enju has eaten his cooking, and it tastes like charcoal.
You know at first I didn't like that they killed everyone (on a narrative level, obviously I don't like it emotionally) but I feel like...we need to really feel how fucked up Chojiro is willing to get on a visceral level, not just know it theoretically with thwarted attempts or strangers or stuff in the past. Because it puts Enju's continued certainty that he's perfect in such sharp relief.
Kasumi just sleeps and cries. Enju wipes Kasumi's eyes, and thinks to herself that if she'd just let herself be executed at the start, the others would still be alive.
Enju: Why haven't you killed me?
Chojiro: Because I don't understand the situation.
She's baffled: since when does he delay obeying an order so he can understand the broader context??
I'm actually really into this it's so fucked up! They're just...so totally products of their environment, baffled by the thought of there being any other choice but to do as they're told.
Kasumi wakes up screaming "I'M SORRY". Chojiro gently comforts her and rubs her back.
Chojiro: You don't need to worry it's just the three of us here.
Kasumi: Just...three...
Chojiro: I mean that there are no enemies. You're safe.
Kasumi: I'm sorry...I have to kill Big Sis....or the village will be destroyed!
Enju: What?
Kasumi: Wait, um, it's not true!
Enju: I understand now. Why they fought so hard. This is all because of me.
Chojiro: Wait!
Enju runs out, ending up at her friends grave. She apologies to them, and then pulls out her dagger. She stabs down...and hits Chojiro's hand, grabbing the dagger. She feels the warmth of his body against her back, the heat of his blood as it drips from his hand.
Chojiro: I said to wait.
Enju: Your hand...let go!
Chojiro: Not until you promise to wait.
He says a bunch of stuff about his life and feelings, and how the two of them are the same. He understands her despair and preference for death over disobedience. He saw her look up at him as he killed her, looking him in the eye, and thought she was beautiful, the only one who understands him, and he couldn't bring himself to do it. He has tried to repress his feelings, but he is human underneath, and only realised how much he needed his students now they are gone. He can't lose anyone else.
She loosens her grip and realises she's misunderstood him. He tried to repress his feelings, and doesn't know how to express himself, but underneath he cares deeply and is in pain. She is immediately determined to teach him how to care about life which, uh...put on your own oxygen-mask first Enju. Looking at the cut on his hand, she sees tiny scars on his palm from every time he's clenched his hand so hard it bled.
When they get back to Kasumi, Kasumi says it's all her fault, and Enju realises she led the mysterious ninja to her friends. But who were these ninja and what did they want?
And then another ninja clan turns up and Kasumi tries to confront them to protect the others and they MURDER HER TOO.
Which I was kind of expecting for narrative causality reasons but geeeeze. Time to go to bed before they kill Goemon and Hanzo.
Chojiro defends Enju from a similar attack, and is poisoned.
Ninja: Kasumi is dead. Once this man is dead too, our job will be done.
And then...he dies, at Hanzo's sword.
Hanzo: You go too far.
Too far? So he was cool with them killing Kasumi? :/
Hanzo gives Enju an antidote for Chojiro, which she forces him to drink mouth to mouth, and says she'll need to come with him to Fushimi Castle in Kyo to get further doses. Then he helps her bury Kasumi.
Enju cares for Chojiro's unconscious body and wonders blankly whether she will be executed. Chojiro thinks she shouldn't die, like she means something, but all she wants is to be with him for as long as she can.
When Chojiro wakes, she tells him about everything and he clenches his hand.
Enju: Stop, you'll reopen your wound.
Chojiro: Perhaps it will stop the itching. Every time I feel like I am going to lose something, my hand itches. I clench it tight, but it's like holding sand, the tighter I clench the more it slips thorough my fingers. That's what happiness is to me.
Enju, holding his hand in hers: Then hold onto my hand. Then even if you lose something, you will be warm.
Chojiro: Then you'll have to let me return the favour.
He pulls her into a hug and strokes her hair, saying he's sorry he wasn't there for her after Kasumi died.
Enju: If you do that I'll cry.
Chojiro: Good. I want to be here when you cry, so you can let it out.
Though he can't cry, she can feel him shaking.
Chojiro: There's something I must tell you, though you may be angry with me for not telling you.
Enju: With you? Unlikely.
Chojiro: ...I feel it's possible. I used to think over everything I said, as part of my duty as a teacher. But it might be better not to calculate with my words, and stay quiet when I am uncertain. I want to talk as much as possible during the time we have together. Since it was my words that managed to keep you from taking your life.
She never realised how much of what he said was a front. See, game, you're not 100% selling me on the "she understands him best" thing, but I guess maybe everyone else understood him even worse.
Chojiro: I have decided to protect you and help with whatever burdens you are carrying. Because you are doing me a favour, staying here because I asked you to. I will do what I can to lessen any pain you have. Just thought you should know.
When I went to sleep what I wanted was for him to apologise for his role in fucking up everyone's lives. But "I owe you happiness for asking you not to kill yourself" is certainly Something.
Chojiro: So many things about this situation are suspicious...even Goemon said something similar.
Enju: Oh yes, you two know each other.
Chojiro: Did he say something strange to you?
Enju: ...well, he hit on me a few times.
Chojiro: ...of course he did. Well, despite his shortcomings he's a sharp man. I should have listened to him when he said things didn't add up.
Goemon, in the distance, having sensibly gotten as far away from this clusterfuck as possible: SEE. IF YOU'D ALL JUST LISTENED TO ME AT THE START...
Aw, Chojiro still doesn't know what's going on, which is why he never said anything, but now he's telling her what on his mind even when he's uncertain.
Chojiro: I like sharing a meal with you, it's like we're married.
Enju: !!!!!!!
Chojiro: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable by implying we're like a couple.
Enju: No I...liked it.
Chojiro: What. Is that true?
Enju: ...
Chojiro, sharply: Answer me, Enju!
Enju: Don't use your teacher voice, that's unfair!
Chojiro: I'm sorry, I'll ask like your cousin. Enju, tell me if it's true.
Enju: That's not much different!
Chojiro: R-right >.> Then I will ask as a man to a woman.
He moves closer and his voice gets low and she is very into it. She says the idea of them being together makes her happy and he smiles but doesn't tell her how he feels.
Later he tries to tell her more about his childhood, since she wants to know, but he's awkwardly bad at talking about himself. So she asks instead what he was going to say to her before, "Enju to me you are...". He says he thought about it over and over afterwards and realised he didn't know. But he does now.
Chojiroooo just tell her you lovvveee herrrrr
Hanzo is escorting them to Kyo but keeping his distance. I think he doesn't want to be a third wheel lol. I wonder how he felt, carrying Chojiro's unconscious body, remembering the toddler he used to babysit.
Chojiro is still weak from the poison.
Enju wishes she had time to find someone else to take care of Chojiro after she dies. ENJUUU
Chojiro says he's finally realised how important she is to him, that she always was at the centre of things even when he tried not to want anything, and they hug.
Enju: Thank you for bringing us to Kyo.
Hanzo: ...you don't have to thank me :(
Afterwards he mutters to himself "You life wasn't mean to be used this way".
Waiting for them...is Kando D:
Enju prostrates herself, not knowing how she can possibly apologise. HONEY.
Kando: You have done well. But you are my daughter after all. The game was intended to continue to the end, but you have impressed him well. Chojiro, you have done well too. I would have expected you to be faster but...what matters is that the client is happy.
IS THE CLIENT HIDEYOSHI. IS THIS ALL SOME BULLSHIT TEST
FUCK
IT IS
Hideyoshi: Hahaha that is the expression I was hoping for! Shinobi, veterans of bloody battles, gaping like fools :D
YOU'RE THE ONE WHO GOT THEM COVERED IN BLOOD HIDEYOSHI
HOLYYY FUCKKKKKK IT REALLY WAS A GAME
THE STUDENTS AND CHOJIRO ALL GOT ASSIGNED TO DIFFERENT ELDERS
WHOEVER KILLS ENJU WINS
When he saw Enju defeat Goemon he decided she was 'worthy of the stage she would be put on'
(Also that really was a dead body. It was his body double, who Hideyoshi presumably knew well, but he just thinks his trick was hilarious)
Chojiro remembers Kyara thinking Kando encouraged Chojiro to let Gekkamaru go out of compassion for Enju, and makes an inarticulate sound of pain.
Hideyoshi tuts about the lords who used their own ninja to cheat. Cheating is bad! Oh and Hanzo was the referee. No wonder he was too ashamed to talk to Chojiro and Enju afterwards. *bumps him down the better boyfriends list*
Chojiro and Enju: *silently vibrating with fury and grief*
Hideyoshi: We were going to play until you were killed but then I heard you killed FOUR of the players yourself! Very well done!
Enju: (...they killed each other. And for what???)
Enju: How could you??
Chojiro silently puts his hand on hers. She must bear with this for now.
OH GOD.
HIDEYOSHI WANTS THE TWO OF THEM TO FIGHT TO DEATH IN FRONT OF HIM
MORE ENTERTAINING THAT WAY
Hideyoshi: You've been very inspiring, the way you cling to life so tenaciously. If you survive, I'm not going to pick a guardian at all and will just keep ruling while my son grows up. So you must bring your all to this fight, to inspire me to live on!
Kando: he is very generous. You will fight well tomorrow, and the winner will be well rewarded. As will Koga, you have my thanks :)
To Enju, his smile looks like a slimy smirk.
Enju: Father, are you saying you sacrificed our lives to entertain Hideyoshi?
Kando: Of course. You are shinobi. You live only to fulfil your master's orders.
Enju: Then what of our friends lives?! Did they mean nothing to you?
Kando: Do not raise you voice. You forget what a shinobi is supposed to be. They should be proud that they were of some use to their master. Isn't that right Chojiro?
Chojiro: D:<
Kando: You want this, don't you? :) *dangles antidote*
Chojiro: That won't be necessary.
Kando: Then we'll see how you fight without it :) *leaves*
Enju: If that's what a shinobi should be then I...I...
Chojiro silently comforts her.
Enju is silently disgusted as maids primp and pamper her so she "looks her best".
Hideyoshi's rule, Koga village, it all seems rotten to her now. All she wants is Chojiro. She calls his name and he softly drops from the ceiling.
He says he has something to say but has trouble with the words. Then he finally finishes his sentence: You're my everything. I don't want to be your teacher or your cousin, I want to be your man. Because of you, I don't fear anything.
Enju: Brother Chojiro...do you mean to die? Do I have to keep living without you?
Chojiro: You confuse me. Come here.
He kisses her and whispers "When I touch you, I want more" and I'm not sure if he means sex or life.
Chojiro: Because of you, I fear death. That's what I wanted to say to you. You make me want to live.
He becomes weak due to the poison and the two of them lay down. She keeps him warm until the dawn.
The next day they face each other, weapons drawn, and Enju thinks back nostalgically to the day he tried to kill her. Back then they fought for what they believed in.
For a while, they spar, both taking it seriously but also being easy on each other, while Enju thinks about her feelings, and what they've been through. Chojiro is weakened, and obviously intends for her to kill him.
And then she throws her weapons to the ground and says "Brother Chojiro, you're not going anywhere!" She uses her ninjitsu to surround them in petals and throws herself towards him. He drops his sword and catches her. And then they run.
Just as they're surrounded by guards with no escape...THE ROOM FILLS WITH SMOKE. IT'S GOEMON.
BEST BOY
At the gate they meet a furious Kando. They EMBARRASSED him!
But he is held back...by KUROYUKI!!! WHO IS NOT DEAD!!!!
(I had a tiny hope since no body but yaaaay)
Kuroyuki wishes them well but looks like he'd be happy to attack Kando just for fun anyway. I am...not sure Kando is getting out of this alive. SUCKS TO BE YOU, KANDO.
Just as the poison makes Chojiro stumble, Hanzo drops a bag of the antidote in front of them. And then they are free.
Enju says she'll defend the still sick Chojiro from any attackers, and he says that if she wants, they can travel to the sea. All he wants is to go somewhere far from Koga, where he can be a human rather than a shinobi. But one day, they will return to the grave of their friends and pay their respects.
And then he asks if she wants to marry him.
Enju: I...think I made my feelings clear >.> But yes, I love you dearly.
Chojiro: I'm glad. Even if our feelings aren't the same. There are many forms of love...
Me: WTF
Chojiro: I am not just in love with you. You are my everything.
Me: OK GOOD
They talk about their feelings some more and then make out.
THE END
You know, I really was thinking he'd apologise or at least express some regret about raising these kids to die. At least once! But I'm pretty sure he didn't! He was sad they died, but as much for himself losing them as for themselves. Ah well. I was also expecting him and Enju's "Maybe being a ninja is bad actually" realisations to be more explicit but they were both pretty clearly implied. I'm glad I played Goemon first, since that had all the clear and explicit "MURDER IS BAD. THE NINJA SYSTEM IS BAD. RAISING KIDS TO SACRIFICE THEMSELVES IS BAD" I could want.
There's a lot of implicit critique of toxic power structures and how they hurt people but zero attempt to fix those structures or even really address the character's own complicity.
Chojiro...really is a shitty boyfriend. He loves her and they make each other happy but yiiiikes.
But idk, in the context of the whole game...I like that we have an LI who buys into being a ninja 100%, who is Enju's ideal of what a ninja is, and doesn't immediately throw all that to the wind to save her. It doesn't make him look good but creates a contrast with the others.
This route exemplifies the way toxic power and family structures perpetuate themselves, even when people are trying their best to be good, and to care for each other. An idealised father figure who never entirely stops being a father figure, but vows to be a better one, and is revealed to be more human and young and hurt than his perfect persona.
And regardless of how they see each other, to me they both seem like sad hurt children only just learning to see themselves as people.
I think next Kuroyuki, since whatever his other flaws he's certainly committed to Enju from the word go, and I need a break from "older male relative she grew up with".
Curious to know if Hanzo manages to beat Goemon for Best Boyfriend, I suspect Gekkamaru and Kuroyuki...will not.
First....uuurrrrgghhhh should do the bad end. MAYBE I'LL REPLY TO MY COMMENTS ON THE EARLIER POSTS FIRST.
I hope she kills him. I didn't mind her being fridged for Goemon, since it showed how he'd become so utterly devoted to her that he'd let go of his pacifism. But it would feel gross on this route.
Every time I stream this from the Windows machine in the kitchen there is a moment before the sound switches over when the company's logo plays this sound like a reversing drain and it gives me a start every time.
BAD END
Oh look. It's Kasumi...and everyone...yayyy /o\
I guess they can't get MORE dead on the bad end. Of course, Kuroyuki and Goemon can...
During their escape, Gekkamaru sees Enju's despair and says "Am I not enough? You can reach out to me when you need it."
Sorry Gekkamaru :(
Enju tries to pretend to Chojiro that she doesn't want to cry, and he holds her and says "We don't have to try so hard".
Everything is basically the same until the final battle. Enju can tell that Chojiro plans to let her win, and is determined not to lose him this way.
But this time she just stands still, not dodging his next attack. His sword stops at her throat.
Chojiro, abandoning his sword: Don't you understand? Nothing has scared me more than the feeling of your pulse weakening against my hand. I can't do that again.
OH GOD. She says some stuff about being happy as long as he's by her side, and how her ninjitsu will bloom it's most beautiful today, and puts a dagger in his hand, and her own blade to his heart.
The petals surround them and then they kill each other, with smiles on their faces. A rain of crimson petals fills the castle, revealing two lovers, finally free.
THE END
;_;
The bad ends seem to involve her loving the LI but not trusting the relationship enough to think of a way out of The Final Confrontation. Which is a logical consequence of being someone who makes a lot of relatively lukewarm responses.
Bonus Scenario 1:
Kuroyuki and Gekkamaru try to cheer up Enju by talking about cool places they've seen on missions, especially the sea. Enju thinks it's sounds beautiful, but can't quite imagine it.
It feels like the sea is a symbol of freedom on this route: beautiful and distant and always slightly out of reach.
I really can't tell if Kuroyuki saying he wants to share Enju and teasing Gekkamaru about being into her is supposed to make me think he's hinting at a threesome or if all the pseudo-incest is getting to me.
Bonus Scenario 2:
On the way to Kyo, Enju cooks Chojiro fish, and they discuss her teaching him how to cook, with bittersweet hope of having a future where that's possible. It's pretty cute.
no subject
Date: 2020-10-21 06:07 am (UTC)Aw the key to persuading Deputy Maeda is that Enju successfully replicated Goemon's handwriting. Go Enju!
I really love the two of them, and how he finds this grudging respect for her and how earnest she is!
Me: Aw, he does care about her at least a little!
Kando: Bwahahaha >:D
Me: ...never mind
I had that same reaction! I know it's partly awkward writing, but I'm amused by the idea of Kando as someone who practices his villain lines to himself. It's important to his self-image.
*skips a council of elders scene because UGH they are SO ANNOYING*
Every one of those scenes:
Persons 1-4: We should kill Enju with our personal ninja clans! or "We should each get a personal ninja from the Koga and COMPETE to see whose sponsored ninja wins":
Ieyasu: You're all terrible, and also my ninja is cooler than every one of your ninja combined.
One thing I like about this game is how cynical it is about the people in power. There's not Bad Leaders and Good Leaders. There's Bad Leaders and Only Kinda Shitty Leaders. Hakuoki portrayed it's leaders as bad too but in more of a romantic "Sacrificing yourself for honour is beautiful even if the orders are bad" way.
This in an interesting point!
People currently aceing the Better Boyfriend Than Chojiro test: Goemon, Gekkamaru, Ennosuke. Kuroyuki and Hanzo are off screen but so far haven't even thought about killing her so they're doing pretty well too.
:DDD
There's, um. Quite a CG to go with it.
RIGHT??? Yes, that's what I want to look back at when I think about this romance!
*bumps Kuroyuki up the "better boyfriends than Chojiro" list*
Yes! I think someone else observed that Kuroyuki is lovelier in every other route than his own.
I'm actually really into this it's so fucked up! They're just...so totally products of their environment, baffled by the thought of there being any other choice but to do as they're told.
She never realised how much of what he said was a front. See, game, you're not 100% selling me on the "she understands him best" thing, but I guess maybe everyone else understood him even worse.
Okay, I think you're selling me on the route for the fucked-upness!
But "I owe you happiness for asking you not to kill yourself" is certainly Something.
Omfg. Good point.
Afterwards he mutters to himself "You life wasn't mean to be used this way"
D: Oh, I'm having Hanzo feelings all over again. His little tells of sympathy -- while still being very constrained by his role -- got me every time.
(Also that really was a dead body. It was his body double, who Hideyoshi presumably knew well, but he just thinks his trick was hilarious)
I've been waiting for you to get to a route that does that! Hideyoshi is...very different from SLBP. And very bored, I guess. Like, who does something like this?? Just read a book like the rest of us, Hideyoshi!
Going back to what you said, Nightshade's leaders really do suck. And do not even pretend to honor. And Hideyoshi and Kando at least seem to be in it partly because they enjoy villainy, though Kando also has the money excuse.
There's a lot of implicit critique of toxic power structures and how they hurt people but zero attempt to fix those structures or even really address the character's own complicity.
Oh, yes, I think this ends up being a recurring theme. In a weird way, I think Nightshade's redemption arcs are about moving on and changing as a person (through love, not being a shinobi, through literally changing your name, faking your death...): not angsting too hard about your past actions, moving away, and also not changing the system but getting away from it.
Which is interesting. There's a certain kind of resignation to it.
This route exemplifies the way toxic power and family structures perpetuate themselves, even when people are trying their best to be good, and to care for each other. An idealised father figure who never entirely stops being a father figure, but vows to be a better one, and is revealed to be more human and young and hurt than his perfect persona.
Oh, yes, I really like this take. I think I kind of want the fic where he does learn how not to be a father figure now! >_>
The petals surround them and then they kill each other, with smiles on their faces. A rain of crimson petals fills the castle, revealing two lovers, finally free.
I mean, I know the passivity is part of the point, but I was pretty mad about this. :P Hideyoshi is standing right there!
It feels like the sea is a symbol of freedom on this route: beautiful and distant and always slightly out of reach.
Oh, I love this! And almost a sense of boundary to the world.
I really can't tell if Kuroyuki saying he wants to share Enju and teasing Gekkamaru about being into her is supposed to make me think he's hinting at a threesome or if all the pseudo-incest is getting to me.
......I never watched this short story and now I must.
ETA: Thinking about your point that he never really apologizes -- I don't think I really noticed that! But I think it's heartbreaking, because he perhaps comes closer to apologizing with the "I'M SO SELFISH FOR ASKING YOU TO LIVE, NOW I MUST MAKE IT UP TO YOU" line.
Re: I was also expecting him and Enju's "Maybe being a ninja is bad actually" realisations to be more explicit but they were both pretty clearly implied
Do you think they actually reached "maybe being a ninja is bad actually", or "maybe being a ninja for Kando is bad?"? Especially Chojiro.
no subject
Date: 2020-10-26 03:49 pm (UTC)I had that same reaction! I know it's partly awkward writing, but I'm amused by the idea of Kando as someone who practices his villain lines to himself. It's important to his self-image.
Heh, yeah, he did seem to really enjoy being villainous.
Yes, that's what I want to look back at when I think about this romance!
cough yes I...certainly...did not start shipping it more at that point...
no subject
Date: 2020-10-26 04:45 pm (UTC)cough yes I...certainly...did not start shipping it more at that point...
:P
I think I usually tend to think of CGs as, "and those are the significant moments they have fond memories of!" (at least, up until the happy end, anything goes for bad ends), but... thinking about it, that's definitely not always the case.
I think the bit where I went "oooooh" was in the fight they had, and also when he lets her stab him.
no subject
Date: 2020-10-27 03:15 am (UTC)when he lets her stab him
Yeah that was pretty amazing.